'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Christmas in Evergreen'
When the card company famous for greeting cards makes a movie inspired by holiday-themed paintings, the result is the relentlessly cheerful seasonal delight "Christmas in Evergreen" (airing throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas).
In short: After making a wish for a romantic Christmas, small-town veterinarian Allie (Ashley Williams) is snowbound in her holiday-loving hometown along with travelers Ryan (Teddy Sears) and his daughter.
Even by Hallmark Channel standards, "Evergreen" is an aggressive holiday offering, complete with ice skating and tree decorating in an idyllic Christmas-centric small mountain town where holiday wishes magically true. There's nothing subtle about this movie - and that's what makes "Evergreen" such a genuine holiday delight.
The ever-perky Ashley Williams wonderfully embodies the movie's unyielding Christmas spirit -- and her perfect casting is the heart of "Evergreen." Her ever-present smile and can-do spirit radiates a warmth the defines the movie. And more than most Hallmark movies, "Evergeen" is all about the feeling and spirit of the town and its characters. Williams absolutely captures the story's zeal and fondness for the Christmas spirit as well as what makes small town life special.
While other Hallmark movies may pit their protagonist against some soulless corporation or an obviously "wrong" partner, the driving conflict is Allie's reluctance to leave her beloved home and Ryan's desire to be anywhere except the Christmas-obsessed town of Evergreen. The quaint little village is the uncredited third leading character of the movie, as the movie leans on Evergreen's charm to hold onto Allie and win over paradise-bound Ryan.
Were it not for the fact that the movie spends a lot of time on some distractions, "Evergreen" would be an undeniable winner. The entire plot relies on keeping Allie and Ryan trapped in the small town - so anytime there's a chance they can escape, the movie is forced to conjure up another road block. "Evergeen" is pure Christmas magic when it's allowed to focus on Allie and Ryan enjoying the village's holiday spirit - the contrivances keeping them in Evergreen just interrupt an otherwise endearing movie. The b-plot centered on the mayor and Allie's best friend putting together the town's holiday festival just bogs down "Evergreen."
Final verdict: Unyielding and delightful, "Evergreen" really does feel like a wholesome and endearing Hallmark holiday card brought to life. It’s the perfect Hallmark flick to have playing in the background, not unlike having a lovely Christmas album playing while you gift wrap or decorate the tree.
Score: 3.5 french hens-out-of-5
"Christmas in Evergreen" airs throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas. It is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes.
