6/10 - one of the better Alicia Witt Christmas movies, but still filled with a few too many of the classic tropes

Alicia Witt's Christmas Hallmark efforts are variable, as are her performances in them. While the likes of 'A Very Merry Mix Up' and 'Christmas List' were worthwhile watches despite flaws, she was in mediocre misfires such as 'The Mistletoe Inn' and 'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' as well. Actually do not think she's too bad an actress despite not being a big fan, but whether she is good in her films is dependent on the role and that's the aspect where the Hallmark films she stars in vary.

Personally think she comes over quite well here and her character is one of her more endearing ones. As far as her Hallmark festive films go, 'Our Christmas Love Song' leans towards the better end in ranking if more high middle. 2019 was not the best of years for Hallmark or their Christmas films, but 'Our Christmas Love Song', despite being heavily flawed, is to me among their above average ones with a good deal to like about it. Not a great film but certainly didn't leave me tearing my hair out.

These good things include Witt, who has not been this charming in a long while. She is expressive and her character is neither too perfect or her flaws too exaggerated. The supporting performances are above average and spirited, even if the characters are fairly sketchy in development and just Hallmark cliches. 'Our Christmas Love Song' looks good, the photography complementing the pleasant scenery very well. The music is some of the best of any Hallmark film in a while, it's catchy and lovely to listen to and if that was Witt performing she has some vocal chops.

Dialogue is not great to begin with, but it does get better throughout the course of the film and there is less cheese and it becomes more natural. The story generally is heart-warming, light-hearted and has a charm.

Even though it also is very predictable, a slow starter and at times silly with an easily telegraphed and too tidy resolution. Brendon Hines doesn't have the same amount of warmth and likeability that Witt has, takes his role too seriously and didn't always seem at ease.

His chemistry with her didn't really gel either, the romance felt both underdeveloped and underused with not an awful lot of growth and was then hurriedly written and together the two seemed under-rehearsed. The dialogue early on really isn't good and is quite stilted.

In summary, not great but above average. 6/10

Melody (Alicia Witt) left her small Indiana city quite awhile ago to pursue her country music singing career. A rising star, she has just sung an original Christmas song, The Heart of Christmas, on the stage of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. But, oh no, a former star of the Opry named Connie calls at once, to accuse Melody of stealing the tune from her hit The Heart of Tennessee. Knowing she wrote the song long ago with her Dad as a teenager, Melody goes back to Madison Indiana to look through the attic for her old sheet music compositions. Everyone welcomes her! But, at her mother's house, she can not locate the sheets. Nevertheless, Melody begins spending time with her sister, her aspiring singer-niece, and, most importantly, a former flame, Chase (Brendan Hines). This handsome beau, also a singer and guitar instructor, had to take over the family business when his father passed away and provide for a younger sister. As the town folk urge Melody to attend the Christmas Tree lighting with Chase, will rekindling a romance be a bad idea? And, with Connie continuing to telephone and pester, will Melody find her original music or have to share the wealth of the already hit song? This lovely Hallmark film has all of its usual wonderful ingredients that make the network's films so special. It has a lovely duo in Witt and Hines, a beautiful setting, a heartfelt script and a zesty direction. In addition, this one has one more element: melodious music and original songs. Romcom and Christmas fans will be humming happily after any viewing!