OMG.
Almost every other line in this movie was an old chestnut like, "Well, as Grandma used to say, it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that counts." Maybe not every other line, but at least once every five minutes. And that gets tired pretty quickly.
Also, it helps greatly if a movie starts out on the right foot. ANY movie. This one doesn't.
First of all Alica Witt's character plays a famous country star. Her character is seen walking into the Grand Ol' Opry in the middle of the day, completely undisturbed by any fans. In fact, the place is a ghost town. That's not realistic on any level.
Secondly, the big song she introduces during her appearance there is one step above 'Chopsticks', a song with basically two chords, and worse, no feelings. There's no way that song would get anywhere in the competitive music business. Compare this to the opening number in 'Nashville Christmas', and you'll see what I mean. Night and day.
There's another scene where Witt approaches Hine's bar at night. She goes in, and all of a sudden it's DAYTIME. Bright light shines in from every window. O-kay.
On a positive note, the performances overall were good, especially those of the leads, especially Brendan Hines, who plays it all appropriately tongue and cheek. It would just be nice if Hallmark would reel in the stale cliches and do something a little less hokey.
Almost every other line in this movie was an old chestnut like, "Well, as Grandma used to say, it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that counts." Maybe not every other line, but at least once every five minutes. And that gets tired pretty quickly.
Also, it helps greatly if a movie starts out on the right foot. ANY movie. This one doesn't.
First of all Alica Witt's character plays a famous country star. Her character is seen walking into the Grand Ol' Opry in the middle of the day, completely undisturbed by any fans. In fact, the place is a ghost town. That's not realistic on any level.
Secondly, the big song she introduces during her appearance there is one step above 'Chopsticks', a song with basically two chords, and worse, no feelings. There's no way that song would get anywhere in the competitive music business. Compare this to the opening number in 'Nashville Christmas', and you'll see what I mean. Night and day.
There's another scene where Witt approaches Hine's bar at night. She goes in, and all of a sudden it's DAYTIME. Bright light shines in from every window. O-kay.
On a positive note, the performances overall were good, especially those of the leads, especially Brendan Hines, who plays it all appropriately tongue and cheek. It would just be nice if Hallmark would reel in the stale cliches and do something a little less hokey.