Dec 1

Dec 1 'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'My Christmas Love'

Hallmark movies get accused of being cut from the same cookie cutter. But the adorable and fun "My Christmas Love" (airing throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas) is a lighthearted mystery steeped in romantic sentiment that's unlike any other Hallmark holiday movie in all the best ways.

In short: When hopeless romantic Cynthia (Meredith Hagner) begins receiving anonymous gifts themed after the "12 Days of Christmas," she enlists her best friend Liam (Bobby Campo) to help her figure out who is sending the gifts.

My 10 favorite Hallmark Channel 'Countdown to Christmas' movies

The relentlessly chipper Meredith Hagner is the key to why "Christmas Love" works at all. Its plot is relatively high-concept to begin with, and Hagner's persistent high-energy is the cornerstone of this cheery whodunit. Cynthia is instantly all-in on figuring out the identity of her secret admirer - and her commitment is absolutely infectious. Hagner is comically, endearingly unflappable as Cynthia basically creates a list of likely suspects and goes sleuthing for clues.

The fun of the mystery is following Cynthia as she pursues her leads, often with comical results. With each new lead, Cynthia is completely convinced she's on the right track to finding her one true love. And with its built-in countdown clock of sorts -- a new gift showing up each morning -- "Christmas Love" has a natural element of good-natured tension: she's hoping to unmask her suitor before the final gift arrives.

The mystery angle isn't the only way "Christmas Love" turns the typical Hallmark formula on its head: Cynthia is a relatively flawed and misguided Hallmark protagonist. Leads in "Countdown to Christmas" movies may jump to the occasional conclusion or make a rash decision, but they're generally upstanding characters. Cynthia, on the other hand, is prone to pouting and blindly jumping headfirst without considering the people around her. But the combination of Hagner's effervescent performance and a bubbly script never gives the audience a chance to turn on Cynthia. The movie empathizes with her overenthusiastic focus because it's obvious she really believes in romantic gestures and true love.

But what makes "Christmas Love" a truly memorable entry in the "Countdown to Christmas" series is its genuinely unexpected third act twist. It's nice to be taken by surprise by a plot turn - especially one that absolutely makes sense in retrospect. The ending is this entertaining gem's signature moment.

Final verdict: Hagner's high-spirited performance and a legitimately surprising twist make "Christmas Love" one of the most entertaining and fun films in the "Countdown" catalog.