'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Jingle Bell Bride'
A wedding planner literally goes to the end of the Earth for her client, finding love along the way in the romance 'Jingle Bell Bride' (premiering Oct. 24 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas).
In short: Manhattan-based wedding planner Jessica (Julie Gonzalo) ends up in a remote Alaskan town and falls in love with its Christmas festival, as well as the local florist Matt (Ronnie Rowe Jr.) helping her find a rare flower.
It's a lot of fun to watch the big city girl forced to make the best of an unexpected situation. Jessica totally expects just to get in and out of small town Alaska on a quick - so much that she just packs her purse ... and that's about it. 'Bride' is at its best when it lets Jessica shine. Between 'Bride' and last year's fixer-up themed 'Flip that Romance,' Gonzalo is a perfect fit for confident, quick-thinking pros totally in their element when the situation seems hopeless.
Gonzalo and Rowe are a great on-screen pairing. Rowe has the perfect blend of a guy who embraced the Alaskan life and gave up the craziness of the Big Apple. Matt seems amused by Jessica at first - but as the two spend more time together, there's an undeniable spark between them. The fact that they are not instantly attracted to each other actually makes their inevitable infatuation all the more rewarding. Their relationship feels earned and sweet.
Honestly, the third act is where some great Hallmark movies stumble. But honestly, 'Bride' has one of the great third acts of any 'Countdown' film. Jessica puts so much of herself in helping plan a celebrity's dream wedding. She sacrifices so much for her clients and her career. So when her situation looks bleak, all her frustrations just bubble up in one great scene for Gonzalo. And its the goodwill that she's built up over her longer-than-expected stay in the small town that saves the day - with a little help from a certain someone.
If there's only one opportunity for improvement for 'Bride' - it's that Matt could have been fleshed out a little bit. 'Bride' reveals why Matt moved to Alaska - but never really explores this part of his character. As it stands, the story just treats Matt as the guy who Jessica falls for. Luckily for this film, Rowe is perfectly cast, making the most of his character's relationship with the planner.
Final verdict: 'Bride' is filled with love through and through - finding new love, spending time with loved ones and rediscovering a love for the holidays.
Score: 4 French hens (out of 5)
'Jingle Bell Bride' is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. The movie premieres on The Hallmark Channel on Oct. 24.
