Oct 24

Oct 24 'Miracles of Christmas' movie review: 'Christmas Tree Lane'

The future of a historic holiday neighborhood hangs in the balance in the dramatic romance 'Christmas Tree Lane' (premiering Oct. 24 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Miracles of Christmas).

In short: Music store owner Meg (Alicia Witt, 'Our Christmas Love Song') spearheads community efforts to save her street from demolition. She's shocked to find out that the man she's falling for, Nate (Andrew Walker, 'Bottled with Love'), is actually working for the company Meg's fighting.

While Witt and Walker are individually solid, it does feel like they're in two different movies - and they don't exactly have the strongest romantic chemistry. For his part, Walker is earnestly in love with the traditional, vintage but struggling and endangered neighborhood. Aside from the fact that they are the co-leads in a Hallmark movie, it's not entirely clear why Nate and Meg are together in the first place. And honestly, between the two characters, Nate seems the most dedicated in the effort to keep the spirit of Christmas Tree Lane alive.

The most interesting idea this movie has is Meg and Nate's nearly star-crossed relationship because they are unknowingly on opposing sides of the same battle for the historic street. 'Lane' bends over backward to delay the inevitable reveal, sometimes relying on some lazy plot devices to kick that can down the road. The movie could have used the delayed reveal to build up some story depth between Nate and his father, who owns the real estate firm intent on razing Christmas Tree Lane. This could have created some interesting internal conflicts when the reveal finally drops. At least the movie takes a pretty confident story turn once the truth finally comes out.

'Lane' is simultaneously oversimplified and unnecessarily cluttered. The story hinges on Meg and Nate's effort to preserve the old street with its decades and decades of rich, nostalgic history. So of course ... they throw a Christmas concert ... to save the neighborhood. Okay, fine. Meg is a music teacher, but she's reluctant to perform at the concert ... for reasons. And Nate's father, who seems dedicated to destroying Christmas Tree Lane, also has ... some memories of the Lane. Again ... for reasons. Oh, and just for good measure, 'Lane' introduces Nate's old girlfriend, who spends most of the movie calling him after bumping into her old flame ... worrying Meg. A more confident movie doesn't need frayed plot threads that lead to nowhere.

Final verdict: 'Lane' is a nice story about saving the heart of Christmas, but muddled storylines and some weak romantic chemistry keep the movie from reaching its potential.