This opinion is probably going to down like a lead balloon, but to me 'One Winter Proposal' is one of the few Hallmark sequels to be better than its predecessor 'One Winter Weekend'. Personally didn't actually care for that film, it had its moments and good things (especially the scenery and Rukiya Bernard) but the main plot, lack of chemistry between the two leads and Taylor Cole brought things down. So expectations were not high.
Actually found myself pleasantly surprised, especially considering that and that sequels (with obvious exceptions) tend to be inferior and unnecessary. 'One Winter Proposal' didn't feel unnecessary and works extremely well as a film on its own, one wouldn't even guess that it was a sequel. Instead of amplifying 'One Winter Weekend's' mistakes and making more on the way, 'One Winter Proposal' corrects almost all of them and has other strong assets.
Will get the not so good things out of the way. Cole is better here than she was before, but her presence still comes over as cold at times. Will agree with the few that have said that the story is on the thin side, so there are some draggy stretches when things are less eventful.
Some of the dialogue is still a bit soapy.
However, there are a lot of great things here and a lot of improvements. Once again, 'One Winter Proposal' is more than very pleasing on the eyes. Especially the scenery, once again spectacular. The soundtrack is also pleasant in a nostalgic way, Hallmark films have an annoying tendency of being over-scored and intrusive but not here in my view. The dialogue is not perfect, but flows better and doesn't come over as bland or corny. The literary references are lovely.
Better too is the story, while thin and not perfect pace-wise things connect a lot better and there is nowhere near as much of a sense of "two films in one". Didn't worry about things not making sense either and there is the charm, heart and light-heartedness that 'One Winter Weekend' lacked. The characters are more interesting and Cara works much better as a character here.
Due to this film not taking her negative traits (which was her arrogance beforehand) to extremes. There is a lot more chemistry between Cole and Jack Turner and there is more of a sense of growth in the relationships. Turner is likeable and subtle and Dewshane Williams is fun, but once again the acting honours go to Bernard who sparkles. Cole's performance is uneven, but as said she is not as much of an ice queen.
In summation, surprisingly good. 7/10.
Actually found myself pleasantly surprised, especially considering that and that sequels (with obvious exceptions) tend to be inferior and unnecessary. 'One Winter Proposal' didn't feel unnecessary and works extremely well as a film on its own, one wouldn't even guess that it was a sequel. Instead of amplifying 'One Winter Weekend's' mistakes and making more on the way, 'One Winter Proposal' corrects almost all of them and has other strong assets.
Will get the not so good things out of the way. Cole is better here than she was before, but her presence still comes over as cold at times. Will agree with the few that have said that the story is on the thin side, so there are some draggy stretches when things are less eventful.
Some of the dialogue is still a bit soapy.
However, there are a lot of great things here and a lot of improvements. Once again, 'One Winter Proposal' is more than very pleasing on the eyes. Especially the scenery, once again spectacular. The soundtrack is also pleasant in a nostalgic way, Hallmark films have an annoying tendency of being over-scored and intrusive but not here in my view. The dialogue is not perfect, but flows better and doesn't come over as bland or corny. The literary references are lovely.
Better too is the story, while thin and not perfect pace-wise things connect a lot better and there is nowhere near as much of a sense of "two films in one". Didn't worry about things not making sense either and there is the charm, heart and light-heartedness that 'One Winter Weekend' lacked. The characters are more interesting and Cara works much better as a character here.
Due to this film not taking her negative traits (which was her arrogance beforehand) to extremes. There is a lot more chemistry between Cole and Jack Turner and there is more of a sense of growth in the relationships. Turner is likeable and subtle and Dewshane Williams is fun, but once again the acting honours go to Bernard who sparkles. Cole's performance is uneven, but as said she is not as much of an ice queen.
In summation, surprisingly good. 7/10.