‘Sweet Mountain Christmas’ is Lifetime Charm and a Hometown Girl

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The parade of Christmas movie watching hasn’t stopped at my house. A 2019 original, this one features Broadway star, Megan Hilty who plays Laney Blu, a country crooner who, after ten years being the best, finds her star is fading. Because of this, her manager plans to re-brand Laney as the next big pop sensation. He even lands her a spot during a prominent Christmas concert to debut her new sound ahead of the album drop, but she first must keep a promise to her mother (Teryl Rothery) and return home where a “sweet mountain Christmas” awaits.

Once back home, Laney not only encounters a snowstorm, but also her ex-boyfriend (Marcus Rosner) and the best friend she left behind in her search of bigger dreams…

Sweet Mountain Christmas (2019) Lifetime Film Review

Typically, I think Lifetime originals are more of a “miss” for me than the Hallmark ratio. On a whim (and after seeing fellow Christmas movie addict and blog friend, Becky mention it), I decided to play my recorded copy of this one, expecting very little. To say it surprises me is a bit of an understatement. The story isn’t new, but the characters are so darn charming one cannot help but like them.

The script takes a cue from a Taylor Swift-inspired success story, and is used quite well alongside Megan’s acting skills. Though for some it will be considered “corny,” what I like best about this story is how charming this character is. Megan makes Laney incredibly affable, and the script allows her to do this without creating too much tension with her return home. Where movies used to make the “prodigal son” a kind of enemy, they now seem to offer more grace, and I appreciate this more than I can say.

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Laney finds she has a few fences to mend but without the burden where no one will speak to her. It shows better values in the characters, and that’s something that viewers like to champion. You’ll recognize Hallmark stars in this one, and I will say, I quite enjoyed Marcus as the leading man. He has the right acting chops to pull it off. Whether it’s the southern accents or the sweet way in which Laney is counseled by her mother, this one has all the feels of a solid Christmas romance.

Another fun thing about this is the ways Laney continues to “run into” her ex. It makes the story all the more fun, and gives the viewer some fun chemistry to enjoy. Anyone who likes these types of sweet romances will see a wholesome story that follows in the footsteps of those that’s come before it. There’s stacks of pancakes, Christmas trees, down home vibes, and all the things that makes a Christmas movie so sweet.

‘Sweet Mountain Christmas’ is Lifetime Charm and a Hometown Girl. A review of the Megan Hilty romance from Lifetime. #ChristmasMovies #LifetimeTV #MeganHilty Share on X

Photos: Lifetime