Raison, Sentiments et Bonhommes de neige

5/10 - this movie stacks holiday movie cliché upon holiday movie cliché and will not be remembered in more than a few weeks

Despite not being all that enamoured generally with Hallmark's 2019 output, 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' was still seen for completest sake. As well as because of my lifelong love for Christmas and my love for the source material that the film is loosely inspired by (Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility'). Luke Macfarlane is always watchable. Despite what people might think reading past reviews for Hallmark's festive offerings, some of which are quite critical, not all of them are bad. There are above average ones out there.

'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' isn't one of them sadly. The premise sounded like there would be a couple of attempts to be different, but mostly story-wise it was typical Hallmark in the cookie cutter fashion that is seen in too many of their Christmas offerings. As far as Hallmark's 2019 Christmas films go, 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' is neither one of the best or worst, somewhere around low middle. As a film on its own, it didn't strike me as a terrible film but it is a long way from great.

There are good things here definitely, it takes a lot for me actually to call a Hallmark film or anything film/television etc-related irredeemable. It's nicely filmed and has some very eye catching scenery. There are some pleasant moments on the soundtrack.

Macfarlane is a likeable enough male lead and Kimberley Sustad is spirited support.

Erin Krakow however is the opposite. She badly overacts with no attempts at nuance or making the character more than a stereotype and the character grates very quickly, nothing likeable or endearing about her. She has no chemistry with Macfarlane, they even look uncomfortable together. All the chemistry seemed disconnected between all and the rest of the acting is nothing memorable. The direction never rises above workmanlike at best and tends to be pedestrian.

While the soundtrack has moments, it tends to be used too much and over-scored. Very intrusive too often. The script is basically the shallowest of froths, more sugary than a candy cane and cheesier than cheese gone off. The story is very dull and thin, and is also very contrived and without anything fresh. The characters don't engage or are easy to root for on the whole, especially Ella.

Summing up, very lacklustre. 4/10

This Hallmark holiday romance takes place in Chicago, where two sisters---Ella (Erin Krakow) and Marianne (Kimberley Sustad)---run a party-planning company. They have difficulty, naturally, with one client named Edward (Luke Macfarlane), who is the CEO of Ferris Wheel Toys.

I enjoy Erin Krakow, but the relationship between the two sisters was annoying. It seemed like Marianne was always dismissive of her sister. As for the Edward character, he is meant to be somewhat annoying. And he suffers from Impostor Syndrome. Eventually, their oil-and-water relationship turns to playful teasing , then to actual sharing. Still, the chemistry was somewhat lacking.

The script offers little originality, though the "Sense &Sensibility" theme is loosely relevant.

These people are wealthy, or wealthy enough. They have perfect skin and exist in well-appointed movie sets. Everything is carefully thought out, including the dialogue. They unwrap gifts on Christmas morning, and they float in an ocean of coloured paper. You don't have to think. It's made for Christmas. Who wants toi think at Christmas time? It's already stressful.

Most awkwardly is the use -- and I use this word "use" purposefully -- of the Af-Am kid, whom the leads, as babysitters, take out for fun and frolic. The attempt to be "multi-racial" is so strained it hurts. The kid seems to be in another movie altogether, one in which he has been abducted by these two white aliens with great teeth. Equally awkward is Erin Krakow, who, when it comes to dramatic turns, displays the gamut of emotions from A to B. Her facial expressions just can't stretch that far.

The only reason to watch this is guilty pleasure Luke Macfarlane. He is gorgeous and watchable, and plays the part suitably. I was in a hotel room when I came across it, and went to the hotel gym and ran on a treadmill and watched the rest of it. It was Christmas and it was fine.

I am biased I will admit. Not crazy about the two lead characters - they always act the same no matter the script.

Most of the time I can stomach the male lead. The female lead is annoying, as usual. But I liked Kimberly's character so I gave it four more stars than I would have done otherwise.