This movie was fine. It wasn't great, and it wasn't terrible. The first 20 minutes were pretty entertaining, which is unusual for a Hallmark movie, but the last 20 minutes were pretty bad. Let's just call it a draw.
On a positive note, it's a movie about embracing your own imperfections at Christmas. Candace is the daughter of a Martha Stewart-esque icon, and she can't bake, cook, or sew. I can certainly identify with this, since I can hardly keep up with what my kids are supposed to wear to school each day next week, let alone bake cookies or do something that is in the least bit domestic. (Side note: I don't recall festive hat days, ugly sweater days, pajama days, or red and green days from my own childhood. Is this new? I know that it's fun, and the kids love it, but I also know that I am going to mess this up somehow and potentially scar my children for life.) So yes, I can sympathize with this movie, and I like the message. However, parts of it are too far-fetched, even for Hallmark, and the execution is just okay. My advice is to watch this one in the background while you are wrapping presents or addressing Christmas cards.
Hallmark gets an A on: Message that perfection is not the point of Christmas; Baking and crafting fails (funny and relatable); Name of small town (Cedar Falls - a good choice); Filming a scene in the rain (it adds realism); The old-fashioned gazette office/reporter's notepad; Subtle Folgers ad (I feared that Folgers was dead to Hallmark, so it was like seeing an old friend)
Hallmark gets a D on: Wardrobe (truly terrible throughout); Tree in decorating scene (sub-par); Romance
Grade: C
* 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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