The first film in the series 'Finding Father Christmas' was a very pleasant and welcome surprise, and up there as one of Hallmark's better Christmas films. The second film 'Engaging Father Christmas' also pleasantly surprised me and nearly as good, proof that Hallmark can do sequels well if anybody is in doubt. So hearing that there was a third film, part of me was looking forward to seeing it but part of me was also a bit worried that it would feel like one film too far.
'Marrying Father Christmas' to me didn't feel like one film too far. Far from it. It works really well as part of the series and was very well done in its own way. Comparing it with the previous two films, it's one notch up from 'Engaging Father Christmas' and on the same level as 'Finding Father Christmas'. Though quality-wise, the three are very close together, with the same strengths and similar flaws to each other. Like 'Engaging Father Christmas', it compares very favourably as a sequel to a Hallmark film.
It is a little awkward in the writing, which also could have been tighter, at times. The ending was also a bit rushed and too convenient.
Where it does improve over 'Engaging Father Christmas', and where it is more on par with 'Finding Father Christmas', is the story, it's fresher in execution and nothing feels too silly or bizarre here like it did occasionally in that film.
Good things are many, well actually everything else works. It looks pleasing, despite the location not being authentic to me it didn't look too fake and was attractive in its own way. The photography is slick enough. There is a tendency in Hallmark to have the music too prominent and intrusive, found neither to be the case (not distractingly so anyhow) here. The script may be imperfect, but it was light hearted and had good intentions, the cheese and schmaltz not feeling too much.
Likewise, the story has imperfections but for all its predictability as such it did make me feel warm inside, it was very charming and it did have heart without being heavy or over serious. Erin Krakow and Niall Matter return again, as does Wendie Malick, and they don't disappoint. Krakow is restrained and sensitive while never looking phoned in or stiff. Matt is pleasantly understated and sympathetic too without ever being too low key, and he looks relaxed. Their already charming and genuine chemistry went from strength to strength with each film and the spark increased each time. Malick is a breath of fresh air once again. Everyone is well above average and while the characters are not deep they were at least worth connecting with in my view. The direction is accommodating without being too deliberate.
In summary, really liked it. 8/10
