Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Movie: The Winter Palace
Release Year: 2022
Network: GACtv
Starring: Danica McKellar, Neal Bledsoe, Jennifer Wigmore, Luke Marty
Synopsis: A novelist with writer's block becomes the caretaker at an empty winter chateau to finish her book. The owner, a prince, suddenly shows up with his royal entourage, and her job as the caretaker includes taking orders from the royal group.
⚠🛑 Disclaimer: This review may contain movie spoilers
Review:
After seeing Neal Bledsoe and Danica McKellar star opposite each other in "Coming Home For Christmas," I was wanting another movie with them. They had such a rapport with each other in the first one that another movie was sure to be a hit right? RIGHT!
The Winter Palace follows writer Emily Miller (McKellar) as she takes on a temporary gig as a caretaker to a chateau in hopes that she can get some much needed inspiration for her writers block. While there the owner of the chateau Prince Henry (Bledsoe), shows up unexpectedly with a small entourage to prepare the chateau to sell before he is crowned King of Concordia in only a week. Yes during that week the Prince falls for the damsel, abdicates the throne, and finds out what he truly wants to do with his life...sculpt. Sounds silly right? Of course it is but that doesn't matter because I loved every minute of this movie.
The plot is in no means unique. A writer with writer's block has been done way too many times to count. And a Prince that is in succession to the throne but really doesn't want to fulfill that destiny and needs love to show him the way? Yeah so outrageous but that's ok because the Prince was Neal Bledsoe. ❤ But lack of originality aside, this movie works because of humour, chemistry, writing, and the supporting cast.
Danica McKellar was great as she always seems to be in these movies. I did find her character a bit ditzy however that added to the humour and charm of Emily. Neal Bledsoe...sigh. Not only was he a Prince but he added to that with a British accent...double sigh. I really love this guy and I need to see him in more Hallmark and/or GACtv movies. He was so regal, charming, snarky, funny, and handsome. This role was made for him. And the two of them together? They did not disappoint. There are certain actors/actresses that are just electric when they work together and this is so true with Danica McKellar and Neal Bledsoe. They have such a great chemistry when on screen together. We saw it in "Coming Home For Christmas" and we saw it again in "The Winter Palace." Right from the first meeting when she was in her PJs and he came waltzing into his chateau...it was amazing. The banter, humour, snide remarks, little glances...all of it was electric. I truly like these two opposite each other. And the lean in and almost kiss???❤
I have to give a shout out to the writers of this one. The banter and humour laid out in this movie was not lost. I laughed numerous times and that made it so enjoyable to watch. From simple things like noticing and mentioning bunny slippers, to the cut and paste of the newspaper and the grey scrambled eggs. So funny.
Another special mention to Jennifer Wigmore (Ms. Tilson) and Luke Marty (Fritz). They were absolutely brilliant in their roles.
A couple of critiques though...the ending was way too rushed. In the last 3-5 minutes we have some big grand declaration at a coronation. Probably something he should have discussed first with his dad and sister but nevertheless he abdicates the throne, his sister is declared queen and then he declares his undying love to Emily...all in 3 minutes. It was a lot to take in and process. And honestly I find it so ridiculous that a Prince destined to be King can, after a week, just abdicate the throne for someone he just met a week ago. I mean you lived your whole life knowing what was expected of you. If you had doubts before that, wouldn't you have done something about it? Or even if you didn't how could you just abandon your role for a girl that you played a little hockey with and had a few moments with over a week?
Anyway the positives of this movie far outweigh any critique I may have about it. Especially since the critiques are not new in this genre of film. These are just little things that we notice but very often overlook when a good movie make us fall in love with the characters and their love story. This one certainly made me fall in love with Emily and Prince Henry, and I would love to see a sequel.