Reviews

I don't understand the negative reviews for this movie. I almost didn't watch it because of the bad reviews, but I decided to anyway and I'm glad I did because I loved it. It's a movie I could watch over and over, and I don't watch many movies again unless they bring joy and hope to my heart. This one does.

I thought the two leads had great chemistry. I loved the growth in both of their characters, both personally, and as a couple. Yes, they've both had issues in their real life personal lives, but I think they've tried to make amends and they're trying to move on. Forgiveness is important for all of us. If you're bitter towards them (and it seems some of the other reviewers are), you need to forgive and move on. You're bitterness only hurts you, it's not hurting them.

I enjoyed the side characters as well. Great casting all around!

So don't believe the naysayers, give this one a try!

I'm glad I didn't listen to the other snarky reviewer who hated this movie. I absolutely loved this movie. Lately, many of the Hallmark movies seem to have cookie-cutter plots (and I still like those most of the time), but this was fresh. The actors had great chemistry, the music fit the movie very well (I kept Shazaming the songs... they will make a great Parisian playlist), and the scenery in Paris was amazing. I'm sure I'll watch it again soon, I liked it that much! Was it perfect? Of course not, what movie is. But for Hallmark, this was one of their best yet! If you enjoy music, romance, and beautiful scenery, you'll love it! It reminded me of an old fashioned romance.

I almost didn't watch this because of the other review that was so negative. But I thought the leads had great chemistry and the story line was not your typical romcom movie plot (although I like them) so I found it refreshing. It was a nice change of pace for a Monday night. And yes, maybe the setting was not actually Portland (since when is that something that matters. So many movies are filmed in other places. That grumpy reviewer needs to get over that need for accuracy because it's not gonna happen on the budgets that movies have these days), but the scenery was lovely and makes me want to go visit Kelowna again!

This was a touching and heartfelt story. I disagree with the reviewer that said the leads didn't have chemistry. I thought they had real chemistry. It took me a few minutes to get past the Botox lips of the lead actress, but I thought she did a great job with expressing grief and hesitancy and walking through healing to wholeness. Same with the lead actor. If they had had what is typically thought of as chemistry, where are they have a spark, and are all smiley at the beginning of the movie, it wouldn't have been right for the story. They had to tread carefully as they walked through forgiveness and healing and restoration. The children and the older actors were well cast, too. They were touching and very believable. With beautiful scenery on top of it all, it was a great movie. I thought the script was well written.

It's not a romantic comedy. It wasn't meant to be. I highly recommend it.

First of all, I love cheesy Christmas movies and watch many every year. I'm really not picky. Give me a cute story and a cute couple and I'm happy. I normally like the lead actress in this movie, but everyone was wooden in this movie (well, maybe the sister and daughter were not as bad as the others). And there was absolutely ZERO chemistry between the female and the male leads. I couldn't even believe they were supposed to be the love interests. After being totally bored for the first while, I finally fast forwarded to see how it ended, and it was not any better than the first part of the movie. Giving it 3 stars is very generous.

I almost didn't watch this because of the negative reviews. But then I realized the negative reviews were probably by people who really don't care for Christmas movies or want the picture perfect male and female leads. I'm so glad I watched this. It had a lovely atypical Hallmark Christmas story. I thought the leads had a lot of chemistry. Real chemistry, not the boy meets girl, "I love you instantly" chemistry. I would definitely watch it again which is rarely something I do with Christmas movies.

I've watched the whole series so many times that I've lost count. It's my all time favourite series. But whenever this episode comes on I always skip it. The annoying neighbour just grates my nerves. Nothing fun or entertaining about his personality. Which is weird because the whole series is full of characters who should be irritating but you love them anyway. But not this guy. Next!

For all my fellow Jane Austen fans, I watched the new EMMA. (yes, the "dot" is part of the title!) on AppleTV last night for the first time. So... my verdict... I liked the new version "ok" when we watched it last night, but now I'm watching it again a 2nd time since I've got it rented for 48 hours. And this 2nd time, I absolutely love it! There were things I wasn't sure I liked the first time because they were so novel, but in this 2nd viewing, I see the director's absolute genius. And Bill Nighy and Miranda Hart are brilliant! Watch it and give it a second try, if like me, you were sceptical the first time!

Edit: I'm watching it a 3rd time during my lunch. I'm truly loving it! I love the tongue-in-cheek perspective that the director gives us! Wasn't sure of that during the first viewing, but now I think it is exactly as Jane intended!

To all the hard hearted cynics reviewing this series. I'm sad for you. This is a touching, lovely, encouraging, hopeful series. Loved it. Will definitely watch it again.

Of COURSE it's schmaltzy! But it's what we want in a Christmas feel-good romantic movie! Makes you smile, makes you laugh, gives you hope that there are happy endings! Will watch again next year...which is the true sign of a good Christmas movie!