Nov 9

Nov 9 'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Picture a Perfect Christmas'

The fate of a business or a town doesn't hang in the balance. There's no crazy, high concept plot. “Picture a Perfect Christmas“ (premiering Nov. 9 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas) is simply a streamlined, elegant and refreshingly forthright "Countdown" gem.

In short: Photographer Sophie (Merritt Patterson) returns home to take care of her grandmother and gets involved with helping a neighbor, David (Jon Cor), look after his young nephew.

My 10 favorite 'Countdown to Christmas' movies ever

Hallmark movies have reputation for being formulaic -- and to be completely honest, it's not a completely baseless accusation. And more than a few Hallmark movies fall into one of a few plot buckets: including, the girl who returns home for a traditional Christmas or the girl who takes care of the guy's child. "Picture" might not bring anything new to the Hallmark genre - but it stands out as an exceptional "Countdown to Christmas" flick simply based on how well it executes familiar plot elements.

Sophie isn't just a vague workaholic - she starts out completely content in her near nomadic lifestyle. But once she gets a chance to take in a warm, grounded holiday season in her hometown, Sophie realizes she wants more than just a rootless existence. Other movies leave it there, but "Perfect" finds Sophie in some existential uncertainty, pushing her to ponder what she truly wants out of her career and out of life in general. David doesn't have to make some grand gesture to slowly win Sophie over - it's something as simple as Sophie watching David take Christmas gifts out of the car.

Underneath Sophie's conflicted feelings about work and life, is a core of generosity. If Christmas is about the spirit of giving, then "Picture" beautifully taps into the concept of selfless, effortless compassion. The movie weaves this theme elegantly into the story, so it never feels like the movie is beating the audience over the head with its message.

"Picture" pulls off the Christmas miracle of being sweet without saccharine. There's a refreshing honesty in "Picture," that is welcome and revitalizing. From Sophie and David calling out some matchmaker attempts early on in the movie, to its completely heartwarming and lovely conclusion.

Final verdict: "Picture" is a perfectly executed, warm and lovely Hallmark holiday romance. And most impressively, it proves that even if Hallmark movies all work from the same toolbox of plot elements, "Picture" finds a way to craft a story that is familiar, refreshing and charmingly romantic.