Christmas at Holly Lodge (2017)

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The first must-see film of the year.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I love Christmas movies. I especially love Hallmark Christmas movies. This was no exception. I've watched this movie several times now, and I enjoy it every time. There are a few inconsistencies that you need to overlook (for instance, Evan is able to drive the sleigh from town to the inn and then from the inn partway out to the woods but then is suddenly unable to drive it and Sophie must take over????) but they're minor and don't interfere with your overall enjoyment of the story. And I like that, while still being formulaic, it manages to avoid some of the typical cliches (Evan doesn't have to quit or be fired in order to help Sophie) I've come to expect. And I liked the way the ownership of the inn was resolved. All things considered, this was for me I think the best of the new Christmas movies this year. Loved everyone in the cast, loved the subplots with the different characters, and I really wish that Jordan Bridges would become a new member of the Hallmark "stable." He makes a great Hallmark leading man.

It was exactly what you would expect from a Hallmark movie. The recurring song; I swear it's the song from 1983 movie "Somewhere Tomorrow" called"You Brought Me To Loving"... Anyone else think so??

I fell in love with Alison Sweeney watching DOOL in the 90's when she was the conniving monster Sammi Brady, so she can do no wrong. Still after all these years she looks good in a tight pair of jeans. Young ladies should take notes. Overall, the story is good with good supporting characters. I'm just not buying this guy Evan he looks way too young for her. Couldn't get past that.

Alison Sweeney runs Holly Lodge, a beautiful inn surrounded by snowy mountains, evergreen trees galore, and scenic views. There's a steady stream of regular patrons who visit the lodge every Christmas, but Alison's behind on her mortgage payments, and a development company has taken an interest in the land. They send Jordan Bridges to study the property, but before he makes his true intentions known to Alison, the two start falling for each other.Even though it took me an entire paragraph to describe the plot, in reality, it's quite thin. The premiere was riddled with commercial breaks because there really wasn't much to the story. There are misunderstandings that stand in the way of the romance, small side plots involving the minor characters, and well-meaning friends trying to get the leads to admit their feelings. I lost track of how often Jordan said, "I have to tell you something," and Alison either put him off until the next scene or blew him off entirely. Had he been allowed to talk when he wanted to, the movie would have been even shorter—so I understand why he was continually stifled.The cutest part of the film was seeing Jordan Bridges channel his dad Beau's expressions and mannerisms. If you're a fan of Beau Bridges—I am—you should definitely watch Christmas at Holly Lodge the next time Hallmark airs it, just so you can support his son's career and see the impact he had over him. It's quite adorable.