2020, Michael Robinson (A Shoe Addict's Christmas) -- download
Apparently post-release, Hallmark has re-branded this one as "Christmas at the Chateau".
HERstory: Margot (Merritt Patterson, Ravenswood), a world renowned pianist, is finishing up a big tour when she gets a bad review. In it, it said she was technically accomplished but was playing without heart. She takes it to heart, and when her latest tour venue starts to fall apart, she is given time to come home to spend the holidays with her family. But nobody goes home. They go to Chateau Neuhaus instead, cuz.... I don't why, I guess Rich People Shit?
Anywayz, meanwhile at the Chateau, Jackson (Luke Macfarlane, Killjoys) is being roped into running the Xmas Concert at the Chateau by his friend Adam (Jesse Hutch, Happiest Season) who is the hotel manager / event planner / concierge ... oh, who knows, I am pretty sure nobody writing these movies ever actually looks up "jobs in a hotel". Anywayz, Adam lost his concert director and ... well, pretty much everyone for the show, so he dumps it on Jackson, who is a music teacher in town, who is angling for a tenured position / chair of the dept job ... oh, who knows. Somehow that qualifies him to be events planner.
FYI, they are all old college buddies, and Margot & Jackson used to have a thing, until she ran away to become famous & successful and we know how well that goes over in Hallmarkies. Success BAD, stay at home being stagnant in job & love life GOOD.
Lobby based bump-into's (really, who just hangs out in the hotel lobby no matter how many "events" they have going on) sets up Jackson and Margot to work together on planning the concert, with her as the headline act. Or closer. Oh, who knows. But one pianist, a show doesn't make, so they have to find other classical musicians.
Oh, look, there is one practicing at the local music store where Jackson brings his cello to be re-stringed. Oh look, a poster on the wall for some Boulder-famous quartet that both the leads were big fans of. "Hey, are you...." Yes, he is but his quartet broke up years ago because... well, pretty much the same reason Jackson and Margot broke up -- someone wanted to stick to being small & local, while someone wanted the fame & glory & success. And no, he won't play in their Xmas Concert cuz he's grumpy man over 40. Buuuut later they convince him to play if they find his other band mates, minus the dead one. Challenge accepted!
Meanwhile, Jackson and Margot wander around .... outside the hotel doing Xmas conversation things, her coming up with new things to insert into the Xmas Event, which probably would annoy Jackson the planner if he was actually responsible for planning anything.
Finally Xmas Day comes and they open presents in their hotel room and talk about family stuff and then that night comes up. There has been a minor wrinkle as the asshole reviewer that gave an honest opinion on Margot's heartless playing shows up, but Margot makes a last minute change to the program, playing something inspired by memories of her Dead Dad. Even so, this piano schtuff is so overwrought and full of flourishes, I would never consider it from the heart. No matter, reviewer redeems herself and everyone is pleased and kisses abound, and they all live happily ever after.
The Formulae: An Xmas Event again happening on Xmas Day. I get that the hotel has to do something for people staying there on Xmas Day, but must suck for the staff. There are tree lighting and cookie decorating and walks in pseudo-Xmas Markets -- really, just a bunch of Xmas related schtuff dumped on a table. There is cocoa to be had, and ugly Xmas Sweaters. She is Big City and he is PST and in the end, she dumps her career.... oh wait, no she doesn't quite. But she will do her travelling but come back to Jackson. Also, red dress va va voom!
Unformulae: Boo, not even a PST. Well, there might be one outside the fucking chateau but we never really see it. I mean, other than the music store and a couple of trips, much of the movie takes place in the lobby of the fucking chateau. You can tell I wasn't too pleased. She does not abandon her career but will move back to ... the hotel? Oh, who knows.
True Calling? Yes, there is Christmas and there is a Chateau.
The Rewind: Nothing really.
The Regulars: Luke is a staple, and holey moley, I am not sure she does anything OTHER than Hallmarkies. Jesse Hutch is also a staple.
How does it Hallmark? This one was on a bunch of Top lists but it just didn't work for me. I mean, both of the leads are of mega Hallmarkie status so they should be selling it, but I found their chemistry weak. I more enjoyed the googley eyes made by the two older supporting cast members, from the quartet-minus-one. Also, I only recently learned Macfarlane is gay, and maybe I am reading too much into that, but maybe he is just not into this whole "straight leading man" role anymore? And while I get that Hallmarkies and castle-like structures is a common element, I just didn't like this "hotel lobby" focus.
How does it movie? Boooooring.
How Does It Snow? Can't say I even paid attention despite their being somewhat of a snowball fight? I mean, they were in a ski resort, so maybe there should have been some ski snow?!?
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