Le Roman de Noël

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 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.

The Mistletoe Inn is a vanishing breed in the world of Hallmark Christmas movies -- an original story! Probably because it comes from a well-received book.

An aspiring author has been dumped by her boyfriend who thinks he's a "serious writer", and she isn't. She decides to go to a writers' conference where she unexpectedly meets her ex, AND a somewhat mysterious writer. And thus begins a well-done antithetical romance. As opposed to some Hallmark stories which start an antithetical romance but don't have the guts to carry it forward, this one carries the conflict deep into the story, which is doing it the right way.

Alicia Witt's quirky acting style is perfect for this role, and always sets her apart from the perky, plastic performances we see from so many lead actresses in these movies. She makes the film, but is ably supported by David Alpay (the mysterious writer).

The film produces audible chuckles, which also elevates it above the average. Definitely worth watching.

I have watched 100's of Hallmark movies and most of the time I thoroughly enjoy them, no matter how corny or predictable they can be. Alica Witt is someone I've enjoyed watching, but she was downright annoying in this movie. In one scene she went out for a jog and had this silly lilting run as if she was almost skipping. Her interaction with the male lead was argumentative and pompous, and there was no reason for her to be that way. I did like David Alpay who played Zeke. The movie would have been enjoyable if Alicia Witt's acting was more natural.

I generally enjoy Alicia Witt, but contrary to the previous review I find her affectations in this film both annoying and juvenile. I don't know if it's just getting old or just this movie. By the end, both leading characters are over working their jaws. It took much away from the film for me.