"Jingle Bell Bride" is one of Hallmark Channel's 2020 films for Countdown to Christmas. This one is based on a novel according to other reviewers. The theme of this season appears to be "diversity" because unlike previous years this film features a mixed-race couple and neither of them is white.
I mention this detail because the film doesn't offer much aside from cursory Christmas stuff. People attend parties, decorate trees and drink hot chocolate. The main character is a wedding planner, played by Julie Gonzalo, who must visit Alaska to obtain a special flower that's is grown by a florist there. Her employer is a wedding planning company that services celebrities getting married and no one else. Why there are no people in New York City where Julie works with this flower is never questioned or explained. It really makes no sense particularly considering how remote the destination is.
Julie's wedding planner employer has a few scenes. All of them are especially cheesy. How could any business survive serving only celebrities? How do you pay rent in Manhattan? It reminds of me of a child at space camp envision what being an astronaut is like.
Alaska is also questionable in this film. The leading man, played by Ronnie Rowe, is African American. He is staying with his aunt after a nasty break up. The African American population of Alaska is approximately 4%. This aspect of the town's demographic is questionable at best.
In spite its generic silliness, I enjoyed this film. Julie Gonzalo is a vivacious actress and her face lights up every scene. She has more chemistry with the camera than with Rowe who sleepwalks through the role. He has his moments with her which are memorable. You'll know when you see them. Gonzalo has a sensuous moment where she smiles at him in an erotic manner not often seen in these films. This film won't become a staple but it could become a decent double feature if either actor is in a better film.
I mention this detail because the film doesn't offer much aside from cursory Christmas stuff. People attend parties, decorate trees and drink hot chocolate. The main character is a wedding planner, played by Julie Gonzalo, who must visit Alaska to obtain a special flower that's is grown by a florist there. Her employer is a wedding planning company that services celebrities getting married and no one else. Why there are no people in New York City where Julie works with this flower is never questioned or explained. It really makes no sense particularly considering how remote the destination is.
Julie's wedding planner employer has a few scenes. All of them are especially cheesy. How could any business survive serving only celebrities? How do you pay rent in Manhattan? It reminds of me of a child at space camp envision what being an astronaut is like.
Alaska is also questionable in this film. The leading man, played by Ronnie Rowe, is African American. He is staying with his aunt after a nasty break up. The African American population of Alaska is approximately 4%. This aspect of the town's demographic is questionable at best.
In spite its generic silliness, I enjoyed this film. Julie Gonzalo is a vivacious actress and her face lights up every scene. She has more chemistry with the camera than with Rowe who sleepwalks through the role. He has his moments with her which are memorable. You'll know when you see them. Gonzalo has a sensuous moment where she smiles at him in an erotic manner not often seen in these films. This film won't become a staple but it could become a decent double feature if either actor is in a better film.