Premiere Date: October 22, 2021
Network: Hallmark - Countdown to Christmas
Starring: Danica McKellar, Benjamin Ayres and Jason Hervey
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis: Olivia is Connecticut’s resident expert on evergreens who, just days before the holiday, agrees to help Jack, a fourth generation Christmas tree farmer in Avon. A mysterious illness has befallen their firs, causing them to die out and threatening his family’s 100-year business. As Olivia tries to get to the root of the problem and extends her stay in town, she and Jack spend more time together and feelings begin to develop.
Review: Overall You, Me & The Christmas Trees was a solid start to Hallmark's 2021 Countdown to Christmas lineup. I wasn't quite sure how the Christmas movie season would fare considering how dismal the Fall movie lineup was this year, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Danica McKellar and Benjamin Ayres were fantastic in their lead roles and seemed so comfortable on screen together. They had an online presence that sold the movie for me. Their chemistry was apparent right from the beginning of the movie which was carried all the way through to the ending. Danica McKellar had a nervous awkwardness to her character which was relevant and made the character of Olivia more relatable.
I admit I had a couple of laugh out loud moments as this movie did offer some elements of good humour. Without giving up too much of the movie, when Olivia and Jack were out cutting down one of the trees for future observation and they run into the local law enforcement and offer an excuse of being out there for "scientific research," the comment of " is that what they are calling it nowadays" did provide me with some enjoyment. Not to mention when Olivia and Jack get excited after they realize that her compound may have solved the tree problem and they hug each other...the awkwardness of Danica McKellar's character and then the awkward high ten was absolutely hilarious.
The supporting cast was primarily good however I did find the character played by Jason Hervey to be a bit over the top. I understand that his role was to be the town jerk however I found the delivery of his lines and mannerisms to be a bit too over acted. I didn't really buy into his character at all. His character seemed out of place in the quaint little town.
This movie is definitely a good start to the season and I am excited to see what is next in store for Hallmark. Would I watch this movie again? You bet. It was certainly entertaining, believable and offered a different type of story line to your typical Hallmark movie. Yes it did have the regular Hallmark plot lines -- strong woman comes to save the day, falls in love with the town eligible bachelor, enter some last minute issue to break them apart, only to resolve and get together with a couple of mins left in the movie. Regardless of the typical plot line, the idea that she was there to find out what happened to the trees I found particularly interesting and unique. It wasn't your standard movie star, baker, long lost loves plot and this was a refreshing change.
What were your thoughts on this movie? Let me know in the comments below.
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