'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'

Plenty of Hallmark holiday movies have tree decorating and an "opposites attract" vibe, but "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (airing throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas) has one secret weapon that no other holiday movie has: Henry-fricking-Winkler.

In short: Career-minded Jen (Brooke Burns) prepares for Christmas with a business-like strategy for her son, until her uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) invites well-traveled and laid-back Morgan (Warren Christie) as an unexpected holiday guest.

Hallmark movies are infamously formulaic -- which hasn't prevented some movies from rising to the challenge of playing by the same general rules, and finding ways to delight. But "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" feels a little rougher around the edges than most Hallmark movies - and that probably has to do with the fact that it was produced in 2008, before Hallmark implemented their guidelines for their movies. Which is why it's a bit of a jarring surprise to see retired police officer Ralph turn the tables on a would-be robber, and pin the criminal with ease -- in a Hallmark movie. And it's even more surprising to see a main character challenge another character to a fight ... again, in a Hallmark movie.

"Wonderful Time" stands out from the rest of the standard Hallmark fare because it's just a little edgier than the run-of-the-mill Hallmark movie. And during the mega-marathon of holiday themed movies that sometimes seem to blend together, "Wonderful Time" sets itself apart with some unexpected moments and the inclusion of national treasure Henry Winkler.

To the utter shock of no one, the "Happy Days" star steals the movie - because of course he does. Uncle Ralph is the charming engine that quietly ties the whole movie together. The movie is supposed to follow the task-oriented Jen warm to the laid-back Morgan, but it's the endearing former cop who grounds his left-brained niece and really clicks with the care-free Morgan. He's the uncle you always wanted and he finds just the perfect balance between cheeky troublemaker and lovable relative.

Winkler is so charming that he distracts from the movie's ludicrous and broad story points. First of all, the entire movie takes place over the course of three days - and that's being very generous with the timeline ... because Jen and Morgan only interact for two of those days ... and most of that time, they are not together. Yet "Wonderful Time" makes the idea of Jen and Morgan falling for each other not seem utterly absurd because it doesn't waste a moment of the time they do share together. If that's not enough, Jen already has a long-term boyfriend - and this “wrong guy” is ridiculously arch almost to the point of parody. It's fine that the movie obviously paints Morgan as the "right guy" - but the "wrong guy" is so overtly wrong for Jen that it's ridiculous and almost a waste of time. Given the natural chemistry between Jen and Morgan, the whole "wrong guy" subplot is just unnecessary -- and it's really the movie's only weakness.

Final verdict: The fact that the girl-with-it-all is willing to completely upend her life after spending a few days with a patently good guy should be silly, but the winsome dynamic between the co-leads and casting of Winkler bouys this holiday flick. Pull Winkler out of this movie, and it’s preposterous even by Hallmark Channel standards.

Score: 4-calling birds-out-of-5

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" airs throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas. It is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes.