Release Date: Dec. 19, 2021, 8/7c
Movie: 'Tis The Season To Be Merry
Network: Hallmark
Starring Rachael Leigh Cook (Merry) and Travis Van Winkle (Adam).
Synopsis:
Looking for a fresh angle to her book on relationships, Merry heads to snow covered Vermont. She finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Adam.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚠🛑 Disclaimer: This review may contain movie spoilers
Review:
Well, well, well...it took the entire Hallmark Christmas movie season but Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a 5 star entry! The very last movie on Christmas Countdown 2021 and boy did we go out with a bang.
Merry (Cook) is a social media love and relationship expert trying to release a rules for love book. When her publisher finds out that Merry's actually single and her "boyfriend" noted in the book is not real, she decides to take a break in Vermont with her editor best friend. When she arrives she takes a little snooze and while sleeping "bumps" into a towel wearing Adam (Van Winkle), her friends' hot brother. What follows is a funny, electric story of Merry trying to rewrite her book of rules while using her own experiences for real this time.
The plot wasn't original by any means but the story, writing and acting more than made up for this fact. What was unique was that there were actually 3 love stories going on in this movie at the same time. I liked each one of these stories and the progression of each was unique and fun to watch. It was a nice change and was very well written and performed.
The chemistry between Rachel Leigh Cook (Merry) and Travis Van Winkle (Adam) was 🔥 🔥 🔥. This movie has to be one of the best pairings this season. Maybe even better than the Tyler Hynes/Bethany Joy Lenz pairing in "Unexpected Christmas." Cook and Van Winkle were electric. They were so comfortable and amazing on screen together it was so enjoyable to watch. They had banter, tension, humour, sparks, electricity...they had it all. I absolutely loved every second of them together. Right up to the kissing scene they had such a dynamic. Even after they had their declaration of love and kiss, they both still had to offer a cute little exchange. It was amazing.
Can we talk about Van Winkle in this movie? When I first saw the preview and saw his messy hair I was like...um no. But let me tell you within 10 minutes of watching this movie the guy with messy long hair was wandering around a room in only a bath towel. OK Hallmark....SOLD. I love the hair. He can keep it. 😉That aside, this role was made for Travis Van Winkle. He was quick, witty, smooth...he was everything. The same can be said for Rachel Leigh Cook. I have to admit that I like her in general and she was no different here. She's an A+ actress and has such a sweet innocence about her. It's that same innocence that can also deliver quick one liners, gestures and jabs. Loved her.
Overall this movie was solid. It's is definitely one that will added into rotation to watch and watch again. In fact I already did watch it again. What a great way to end the Countdown to Christmas 2021 season. This is definitely a must see movie.
Did you watch this movie? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.