Un Noël impérial

I will never understand why Hallmark insists on casting Brennan Elliott as a leading man. He never connects with his leading ladies. He just always seems aloof. His best performance was as the villain in Kiss at Pine Lake, where his insincerity fits his character. Sarah Drew was wonderful carrying the movie. The rest of the cast was also very enjoyable. And the film captured the beauty of Vienna at Christmas time. Christmas in Europe is so much better than here in the States.

Jess Waters (Sarah Drew) is a concert violinist looking for her music inspiration. It's nothing more than a job now and a rather tiresome one for her. Her friend Tori Voight gets her a performing gig in Vienna and introduces her to cousin Mark Olsen (Brennan Elliott).

This is a Hallmark Christmas romance. I love Sarah Drew ever since Everwood. She's still great. There isn't much in terms of drama. There is barely a plot. It does have Vienna and that's the main attraction in this. It looks pretty. As a movie, it's rather bland. As a travel show, there is a good fifteen minutes.

I suggest that when Hallmark produces these holiday romance movies, the first order of business should be to cast two leads with demonstrable chemistry on film. Unfortunately, this film lacks adequate chemistry to make it memorable.

On the other hand, the performances of the two stars are adequate, If you overlook a poor imitation of violin finger work. And the child actors are actually great in their roles.

But the architectural wonders of Vienna cannot fix this story about two people who meet while at career crossroads. In the end, this is a romance and its most important element is the magical feeling of true love found.

She is a concert violinist, invited to Vienna to perform for a Christmas event. He is a widower with three youngsters, he represents US interests and is assigned to Vienna. A circumstance has her get involved with the children, she gets attracted to the dad, he is reluctant but it wouldn't be a Hallmark movie if he didn't have a turn for the better.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. A very nicely enjoyable movie with a musical theme.

I didn't see it until the end, but there is a little touch of The Sound Of Music...which is my all time favorite musical.

Vienna is absolutely gorgeous! Even more so at Christmas with all the lights, trees, Christmas market, candle arches, glühwein, advent candles, traditions...etc! This film is worth watching for its little bit of music history and the gorgeous Vienna at Christmas backdrop.

The story revolves around Jess, a concert violinist in Vienna for a holiday performance and a vacation. While in Vienna she looks up her college roommate who is there being the nanny to her widowed cousin's three children. The children are delightful and when Jess' friend gets an opportunity to sell her hand painted ornaments at the Christmas market...Jess takes over the looking after the three children. Being with Jess the three kids slowly start to come alive...something their father notices. Jess and Mark seem to have this undeniable attraction. Mark was raised in a military family and as a diplomat has continued the constant moving into his own life...which has been hard on his kids, especially after their mom passed away.

I loved this film and highly recommend watching it for the holidays! It is gorgeous, filled with beautiful music, Christmas traditions and a sweet family holiday romance with throwbacks to The Sound of Music.