I’d Watch this one Again and That’s a Big Compliment

Ably directed with flair and warmth by the famous-for-Anne-of-Green-Gables Megan Follows, this Hallmarkesque entry is why I slog through dozens of Hallmark dreck every Christmas: to get to ones like this. Even without the added gift of the award winning and still luminous Jane Alexander, this one would shine. Alexandra Breckenridge as Claire was lovely and gave a charming performance. She was so very likable. The only weak spot was the actor they cast as her love interest. He brought nothing special to the role whatsoever. Plus, to me, he was not attractive. The romance was not believable. Why would a probably 6 figure venture capitalist give up her life to run a bookstore unless the guy that came with the deal was truly special? Plus, his character was very whiney and unreasonable. I would have given this heartwarming tale a 9 or a 10 if the casting had been a bit better there. Icing on the cake was the church aspect with the (I’m guessing) Episcopal priest married to his same sex partner. Great to have a gay marriage so directly addressed.

January 23, 2019