Le Roman de Noël

I may be biased because for me, Alicia Witt is the queen of Hallmark Christmas movies. I loved her in this for several reasons. She does Awe and Wonder really well. She also does the weird facial expression really well. And she is great here with David Alpay. Even in the traditional early movie I-hate-you phase they had chemistry.

This story had what was, to me at least, an original concept and a great one too. It was about a man and a woman who meet at a writers' workshop. There was also a little mystery going on as to whether one of the workshop attendees was the famous romance novelist incognito. The story had one more element that is always dear to me. Kim had a true and loyal friend who went the extra mile for her. Lucie Guest was great as Samantha.

While tweeting during the movie, some real writers were chiming in that parts of the plot were hitting home for them.

I really enjoyed The Mistletoe Inn, and I find myself watching it over and over. Alicia Witt is one of my favorite actresses. I adored A Very Merry Mix-Up as well. But this was of particular interest because it is about an aspiring writer with very little self-confidence. This film has excellent dialogue, especially in the exchanges between the two main characters. David Alpay is charming. This is a feel-good movie, for sure, but its setting at a writer's conference is rather unique.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

In this film when aspiring romance novelist Kim Rossi is unceremoniously dumped by her soon-to-be-published romance novelist boyfriend, Garth, Kim takes stock and decides to take a leap. She signs up for a romance writing retreat at a quaint Vermont Inn shortly before Christmas, where a top romance novelist is scheduled to attend. Shortly after arriving, she crosses paths with Zeke, whom she initially finds to be intrusive and, naturally, ends up being her assignment partner. Worse yet, her ex-boyfriend, Garth, is also at the retreat.

I want to point out that I always look forward to any Hallmark film that Alicia Witt is in. Two of my favorite Hallmark Christmas Movies she is in. Sadly this film will not join that list.

The one major problem with this film is that it plays it too safe and it is very predictable.

Some of the locations are pretty but that is not enough to warrant future additional viewings.

Alicia Witt always seems fragile or in need of protecting/fixing...I think that might be a thing for some guys, but most women prefer a stronger character. The writer's conference for romance authors was a fun holiday twist. This movie had some good dialogue and even better one liners. It was a hate to love to hate to love story. I really bought their friendship and his growing affection. Wish we all had friends who could wiek us off for Christmas in New York! Cute, different and probably worth a viewing.

I love this movie! Alicia Witt is delightful as always, David Alpay is charming and interesting and it all comes together! The supporting characters ring true to every writing class I've ever participated in. It's also a bit of a different story but with the classic Hallmark cozy settings!