Ma belle inconnue de Noël

This is my 4th Hallmark Christmas movie of the 2020 season. I would put it towards the top of the list. I like the title of another review on here: 'You've got phone'. Indeed, most of the dialogue between the two leads was via their mobile phones. That said, it did not take away from their chemistry, I think. I thought Alvina August was great in this regard. I have not seen Eion Bailey too often in Hallmark films, but his performance was decent. The supporting cast was also very good. Again, the plot/storyline was what I expected from a Hallmark film. The movie provided some Christmas spirit, though not as strong as some of the better Hallmark Christmas films of the past. Overall, a good start to the 2020 Christmas movie season by Hallmark.

This is a favorite movie of mine from the 2020 season. I kept the recording and watched it again just last night. This time, I found a few more things took me "out" of the movie for a moment than on the first viewing, but I still give it a high rating, based off my initial reaction This is a movie for those who like quiet, gentle films that focus on building relationship gradually. There is a sweetness to the romance and to the other relationships depicted in the movie, particularly the father and son, that is appreciated. The leading actor and actress need to appear in more Hallmark films as leads. They were both new to me.

As a man of a certain age, I have come to appreciate anything that celebrates kindness, decency, virtue and honor. Most guys complain about watching Hallmark with their wives. Not me. Hallmark has been a breath of fresh air from long ago. With that said, my thoughts are this; with one exception, the cast was awesome. As mentioned before me, the new spin of having the leads instantly being attracted to each other, yet taking a circuitous route to connecting, is a nice touch. My lone quibble is Eion Bailey. The persona he presents seems sullen and disconnected, with an underlying sense of anger, to everyone around him. He musters up kindness only when confronted. Usually, when the leads finally unite, there's a sense of joy. Not in this case. Alvina August radiates a glow through the whole movie. You can't help but root for her, but Mr. Bailey never, in my opinion, generated any chemistry with her. So when the movie ended, it was like.......meh, what other Hallmark movie have we got recorded. Even so, the movie was quite good. I just don't believe I'll watch it when it hits the rerun cycle later

6/10 - small town baker meets sweet single dad in this better than average Hallmark holiday feature

The heroine was charming but the actor that played Josh, the hero, was miscast. First of all he seemed that he did not want to be there. He said his lines in a completely disinterested manner. He was very sexy, don't get me wrong, but he seemed better suited for a western, or an action movie. Very dangerous and swashbuckling. Just didn't seem right for the part of a loving and patient single dad and small town guy. I'd be interested to see if he is cast in any other Hallmark type movies. I'd definitely watch, cuz like I said..... but hope he'd be in one that incorporates his look a little better.