Hallmark Channel Premiere | October 25, 2020
In this movie, Margot is a famous pianist plagued by a bad review. The review cuts deep because she knows it's true; she plays with technical skill but no heart. Thankfully, there is nothing better for the heart than spending Christmas with family at a beautiful Chateau. Add in an old college flame, cookies, tree trimming, warm beverages, and a Christmas concert, and you have a pretty good Hallmark movie.
This was a fun movie with a unique-enough plot. While it still felt like Hallmark, it didn't feel like Christmas box-checking, which I appreciate. The central story was entertaining, and the secondary plot line (a quartet that broke up years ago is reunited) was simply adorable. In fact, I was thinking about giving this movie a B, but the quartet bumped it up to an A.
Hallmark gets an A on: casting; the Chateau; the music; reuniting the quartet; the outdoor fire pits; the wardrobe; the final concert; making it seem totally normal to spend Christmas in a hotel (an impressive feat)
Hallmark gets a D on: Adam (the worst friend ever); the corny musical puns (in case you missed them, I have listed some below)
"When you played together, it was perfect harmony"
"Until we hit a sour note"
"We were dancing to different rhythms then"
"I wish we had found our tempo"
"I thought you had a change of heart." "No, but I did have a change of tune."
Grade: A (despite the puns)
* Note Grading Scale:
A = This is seriously a good movie. It will remain on my DVR for the season.
B = Totally exceeded my expectations. I'm happy to recommend.
C = This is an average Hallmark movie. Good holiday fun.
D = I'm disappointed... but I watched it. Why not?
F = I actually had a hard time getting through this one. And that says a lot.
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