'Miracles of Christmas' movie review: 'Deliver by Christmas'

Strangers fall for each other over the phone ... without knowing they've actually already met in the holiday romance 'Deliver By Christmas' (premiering Oct. 25 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Miracles of Christmas).

In short: Molly (Alvina August) meets Josh (Eion Bailey, 'Switched for Christmas'), a widower who recently moved to town with his young son. At the same time she is charmed by a mysterious client of her bakery whom she's never met in person, and doesn't realize that they're one and the same.

Bailey is exceptional and heartbreaking as the widower trying to start a new life in a new town. He carries himself with a solemnness, as if he gets through each day with a heavy heart. Josh has a soft-spoken demeanor, like he has to force a smile, just to let people know he's okay. But two things do manage to elicit genuine happiness: his son and talking to Molly.

Molly and Josh's phone conversations are reminiscent of romantic pen pal letters. The two co-leads actually light up while trading texts and chatting on the phone. There's an obvious, unmistakable lift in their spirits anytime they bump into each other around town (as strangers), and especially when chatting on the phone (as increasingly personal conversationalists). For a movie where the co-leads don't actually share that much time on-screen together, 'Deliver' achieves a romance sweeter and more intimate than most love stories.

'Deliver' has too much fun doing everything possible to keep Molly and Josh passing like ships in the night. The addition of Jessica, a local candy store owner, as a competing love interest throws a fun wrench into the story. And the trope of meddling family members is usually pretty tired, but 'Deliver' uses the well-intentioned nosiness of family to keep the story moving. Josh is a widower content to devote his life to his son - it's only after a gentle push from his brother that he even entertains the idea of dating again. Molly's sister similarly prods her into advancing her relationship with a man she obviously clicks with. And these competing interests come together to a conclusion that will leave the audience smiling.

Final verdict: It's actually the height of romance just to watch two people, with undeniable chemistry, fall in love. 'Deliver' is a romantic delight.

Score: 4.5 calling birds (out of 5)

'Deliver By Christmas' is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. The movie premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Oct. 25.