I enjoyed this movie. To be fair, I like romance movies with soldiers and/or veterans. I also like Mark Blucas. I don't know Melissa Claire Egan and it is usually the female lead that I gravitate towards, but not here. However, she and Blucas had great chemistry. Their relationship was the hook in this movie and for me that is what makes a good rom/con - screen time developing the leads' relationship.
I like that Blucas can play reserved without being cold. I think he was just right. He was a normally lonely soldier who was brought out by Egan's Audrey. Maybe I attached too much weight to his early portrayal because the lonely and reserve image kind of fell apart with the way he connected with the hockey kids, but I still think that image can apply to his experience with women.
One thing that always bothers me a little, but I give it some leeway in rom/cons, especially Hallmark, is how neatly everything wraps up. It is cliche with soldier-at-Christmas movies that everyone makes it home for Christmas. That trope was stretched as far as could be in this one. It still spawned a few tears. The story is pretty simple and obvious.
I couldn't help but think of Operation Christmas as I watched this. Blucas played much the same role in that too. As much as I liked this one, Op Xmas set the standard in my mind for this type of movie.
I like that Blucas can play reserved without being cold. I think he was just right. He was a normally lonely soldier who was brought out by Egan's Audrey. Maybe I attached too much weight to his early portrayal because the lonely and reserve image kind of fell apart with the way he connected with the hockey kids, but I still think that image can apply to his experience with women.
One thing that always bothers me a little, but I give it some leeway in rom/cons, especially Hallmark, is how neatly everything wraps up. It is cliche with soldier-at-Christmas movies that everyone makes it home for Christmas. That trope was stretched as far as could be in this one. It still spawned a few tears. The story is pretty simple and obvious.
I couldn't help but think of Operation Christmas as I watched this. Blucas played much the same role in that too. As much as I liked this one, Op Xmas set the standard in my mind for this type of movie.