Reviews

I have been waiting for this movie since the first trailer I saw for it. I love the Biltmore. I love Bethany Lenz. I love Kristoffer Polaha. But I could not have imagined the absolute magic that they would create in this movie. The writing far surpasses any Christmas Hallmark movie I've ever seen (and I've seen them all.) The device for the time travel is ingenious and used with both humor and pathos. The 1947 sets and costumes are gorgeous. The acting feels like a major release movie instead of tv. I laughed and cried. I can't wait to watch again to catch more - there's so much to absorb in every scene. Thank you and congratulations to Hallmark for creating a new Christmas classic.

I get that concert pianists are probbbbbbably not hanging around Hallmark studios. But would it be too much to ask that an actress playing a concert pianist actually watch one or two to see how the hands actually - shock! - follow the direction in which the music is going, high or low? I mean, after all, she IS a Juilliard grad... My husband and I about fell out of our chairs laughing at the ridiculously poor portrayal of playing the piano. And then I just got mad at how horrendous the portrayal was, again, since it would be SO easy to fake a decently realistic performance. I'm also a bit tired of the ubiquitous gay storyline. Absolutely nothing organic happening here. And it made me sadder because I loved the whimsical scenes with the story characters waiting for their new storyline. We stuck it out in hopes of redemption; alas, there was none.

I love Nikki and Andrew. Their chemistry is great. We were so looking forward to a well-presented mystery. The back and forth between the two of them was charming and fun and drew us in. The initial introduction of many possible suspects was good and set up the potential for an engrossing murder investigation. However, the final development of the plot revealing the murderer and motive was so completely implausible that it destroyed enjoyment of the movie. The methodology employed by the murderer was laughable, especially when given what would have been his level of knowledge and access.

The final takedown was totally unbelievable, leaving us in both laughter and disappointment. Sad that the vehicle was so much less than what Nikki and Andrew deserve.

As a professional musician, I am horrified that this woman (Jessica Lowndes) is called a singer. Simply listen to her duet of Deck the Halls with Paul Greene and you know she is not. She cannot match pitch and maintain a key from one phrase to the next. Maybe this was because of multiple takes? If so, why was there no consistent key established? Shame on the music production team for allowing something so painfully out of tune to make it to the final version. Maybe they can't hear pitch either. My musician husband and I rewound the scene about five times with our jaws on the floor. Have never heard such an unprofessional final musical product in a movie, except where the singer was SUPPOSED to be awful, like Florence Foster Jenkins. And then came Joy to The World, which wasn't. Sad to build an entire movie plot around this woman singing, when she cannot. I scored as high as four stars only because Gladys Knight and Paul Greene CAN sing.

Brilliantly written. Brilliantly acted. Quality details throughout the entire production. Every cast member perfect. No trite and tired tropes. Inventive twists on a beloved Christmas story. It made me laugh and cry. It sets the bar so high for Hallmark Christmas movies. I would definitely place it in the top five I've seen over many years.

The chemistry of the leads was among the most real and natural in any Hallmark movie. The supporting characters were so full of personality and spice. Nothing felt "phoned in" at any time. The weaving of the plot line was ingenious and kept you guessing until just the last couple satisfying minutes that provided the joyful ending everyone wanted.

Thank you, Hallmark, for a superlative movie that will stand the test of time.

Beyond laughable in its representation of professional tennis. The ludicrous plot line details were so far removed from reality that we laughed through the entire comedy - except it wasn't supposed to be funny THAT way. The sequences of play action were so disjointed, it was as if they teleported across the court. The scoreboard camera shot in the final match was absolute gibberish in representing what had happened in the course of the match with the points, games, and sets won. And a mildly injured player agonizing over whether to play the FINAL match point to win? I won't even delve into the relationship plot and the lack of chemistry among the leads, who in no way sold themselves as professional athletes. If you know anything about tennis at all, watch it for either a laugh at Hallmark's expense - or to be majorly frustrated at the stupidity. Just to be clear, I enjoy Hallmark movies for pleasant entertainment. Not this embarrassment.

Loved Heather. She was a beautiful breath of fresh air. Normally love Luke McFarlane. But as both a southerner and a professional musician, I cringed at his performance. The southern accent literally came and went from phrase to phrase. Ya know, not ALL country singers have one. It would have been wiser to allow him to use his own speech pattern consistently. And the singing was sooooo painful. I did physically cringe through the entire song. Disappointing that a wiser choice from the Hallmark stable of leading men wasn't cast.

Plot was heartwarming and worked. I would have given a much higher rating. Just couldn't get past the miscasting here.

I wanted more of this feel-good, quirky show. I do love that it ended happily. Life has been hard for us all these last couple years. So, it was nice to see everyone's lives headed in happy and fulfilling directions. Great cast and characters. Will miss this in my weekly lineup.

This one was confusing. I always enjoy Wes Brown, and I have no complaints about new-to-me Christine Ko, but even though they were believable and pleasant in their roles, there was no real spark or chemistry. I remember Lauren Tom as Julie on Friends as cute and natural. Here, as Carol, she was jolting and forced, with awkward grimaces and unnatural line deliveries. The whole movie was a massive flip-flop between scenes that were pleasant and enjoyable and others that were forced, strained, and over-the-top in trying to be cute and funny. We always laughingly comment on whether Hallmark movies seem to fly by (the good ones) or drag along (this one). Can't really recommend this one.

Wow. Disjointed stories and poor development/justification for the actions taken by Frank. So not in line with his character as we've seen it portrayed through the years. Disappointed in this one from my favorite show.

The most uplifting show on the air. We need this show. Soooo sad it's canceled. Many thanks to the fine writers, directors, and producers and the wonderful cast that have warmed our hearts. You will be missed.

While the world is dealing with the chaos of the corona virus, this show continues to give us stories of people helping others for no other reason than it's the right thing to do. This episode does it well. Love the continued character development of the main cast. Every week I feel lighter after watching this great uplifting show.

Sweet and tender story. Superbly acted by all cast. Every single actor was natural and believable in his/her role. Sad without being overly maudlin. Definitely our fave of the year so far. One thing marred the end of the movie, and that was the incredibly lame song that played as they danced. Absolutely destroyed the magic of the moment. Very poor judgment in the choice of such a non-melody with ridiculous lyrics.

Horrible. And wonderful. Terribly sad. But beautifully acted by entire cast. Really didn't see the ending coming.

Yes, it's true! Her hair is able to move itself radically in a matter of only a second or two repeatedly throughout a scene. Look ma, no hands! My husband and I were entertained more by this than any intended facet of the movie. Bed head had its heyday. A hairbrush would be a good friend for Miss Witt.

The acting throughout the movie was terribly wooden; I can't remember when I watched something where I was unable to believe in a single character. Much of the weight of the actors' flat performances may be blamed, however, on a lackluster script.

As a professional musician, I was bored and then numbed by the repetitive motives of the never-ending background score.

I love Hallmark Christmas movies as part of my Christmas tradition. I fear we're seeing the result of the glut of too many premiere movies per season. The fresh quality once present is now often lacking. This one missed the mark on every level except for the unintended humor of the hair alive scene. For that, I give it a three.

We commented it was like an old friend coming back to town; everything just fit and felt warmly the same. Not sure about the nay-sayers complaining it has changed. We thought the characters picked right up where they left off. Story lines drew us right in. The warmth of the sympathetic characters and the conflicts with the antagonists all were on point. Previews for the season look fantastic. Can't wait to enjoy it all.

Boring. Glib in a meaningless way that doesn't come close to the slick humor of the original. Was willing to give it a shot. Ten minutes in was already an agony of disconnected dialogue from characters who don't connect with each other or the audience. Why call a show a remake and not even remotely honor the formula that made it what it was and actually WORKED? Will not subject myself to another episode.