‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY’: A WARM AND MAGICAL ROMANCE
Another of their more light hearted romantic-comedies of the 2021 Countdown to Christmas, Tis the Season to be Merry ends their 2021 year on an epilogue worth reading.
Tis the Season to be Merry (2021) Hallmark TV Film Review
Building her career and pretty much her whole life on being a love advice influencer Merry Griffin (Rachael Leigh Cook) is now writing a book. Trouble is, her self help advice book on love uses a fictional boyfriend to base her writing on. Bigger trouble is Merry’s publisher doesn’t realize this. Counting on the sales from her hotly anticipated year away release, Merry’s boutique publisher has a lot riding on her novel. Her best friend is an editor at the publishing house and is the one person who knows the truth. Worrying over how to best handle this situation, Merry accepts an invitation from Darlene to go home to Vermont for Christmas with her family. Merry’s only one request is that Darlene’s brother NOT be there.
Adam (Travis Van Winkle) has been gone for a while now, helping people and the animals of other countries. But surprise! he’s decided to return for Christmas ready to possibly be home for good. What he doesn’t know is that the girl who had a crush on him ten years ago (or was the crush his?) will also be at his parent’s home. tis the season to be merry
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Any of the Hallmark rom-coms I’ve seen Rachael in have been cute, largely due to her acting. This one is no different. She’s a great actress who always seems to be good with whomever she plays opposite of. I like her and Travis together. He’s the free spirit whereas she’s the more rigid one and while I believe they both have some wise things to contribute to relationships and love, he certainly does teach Merry some things, part of which helps her in just the thing she needs most. The scene is pleasant and is better for being able to like the characters (and who plays them). Additionally it’s fun to see a character have the profession of “influencer” which is definitely something we all know something of (whether its as one or following them) in today’s social media climate. tis the season to be merry
“What’s meant for you… won’t get by you.”
This film backs away from the normal grouping of Christmas activities and when they are in the scenes, they’re different in small ways so as not being quite as “cut and paste.” The story is a solid one and ends up being the right kind of one to close out he 2021 movies. It’s joyful and playful (that meet-cute though!) and still has the small town element that many adore. But at the end of the day, I just appreciate its subtle differences. That’s where this one is indeed most merry.
Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media Press
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Content: the normal TV-G/PG fare is the standard for this film.
