Nov 1

Nov 1 'Miracles of Christmas' movie review: 'Two Turtle Doves'

The bittersweet and lovely drama “Two Turtle Doves” (premiering Nov. 1 as part of the Hallmark’s Miracles of Christmas) is a gentle tearjerker that captures the essence of rediscovering the Christmas spirit, despite harboring a broken heart.

In short: Sharon (Nikki DeLoach) returns home for her first Christmas without her grandmother - whose last wish was for Sharon to enjoy the holidays. Her grandma's estate lawyer Sam (Michael Rady) and his daughter help Sharon complete her family's list of Christmas traditions.

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As Sam's family helps Sharon decorate cookies and pick out a Christmas tree, "Turtle Doves" is a beautiful testament to the holiday traditions that create cherished lifelong memories. And it's not just because it nails the joy of holiday traditions (which it does) - more importantly, "Turtle Doves" is rooted in what makes holiday memories so beloved: the people you make the memories with. The decision to sprinkle Vera's words to Sharon, via voiceover, throughout the film makes her thoughts palpable and keeps her in the mind of the audience, much as she is always on Sharon's mind.

"Turtle Doves" finds its main characters in various stages of the grieving process. Sam is a widower whose wife died several years earlier. Rady's understated performance effuses a gentle, sympathetic kindness - but also a subtle melancholy that slowly thaws as he and Sharon spend more time together. DeLoach delivers a sincerely warm performance that once again affirms her place as one of the strongest lead actresses in the Hallmark Channel family. Sharon is effortlessly kind and DeLoach's performance radiates a festival cheer, yet, it's clear Sharon is heartbroken over the loss of her grandmother and she's smiling through her heavy heart.

It's easy to craft a Christmas story that taps into the themes of generosity or goodwill - but "Turtle Doves" bravely searches for joy in the all too relatable pain of loss. And rather than deny or hide from their sadness, Sharon and Sam embrace every tradition on Grandma Vera's list. "Turtle Doves" doesn't try to solve sadness or force them to "move on." The movie is confident affirming that it's okay to be sad and to miss loved ones - and it's equally okay to be open to new contentment.

Final verdict: "Turtle Doves" is a disarmingly honest Hallmark Christmas story with an ending that is utterly exquisite. It is a beautiful and touching rumination on grief, coming to terms with past heartache and finding ways to create new memories.