Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. The idea of the film did sound predictable and similar to other hotel etc-set Lifetime/Hallmark films.
Some though have had formulaic stories but managed to have not over-simplistic or formulaic. 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' turned out to be one of those films and was a lovely surprise. It does a lot right and avoids, or at least to me it did, most of the traps that Christmas films with similar basic plotlines or follow a certain formula often do. Don't be put off by the pretty terrible and incredibly cheesy title which doesn't do the film justice in any shape or form. The title indicates a film that would be very cheesily and sappily written and something more of the same, but 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' was more than that and is one of Lifetime's better films in recent years.
It doesn't fit my definition of a masterpiece, something that nobody should expect from Lifetime. Is predictable, no doubt about it, with an ending that can be seen a mile away and story elements seen many times before.
Really though, to me there was very little wrong (the only other problem being some of the dialogue being on the contrived and cheesy side). Of the recently seen Christmas films from recent years with similar plots and similar budgets, 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' is easily one of the best ones.
Moreover, 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' looks lovely, with scenery that captures the festive spirit very well pleasingly shot. The soundtrack also adds to the atmosphere and is easy to remember, the music does vary in Lifetime films and can be intrusive but it wasn't here for me. The script mixes amusing comedy, sweet romance and not too sentimental drama with ease and good balance, having personality too.
The story is predictable but also very charming, easy to engage with and heart-warming. Any tensions never got too dark or complicated and there wasn't anything that felt aimless. The characters were more likeable and interesting than most similar characters and are further advantaged by strong performances from Bethany Joy Lenz (spirited and charming) and Andrew W. Walker (easy going and never stiff), who shares a chemistry that rings true and is sweet. Belinda Montgomery and John B. Lowe are solid support. The characters are not too perfect but any not so positive character traits are not overwritten at the same time.
Overall, very lovely surprise. 8/10.
