The Mistletoe Inn (2017)
When aspiring romance novelist Kim Rossi is unceremoniously dumped by her soon-to-be-published romance novelist boyfriend, Kim takes stock and decides to take a leap. She signs up for a romance writing retreat at a quaint Vermont Inn shortly before Christmas, where a top romance novelist is scheduled to attend and read the work of one lucky writer. Shortly after arriving, she crosses paths with Zeke, whom she initially finds to be intrusive and, naturally, ends up being her assignment partner. Worse yet, her ex is also at the retreat. Despite these bumps in the road, Kim steps outside her comfort zone and plunges into the writing exercises, surprising herself. Equally unexpected is the attraction that seems to be building between her and Zeke that promises to take her down a road she never imagined traveling. Based on the book by Richard Paul Evans.
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I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant
Horrible, fascist and poorly acted
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
I have watched 100's of Hallmark movies and most of the time I thoroughly enjoy them, no matter how corny or predictable they can be. Alica Witt is someone I've enjoyed watching, but she was downright annoying in this movie. In one scene she went out for a jog and had this silly lilting run as if she was almost skipping. Her interaction with the male lead was argumentative and pompous, and there was no reason for her to be that way. I did like David Alpay who played Zeke. The movie would have been enjoyable if Alicia Witt's acting was more natural.
I do love Alicia. She was my very favourite part of 'Cybill'. Continuity people need to be strung up from their toenails! Is it really that hard to figure out if the purse is in the shot? (snowball fight scene) Where did her suitcase go? Why is there a 'Birks' in NY??? Come on people - sharpen up! If I can 'proof read' from home, send me a msg!
Personally, I find Hallmark's movies just the right start to bringing in the Christmas Season. Sometimes they have an edge, but mostly they are good stories well told and acted. Schsmaltzey, a little too sweet, perhaps, but that's what makes them endearing and what I think gives the actors some latitude in their characterizations. While some have characterized Alicia Witt's acting in this movie as a step above her earlier roles, I find it fitting for the role. As I do her earlier work. This isn't Shakespeare, it's a series of feel good movies that stand or fall on the actor's ability to create relatable characters. I think she and her fellow Hallmark studio actors, deliver on those points almost every time. It's what keeps me coming back anyway. What is driving me crazy this year though is the set design/special effects. This movie is an unfortunate example of a trend where things like snow is nothing more than blobs of suds, when it snows, the sun is always out and shining brightly, it's as if Hallmark just gave up trying. The actors are doing their part to make these stories real. The production department could at least back them up with realistic props and effects. Bad effects can kill a story just as easily as bad acting.
As an earlier reviewer noted, Alicia Witt is the Queen of Hallmark Christmas movies.She plays to her strengths here creating a witty, warm character. She has great chemistry with her new best friend (Lucie Guest) and prospective love interest (David Alpay).The best scene in the film is her (Witt) complaining about his (Alpay) typing on a typewriter as he complains about her "whale sounds" white noise generator late one night. The dialogue is funny banter, the actors play well off each and it is beautifully shot and directed (Thank you director Alex Wright).The whole film is like that, a nice classy romantic comedy.The novelist Richard Paul Evans has a cameo in the film. Next time, let's promote him to the supporting role of Dad.