Lest you think that there is only actor’s movies that I watch (Sebastian Spence), I do watch many others. There was the day that I would not watch Hallmark channel movies.  My dad practically “lived” on Hallmark channel, and so I was convinced that all the stories were sappy, the acting was second-rate at best, and it certainly wasn’t worth my time.

Well, of course, that has changed. Cedar Cove changed everything last summer, and I am completely pro-Hallmark, especially when it comes to Christmas.  Last Christmas, I believe we had Hallmark on almost 24-7, and I was privileged to watch many Hallmark Christmas films. As it is now “Countdown to Christmas” on Hallmark channel yet again, I have had the opportunity to be reminded of the fun Christmas films I have seen in the past.

Overwhelmed widower Seth Webster is searching for a housekeeper to help him with his unruly six-year-old twin sons. “Mrs. Miracle” mysteriously appears and quickly becomes an irreplaceable nanny, chef, friend… and matchmaker.

My Review:

When I first saw this movie last year, I was intrigued because it was based on a book by Debbie Macomber. I fell in love with the Cedar Cove series on Hallmark  last summer, and I was finally privileged to read a couple of books by this local author. Yes, she is from the great Pacific Northwest just like I am, so this author resonates quite well with me. In addition to that, anything written by her is guaranteed to bring a smile to one’s face and heart. Even if the story is predictable, it is always a story with a sweet message and a few turns along the way.

From the opening scene of this film, I was enraptured. What could be better than two boys (sons of a widower) wreaking havoc on a steady stream of housekeepers?  It was hilarious and typical.  Enter Mrs. Miracle (Doris Roberts).  No one realizes that she is the answer to everything that widowed Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) and jilted Reba Maxwell (Erin Karpluk) could want whether they realize it or not.  Not only that, but Mrs. Miracle is exactly what these two little boys need to straighten them out.

As I watched this film, I found myself immersed in this world of heavenly coincidences and unexpected, budding romance. I had only ever seen Doris Roberts as the overbearing mother-in-law on Everybody Loves Raymond.  I did not expect her to be as convincing as she was in the role of this divine messenger.  I absolutely adored her performance, and I am so glad she reprised her role in a later Mrs. Miracle film.  It is her credibility that truly makes this film work as well as it does. In fact, she was able to draw out every kind of emotion imaginable–a rarity for some Hallmark films.

Lest I forget the star couple, it was an absolute pleasure to see this sweet though anticipated romance blossom and grow with a little help from above. This couple has just the right amount of chemistry and validity to have me rooting for this couple to the very end.  Each one had to go on their own soul-searching mission, and I believe to some degree  that everyone can relate to that journey they took.

On a personal note, seeing Erin’s character direct the Christmas play truly resounded with me. Add James’ character’s piano skills, and the music teacher in me was quite content.  I highly recommend this movie to the entire family. I have no idea how well this followed the book, but the movie is positively enchanting in every sense of the word.

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