Noël au château

This was an okay movie. This wasn't the best and this wasn't the worst for me. It was a little bland for me. I can appreciate the meaning behind the whole movie. I liked that the plot was second chances. Sometimes we can get a second chance but we can't always. I think everyone can relate to the plot on this movie when it comes to regret. I doubt you will find anyone that says there wasn't something they wish they could have done differently.

Truthfully I watched this movie for Luke, I'm a fan of his work. I also found myself enjoying the mother more than I enjoyed the lead actress. Again I enjoyed the plot and I think the whole cast worked seamlessly together but I won't be watching this again.

I grade Hallmark movies on a curve because I love them. And I really enjoy watching talented beautiful actresses like Merritt Patterson (especially in The Christmas Cottage and Forever in My Heart). But I just didn't feel a lot of chemistry between her and her old boyfriend (played by Luke Macfarlane). I did, however, like the relationship between the estranged couple that was part of the Lafayette Quartet.

The reason I went to the trouble of writing this review is because I really really hated the movie's emphasis on the very BIG and IMPORTANT concert that ended up taking place in what seemed like a small banquet room with maybe 30-40 people in attendance (including family). And then, when the BIG night arrived, Merritt's Patterson's character came out and played just one song. She's the "famous" headliner of a BIG concert that needed her old boyfriend to be the concert director- and she plays one song for 30-40 people???? And it's somehow a great success? With the boyfriend praised for his "leadership" as the director? What??

I realize that Hallmark movies are made on a tight budget but somebody should've invested in a CGI team to make it look like there were more people there. That same team could be used to fill out the crowds at every festival or a big event that's featured in virtually every Hallmark movie (most of which also seem sparsely attended).

And the Director and Editor should have made it seem like the headliner played more than just one song.

Most of us Hallmark fans are happy to buy into the fantasy of a love story full of familiar tropes and a guaranteed happy ending. But they need to try and make the rest of a movie like this seem plausibly realistic. They failed in this movie and it ruined the rest of it for me.

Margot is a well known pianist who is going through a rough patch, musically. She reunites with her family for the holidays. Jackson plays the cello, and they used to date. He is offered the position to direct the Christmas concert at the place where they are staying, the "Chateau", so they both come together to create something beautiful.

I like Merritt as a lead although she is not a favorite of mine. Luke, on the other hand, is becoming one of my favorites. I think they had good chemistry but not necessarily a romantic one, in my opinion. (I felt that she wasn't that into him). But I will accept all the Luke Macfarlane movies Hallmark gives us.

I know nothing about instruments, I don't know if any of the actors were actually playing them but they had me fooled.

I don't have any major complaints about this. It was such an "elegant" movie, if that means anything to you. There was not fooling around, not funny montage,, which made it kind of slow at times. . The final scene had me smiling from ear to ear. I know it's only the second movie of the Christmas season (lol, it's not even Halloween yet) but it was a good one. Nothing spectacular, but if you enjoy these, i'd recommend it.

"A second chance doesn't come along very often and when it does, you gotta grab it"

I'm confused about what to rate it, either 7 or 8. I will consult with the pillow. May change it later.

I enjoy watching Hallmark Christmas movies, for the most part. I come to them knowing what they are: they are made for TV romance movies with a predictable plot. That said, I usually enjoy their uplifting, cozy feel and their festive spirit. I also learn a lot about 'so-called' Christmas traditions; I expect some genuine and other not so genuine. I was, however, a bit disappointed with this movie. The acting by both Luke Macfarlane and Merritt Patterson was good; I typically like their Hallmark films (e.g., The Mistletoe Promise was good). The acting by the supporting cast, however, was rather weak, especially the mother and sister. Something seemed to be missing as well; it lacked the cozy Christmas atmosphere, which I love about Hallmark movies.

Like most Hallmark movies it is filmed in Canada but set somewhere else, in this case Boulder Colorado and surrounding areas. It is nearing Christmas and many families are vacationing at the Chateau.

It revolves around two 30-something musicians who were once in a serious relationship but parted when she became a world-renowned pianist and began touring the world to perform. He stayed in Colorado and eventually got his PhD in music and became a music professor. Now they surprise each other by being at the Chateau at the same time. Further their old college friend talks them into helping the Chateau put on a big Christmas concert.

Being a Hallmark movie we know what will happen and it is fun watching it get there. Just a nice, clean story and pleasant entertainment. I was feeling I was in Pleasantville.

At home, my wife and I watched it on DVD from our public library.