Natal no Hotel Plaza

I like this holiday movie. Instead of the two main characters bickering and fighting at the beginning of the movie, they are connected immediately. I found the chemistry between the two actors very real. I love the background story with the missing tree topper and the story behind it.

Elizabeth Henstridge seems to have no life at all in this movie, making me wonder that she is only saved in Agents of Shield by the presence of so many other actors.

The film isn't helped by having the same tired "girl left on her own by clueless boyfriend" cliche.

Was this movie conceived only to get The Plaza to write a big check as a placement sponsor? Seems like it. The writers sure didn't seem to be able to get past that.

This is a lovely story. I like the historical interest tied in with Christmas as well as the blossoming romance. I'm not sure that she was totally fair to her boyfriend or that she was the most likeable person either, but he. . . He was beautiful, a deep voice and a gorgeous smile and face, probably with a body that rocks too.

Also, Bruce Davison is slowly becoming very popular with me. He works his arse off to be in all these films and I did like his characters arc in this one.

It's a charming story, with history and with traditional family values at Christmas, what's not to like?

Notwithstanding the oft-mentioned thrown in reference to Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece "North By Northwest" (1959), the movie's nod is clearly to such pieces as "Grand Hotel" (1932) and "Week-end at the Waldorf" (1945) in which the buildings almost take on the form of real characters. Although in unassuming Hallmark territory, that aspect gives this entry a refreshing change of pace, aided by the casting of a newcomer to these proceedings (Elizabeth Henstridge, in a sweetly unaffected performance) paired with a solid and likeable regular (Ryan Paevey). A good one to re-watch.

Using the Plaza as a setting was a great idea... it was beautiful! A pretty solid story too... one of the best Christmas movies I've seen so far this year. The only thing I would have changed was to have more of the history of the Plaza and finials in the movie. ❤❤❤