Complete credited cast: | |||
Rachel Boston | ... | Lila | |
Neal Bledsoe | ... | Whitaker | |
Stuart Hughes | ... | Roy | |
Jennifer Vallance | ... | Heidi | |
Tessa Kozma | ... | Princess Maya | |
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Tom Rooney | ... | King Rooney |
Kathryn Davis | ... | Margaret | |
Michael Spencer-Davis | ... | Duke Sterling | |
Lisa Michelle Cornelius | ... | Nicole | |
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Mélodie Tossa | ... | Angela |
Tyson Kirk | ... | Young Man / Teen Painter (as Tyson David Kirk) |
When Lila is hired by the Royal Family of Ancadia to repair a carousel, she must work with the Prince to complete it by Christmas.
I actually study Hallmark movies because 1) I watch a lot of them and 2) keep track of the ones I really like. I've written novels and screenplays so have studied writing what most consider "formulaic" fiction. The things that actually stood out for me in this film were that there were a few twists on what was keeping the two apart, vs. what I find usually contrived problems that could be easily unraveled if the two main characters would just share one or two more sentences. This "conflict" was so good, I actually sat up and thought: good one! It was subtle, I'll admit. But after so many "eye-rolling" moments on most romance movies (which I overlook as I pretty much expect them to offer silly, easily fixed challenges before they declare true love), there were at least a couple of nice surprises in this film. I loved the way Neal Bledsoe channeled Hugh Grant, without being a cartoon copy -- not an easy accomplishment. And there's always something winning about Rachel Boston. Sure, it's a Hallmark movie so I don't expect too much in the way of plot, but I think this was one of the better offerings for 2020 and it has been recorded in my OneNote with names of producers and writers etc. as I keep track of the best Hallmarks and the ones I'll look for again to revisit in another year or two. So, instead of listening to all these bad reviews, I would recommend this one. It may speak to you, as it did to me and I hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas!