tracyhaunjones

I really enjoyed both of the Sister Swap movies -- I will say that this first one is more enjoyable when you've seen the second one. If Hallmark does this next year, I hope they show them on one night. The Williams sisters are so much fun and so charming -- yes, they are a little buzzed up on sugar and cocoa, but tis the season! I also LOVED the kids in this movie, both very calm and natural. There is also an interesting if brief subplot about food banking and food insecurity. Bonus points for the diverse cast, and great parts for Kevin Nealon, Jim Byrnes, and soap star Anna Holbrook.

I will watch anything with Tyler Hynes in it but wasn't sure about how he would pull this one off -- in the previews, it's clearly shown that he's the one who is messing up and messing up even further by lying to his family. But Tyler is so much fun that he's even enjoyable when he's pouting, which he does a bit. There's a costume event gone awry, Bethany Joy Lenz spilling the beans to a horrified waiter, and a sister and other family who bring the Christmas cheer. Paul Campbell's writing reminds me of the best of the old ensemble romantic comedies -- I like him as an actor a lot but as a writer he's one of the best Hallmark is showcasing right now. One point off for making Paul McGillion old enough to be Tyler Hynes' dad -- especially since it wasn't so long ago that he was a romantic lead. Also, it's driving me crazy trying to figure out who plays the mom, and I can't find it in the cast list.

The Hallmark storylines for 2021 have been a little low-concept and the movies a bit draggy. In this one, James Denton and Teri Hatcher bring the force of their chemistry and star power to a nuanced version of It's a Wonderful Life. The writing, the set design, the pace, and especially the performances ... it made me fall in love with Hallmark Christmas all over again!