La maison des souvenirs

Emily Rose's great-aunt has just died and left Emily her house in Plymouth. Justin Bruening is an amateur archaeologist who has proof that the house is the site of the first Thanksgiving. It's a good set-up for a Hallmark romantic comedy and they carry it out nicely, aided by a supporting cast whose characters all know each other. No one is obnoxious; they simply want different things and that causes the conflicts. This is the definition of a good work of fiction, in which the story arises from character.

The plot is good, the writing is good and the actors are good. However, while I wish all Hallmark romcoms were as good as this, I have some issues with the production that will probably strike most people as too picky. One is the fact that all of these people are natives of Massachusetts and only Adam Kaufman has even the faintest trace of a Yankee accent; he sounds like he comes from South Boston.

The other is that they might have shot this in Massachusetts in the fall. While there are some setting helicopter shots to establish that, yes, this is Boston and yes, this is Plymouth, they clearly shot the exteriors some place else in the late spring. I spotted some tulips that looked like June and while dead leaves are scattered around, there is no sign of autumn colors. The credits indicate Simi Valley.

These are, as I said, niggling issues. Nonetheless, they prevent it from being much more than average good.

Hallmark, there are doing a good job. We have a family night with Hallmark movie's (DVR)

I give the actors an A+ the storyline B-. I'm a fan of Emily Rose & hope to see her in some more Hallmark movie's soon. there are some details or oops in the movie. I'm OK with the location's & the time of year they shot the movie. there's a lot to work around when the actors have other projects in the works.

but we got lost at the end & played it again. we still don't understand "should I open the letter" what letter? I think they made an oops in the storyline at the end. but it's still a Good Movie & Hallmark always has a happy ending.

I liked the aspect of combining historic sentiment with this Holiday. This movie also had several underlying themes and I totally enjoyed the greedy boyfriend getting his "do" while riding off into the sunset with his greedy "sidekick". Family values and the family setting are shown as true to life - all families have their issues. It is always good to look at the other side of the "coin" and this movie weaves "food for thought" into the plot. What better holiday to "bring home the family values while respecting history". It showed that the busy grind of today and money over family is not always alive and well. Today the lifestyle is losing traditions and any traditions like Thanksgiving need to be kept alive and kicking. It also gave me thought as to the real history of the first Thanksgiving and made be want to go to New England again. I wish this movie would come out on DVD. So glad Hallmark has autumn and Thanksgiving movies!

One has to wonder how much tolerance would be given these unpleasant Hallmark girls if they were fat and ugly. I don't think there would be a happy Hallmark ending because the hot Hallmark guys wouldn't give ugly girls the time of day.

As far as this particular movie - if the Hallmark girl is so unswervingly loyal to her aunt's memory, why hasn't she been around for a couple decades? The woman she was so fond of evidently died without her family at her side.

Massachusetts at the end of November? There wouldn't be a leafy green tree in sight. People would be bundled up - not flashing cleavage. But as usual - beautiful Hallmark house.

When the 2013 previews aired, I could hardly wait to see another new great Hallmark movie with a seasonal theme!

HA!

Much to my surprise and great dismay,"The Thanksgiving House" was lousy!

In retrospect, it was actually the fore-runner...the predictor...the warning...of Hallmark's 2013 line of lousy new Christmas movies to come!...(which continued in to 2014).

Considering readers have already read the plot above, I was disappointed that this movie ONLY had a minute relationship to T/g...that the house was questioningly built over the site of the first T/g feast......wow.

It was if they had to throw something in about T/g for the reason of the title...the title that alluded to the movie primarily having a T/g plot.....BUT it was nothing more than a romance...and NOT a charming one at all.

ALL of the players' parts and acting were of course consistent with the plot: pointless and boring.

I always watch the new disappointing seasonal movies at least twice for a fair judgment...but this disappointing movie did not improve. It never became enjoyable as is.