L'Héritage de Noël

A break from the usual Christmas story. This sees Finn Conrad (David Hadyn-Jones) heading off to investigate why his late father left his inheritance to Willa Fairchild (Autumn Reeser), a home nurse and mother who had been caring for him. A variety of different characters, all bring different flavours to the mix and there are some tough moments mixed in with the anticipated Christmas uplift. Highly recommended.

Throughout my whole Christmas film completest quest undertaken since late 2019, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's output. There was however always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with enough of Hallmark's output but not all.

'A Bramble House Christmas' is not a Christmas classic, but seeing it the amount of effort that went into it was more than evident throughout. Hallmark's Christmas output has been very variable, the best ones being surprisingly well done and the worst being terrible. 'A Bramble House Christmas' in many ways is one of their overall best, with almost everything done remarkably well and only a couple of things done imperfectly which was not unexpected in a way.

Have never expected much originality from Hallmark, and attempts at doing something different were quite rare. 'A Bramble House Christmas' is not much of an exception, with the story being yet another variation on a very familiar and still done to death (for Hallmark) formula. So story-wise it is rather predictable with some slow spots here and there.

Perhaps the ending is a touch on the pat side, common with Hallmark. Do have to agree too that one character's change of heart does not make much sense (if there was any explanation provided it did escape me), is revealed too suddenly.

On the other hand, there is a lot to love here. Autumn Reeser is immensely engaging as Willa, a character that is more identifiable than most female lead characters, she doesn't overdo it while also having none of the going through the motions quality. David Haydn-Jones is even better, doing sympathetic in a very nuanced way and it is very easy to see the character's appeal. The Hallmark festive films are very variable when it comes to the chemistry between their two leads, 'A Bramble House Christmas' is an example of the warm and genuine kind that develops realistically if not perhaps deeply. The rest of the cast are strong too, with a scene stealing Teryl Rothery and adorable Liam Hughes particularly impressing.

Moreover, the production values still manage to be great, one of the best looking Hallmark festive films of that year. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Most of the soundtrack is nostalgic and appealing to listen to, capturing the festive spirit well. Hallmark had a real habit of over-scoring their films but that's not as much the case here. The script just about avoids being corny and saccharine, both of which are common for Hallmark, and the story is mostly very engaging, easy to be uplifted by and heart-warming. Did like the characters too and they came over as more real than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films.

Concluding, really liked it on the whole. 8/10

An American-Canadian romantic drama; A story about a man who becomes suspicious why his late father left his nurse a large sum of money after knowing her for less than two months. A formulaic Hallmark-style TV movie, but it will appeal to most people's festive feeling, knocking many of the bigger and more sickly-sweet Christmas films out of the park. The story dries up like a leftover box of Eat Me dates by the end, but the big reveal and the predictable ending were satisfying - damn it - I didn't think it would get me, but it did! Autumn Reeser and David Haydn-Jones deliver good performances.

This is based upon a book titled the same, which I haven't read yet but might do so next Christmas. They say that books are always better, so perhaps I need to check it out and put it on my list of goals since reading is one of my new year's goals and it would be perfect to read it before we watch it again next year. We all know that Hallmark repeats their previous year's movies unless it is Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening (premiere time) when they play their new movies (during the holiday season). But about the movie, it's worth a viewing and I might watch again next year as well.

Just as I thought watching Christmas films are over, only the real Christmas is what left to enjoy, I came across with this film. This is a last moment review written in the week of Christmas eve. The reason I liked was, it is another Christmas film based on the book of the same name. I think Hallmark should adapt books more often. The original screenplays are almost nothing. No innovation, not interesting enough. But literature based films like this makes a lot sense to watch. With an artistic presentation, the depth in characters and events, the story is well convincing.

Well, the story is not new. We all know it, especially how it's going to turn out at the end. But that's not the issue. How much you are satisfied with the way it all were told matters. So apart from a good story, the actors and director too makes an impact. I think it all worked out well for this. Yet there was a small drawback that towards the end of the second act, the story dried up. I mean literally when all the important matter was sorted out, the rest of the narration till the final twist was simply a drag. A time killer with casual scenes.

-xX] Look around you, and then close your eyes. Put everything you just saw into your brain like a picture. That way, you can keep it, even after we've gone. [Xx-

Willa, a single mother and her young boy is all set to enjoy their Christmas in the Bramble house BnB. On the other side of the tale, Finn disappointed with his father who had died weeks ago, left nothing to him, but for a stranger, Willa. So he decides to find out the reason and confront her with a legal option. Now, on the eve of the Christmas week, they meet at the Bramble house and develop an unexpected relationship with mother and son. Once the truth ready to get out, what happens and how the story would end was told quite nicely.

The character Finn looked good, but with a bad intention in his mind makes a villain, at least in the beginning. The actor who played it kind looked expressionless, even when he smiled. As the story went on, he looked better. Maybe I got used to it. Because slowly his behaviour has changed, leaving us to expect, how he would react at the end. You know without making something into a complicate, there's no end twist. In this, it was his identity and purpose of meeting Willa. That character makes this tale possible. But Willa is the one mysterious until she reveal about her life, particularly the secret about her son.

One of the good Christmas films of this season I've seen. More importantly, it emotionally get us. That's crucial if the film is aimed for families. Of course not without romance theme, otherwise these things won't work, but it was not focused on that thing alone. Mixing the festival occasion, romance, and personal life was neatly done. So if you want to watch a Christmas film, this won't be a bad pick. But as I always say, this is a television film, so be compromised on the overall perspective of the product and enjoy.

7/10