It's a cute story and Ryan Rottman is nice to look at, but it's not a wow! I don't believe the kids would get along so well for a start and I'm pretty sure there's no way the boss would give that time off, but I suppose a lot of these films are a stretch of the imagination and an idea of a better life, something to aspire to.
Also, as I've said before with these films, if you're going to make it about an artist who is suddenly recognised, at least try and get a good artist! The work in this would never adorn my walls!
It's worth a watch if you've got a Jigsaw Puzzle to do at the same time, but the story has been done many times before.
Christmas Wonderland
2018
Comedy / Drama / Romance
Christmas Wonderland
2018
Comedy / Drama / Romance
Plot summary
"Heidi (Osment),who initially left her small town of Pleasant Valley with the dream of one day becoming a successful painter, has put her own art on hold to excel as an art gallery curator. Now, a week before the gallery's big Christmas party, she must return home to watch her niece and nephew. She comes face to face with her high school love, Chris, now a teacher, who is in over his head after he must find a new last-minute location for the Christmas dance. Heidi offers to help him and together they discover a beautiful place for the dance, perfectly capturing the Christmas spirit, called Wonderland Farms. The more time Heidi spends in Pleasant Valley decorating for the Christmas SnowBall, the more she finds herself inspired to start painting again. With Christmas fast approaching, Heidi soon becomes torn between the life she built in the city and the life she is surprisingly charmed by back in Pleasant Valley, embracing her true passion."—Hallmark
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Easy going.
not memorable but cute
I can't say it wasn't predictable, but a very cute story. Not going to be very memorable or stand out in a crowd of made-for-tv holiday movies, but also not the worst I've ever seen. I really loved the mural she painted!
The Ghost of Romance Past
The embers of a teenage love affair are rekindled in this lighthearted engaging drama in the Christmas romance genre, which is nicely sewed with a thread of humour and light banter throughout.
The two leads work very well together, in character, and both have a relaxed acting style that brings a strong note of authenticity to the proceedings.
Beneath the seasonal fluff & glitter is a poignant streak about why this couple separated in the first place - Heidi moved to New York to pursue a professional career as an artist (but ends up as a gallery assistant) and Chris remained in hometown to pursue a career in teaching at the high school, he attended with Heidi, with extracurricular activities as ice hockey coach...and now has last-minute duty to organize the annual high school Christmas Ball, just as Heidi returns to town on brief visit.
Though they pursued different paths, both have not found new partners in the romance department.
However, after many years of estrangement, Cupid now intervenes and conspires to bring the two lovebirds back to a place of reconnection & self-reflection, with the old doubts and aspirations casting shadows on their reignited romance.
This movie is well above average for the genre and I could watch again without complaints.