Une carte d'amour pour Noël

Open By Christmas (2021) -

There seemed to be a lot of back story to this one that I hadn't been privy to, so in many ways it felt like a sequel to something that I'd missed, but I hadn't. This was especially true with regards to the couple that leading lady, Alison Sweeney as Nicky, was best friends with - Simone and Jeremy (Erica Durance & Michael Karl Richards). Although that didn't mean that it was hard to follow.

I wasn't actually very keen on Jeremy, so even if there had been a previous film, I probably wouldn't have watched it to see his romance develop. As it was and fortunately for me, his character was not involved that much, despite the poster for the film, which almost suggested him as a possible love interest for Nicky.

Actually, a storyline where a possible affair between the lead character and her best friends husband would be something new and I'd like to see something like that for a bit more grit and to give the story some real and more believable fallout.

Those things aside, this was definitely one of the better ones in this genre. I could easily see Nicky falling for Brennan Elliott playing Derrick and how there blossoming connection grew in to what I knew it would.

Although I generally like him, I didn't really get along with Brennan in this one though and I didn't really want him to get together with her, because he seemed a bit too cocky. I might have put her together with Reggie (Patrick Rinehart), but used Derrick to let us think that she was going that way instead. Maybe he could have been the one having the affair with Jeremy?

As I've said though, it wasn't a bad effort at all and I would definitely watch it again, although still not perhaps as often as the films starring Brendan Penny, Jesse Hutch, Luke Macfarlane and/or Travis Van Winkle. I felt that it might be time for Brennan to start looking at loving and doting father figures going forward, although he could still find love in those roles too, I suppose?

6.25/10.

The movie offers no real drama and the story is predictable, as in most Hallmark productions. It runs more like an episode of a soap opera, exploring emotions of decent people going through issues among family and friends. Do not expect strong contrasts or villains. This said, the actors are good, show real emotions and all likeable. The story is gentle, Christmas-like, credible and heart-warming. Not an outstanding film, but fair enough.

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Open For Christmas.

Story: 1.50/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.75/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.50/2

Total 7/10

What would you do if you returned home one Christmas to find a Christmas Card from somebody in high school professing their feelings of love? For me, how this plotline developed slowly sold me on the movie. Nicky's return home for thanksgiving is turned from enjoyment to shock when she learns of her parent's decision to downsize and sell their family home. Deciding to extend her stay until after Christmas, she helps them parcel up. While she's packing up her belongings, she discovers the card. But the writers don't immediately jump us into the search for her unknown love, no life goes on, and we see the friendship between old friends Nicky and Simone rekindle. Simone has her own life, which is in the process of a significant change. But as we progress and the mystery builds in prominence, we learn the card may affect Nicky's forthcoming new life.

The writers do a superb job of slowly building the mystery and the reveal. This intentional inertia allows the writers to develop their characters better, allowing the viewers more opportunities to relate to them. Then, as the mystery unfolds, the twists become a prime driving force, which works wonderfully. However, the movie is too short. The writers could've added more intrigue in a few scenes, as once one critical part gets revealed, the rest simply and swiftly falls into place. This section felt rushed and not as effective. However, the worst comes not from the story but from the casting. Stereotypical casting signposts the letter sender way before the reveal. No sooner have they walked on screen than you know it's them. And that is a waste of a good mystery and a shame for the viewers. But, even so, the story is enjoyable.

The director does a great job with the cinematography and the pacing of the picture, even though, as I said, the reveal feels rushed. He has a good eye for framing and using natural light to enhance the heart-warming atmosphere and light-heartedness of the narrative. And even though he likes soft focus and glow occasionally, it's not too prominent nor too dominant. He uses them sparingly and subtly.

The performers are excellent. How could they not be when you have Alison Sweeney and Erica Durance in the cast(?) And the supporting cast is as skilled as the leads. In fact, I enjoyed a couple of scenes starring Michael Karl Winters as Jeremy better than others. He has some brilliant lines, and his persona as a husband-and-dad-to-be is brilliantly portrayed, especially in the scenes with his stepson-to-be.

I would highly recommend Open By Christmas to all Christmas Romance fans. It's well worth your time. Get your loved one in a cuddle, sup your hot chocolate, and enjoy.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

HM is stepping up its game with this really wonderful ensemble Christmas production. There are really two co-stars, Allison and Erica - great jobs by both, but the entire supporting cast made it work. Nice work by everyone made it believable, emotional, and enjoyable. Writers delivered a winner, and the director and cast brought it to life. If you like a fuller, life-like Christmas story, you'll love this one. Postables, you have some company at last.

Despite being very mixed on the 2021 Hallmark Christmas output on the whole (though actually it was much better than expected, speaking as someone who thought that this year would not be good on the Hallmark Christmas front), there were films in the block that were pretty good and more. 'Open by Christmas' had more potential than most of them, due to its interesting story structure (which was a unique one for Hallmark this year) and that Allison Sweeney and Brennan Elliott were the leads.

'Open by Christmas' is one of those films that not only lives up to its potential, but it also exceeds it. To me, it is by some way one of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films (and even of the year for Hallmark in general) and the best since 'Christmas in My Heart'. Everything that the film was seen for was far from wasted, quite the opposite, and while it is not my definition of a masterpiece by recent Hallmark Christmas film standards 'Open by Christmas' is pretty darn impressive.

Sure, the identity of the secret admirer was not a surprise at all to me and could have taken more time to reveal.

The ending is slightly on the too neat side and while the romantic chemistry is more than convincing and heartfelt it could have featured more.

However, there is so little to fault. Sweeney and Elliott play their roles with so much nuanced emotions and also light-hearted upbeat energy, two of the best performances of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films. Erica Durance steals every scene she's in and the supporting cast all play their roles well. This is one of the few 2021 Hallmark Christmas, and overall, films where every character interested and was not hard to care for. Nobody dull or irritating, and Elliott's could easily have been. The script is heart-warming and is never too heavy or too soapy, not repetitive or talky either.

Really liked the story, the structure is different and could have been disjointed and muddled, but it was not hard to follow and it was a case of both plotlines being equally engaging and charming. The Christmassy vibe is nostalgic, while the film has lovely scenery lovingly filmed and has music that has personality without being overbearing. The Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson song was a very nice touch.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.