'Miracles of Christmas' movie review: 'Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen'

Anchored by three of Hallmark's strongest actors, "Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen" (premiering Nov. 30 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Miracles of Christmas) is a lovely romance that finds its compelling protagonist trying to prove her responsibility to her sister, to her client and to herself.

In short: Ella (Erin Krakow, "When Calls the Heart") and Marianne (Kimberley Sustad) are sisters with differing ideas for the future of the party-planning business they co-own — and they don’t see eye-to-eye with Edward (Luke Macfarlane), the CEO of a new client.

In fairness, it should be noted that this flick only scrapes the most basic elements from Jane Austen's classic novel - and it's "inspired" by "Sense and Sensibility" in the strictest definition of the word. Aside from making Ella and Marianne sisters and using Edward and Brandon's names, "Snowmen" sets off in its own direction - and it's all the better for separating itself from the original story.

The great part of "Snowmen" is how the three main leads are so clearly diametrically opposed in how they approach life. Marianne has a much more practical and reserved approach to managing Dashworks event planning, more willing to stick to what they're good at doing. But Ella, who has flirted with various careers and traveled the world, wants to grow their family business. Meanwhile, holiday-festive Ella must also convince the business-minded Edward to trust her to throw his company's important Christmas party.

Krakow knocks it out of the park as Ella, the epicenter of "Snowmen." She radiates a genuine drive that compels her to win her sister's respect and Edward's confidence. While Ella isn't shown on-screen as being flaky or irresponsible, Krakow finds a way to infuse Ella with an enthusiasm that might seem excessive, especially given that she just recently joined Marianne in co-managing the company. "Snowmen" establishes Ella, Marianne and Edward as coming from three very different perspectives - with Ella very much stuck in the middle.

Edward ... is a bit extreme for a 'Holiday Humbug'-type of character. It's fine that a character isn't ecstatic about decorating for Christmas, but this guy acts as if he's an alien who hasn't heard of any holiday traditions before in his life. Yet, Macfarlane finds a way to keep his character charming, as if he's simply been too distracted by work to take the time to appreciate the holidays. Sustad takes the thankless role of Marianne and makes the more sensible Dashwood sibling into an empathetic character who sincerely loves her sister but is totally committed to Dashworks. Her uncertainty about Ella's ideas has more to do with Marianne's skepticism that Ella's 5-year-plan includes Dashworks at all - and Sustad finds the balance between sister and company partner.

With the two totally engaging storylines swirling around Ella, "Snowman" stealthily sneaks in the Christmas traditions that make the holidays light and warm. And this totally works because its springs from Ella's radiant enthusiasm for all things Christmas - from silly reindeer headbands to her adorable snowman mittens.

Final verdict: "Snowmen" embraces all the joys of the Christmas season, while completely rooted in a character's quest to convince those around her that she's not just capable, but really good at her job.

Score: 5 golden rings (out of 5)

"Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen" is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. The movie premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Nov. 30.