Hallmark Channel Premiere | October 29, 2021
In this movie, Harmony loses her NYC job unexpectedly and returns home to North Carolina for Christmas. She and her ex, Kyle, end up directing the church choir for an all-important Christmas concert/fundraiser. We all know how this will end, but the movie is nonetheless a heartfelt and warm addition to Hallmark's lineup this year. The casting is fantastic, the chemistry between the two leads is great, and there are some sweet moments that remind us of the importance of church and family at Christmas. My only complaint is about the music, which should have been the star of the show, but was instead overproduced and inauthentic. Every time the choir sang, I had to imagine that I was hearing an in-person gospel choir rather than some studio recording with a lot of reverb. Despite this, it was a solid movie that I am happy to recommend.
Hallmark gets an A on: they got rid of the ding!
the casting; Loretta Devine, the church; the bad auditions; the chemistry between Ashleigh Murray (Harmony) and Luke James (Kyle); her dress at the end
Hallmark gets an F on: the over-produced music that sounds more like we are in a recording studio than out in public; Harmony's overblown outrage when Kyle tells her the truth; Carol of the Bells - very weird
Grade: B
* 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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