I am not, nor would I ever, knock today's Hallmark releases- but nothing compares to the early years.
I don't know how I had never seen this one before- but it's easily my favorite.
It's got the essential elements of falling in love during the holidays on the small screen: a conflict ridden meet-cute, a seemingly perfect boyfriend, the most adorable and wholesome woman in the world, a couple fun female extras, an unrealistically single man who's attractive, wealthy, and a gentleman- but a bit jaded.
But this Thanksgiving flick of Hallmark past(and WHY did they stop making Thanksgiving films?) Is far less sugar-coated than than today's, while still remaining wholesome enough. They openly drink and get drunk, the boyfriend isn't 'the right guy-just for someone else' he's actually quite the prick. The humor is just a shade darker and a notch sexier - and it creates a depth that's been lacking the last couple years.
The actual production is really good, too- at least to someone who knows very little about movie production. They really made Chicago in November really beautiful. I even really loved the music- which is often the one element I kind of hate.
As for the story, a vintage-clad young woman prepared for her beloved annual Thanksgiving parade while waiting for her marine-biologist boyfriend to come home and propose to her. Meanwhile she bumps into the man who wants to commoditize the parade she's devoted her career to - and while they have opposite views on just about everything, including love- their chemistry is undeniable. Naturally they're forced to work together, and end up exposing every private thought that occurs to them- and eat peanut butter in their undies (separately, mind you- this IS still a Hallmark movie)
The leads- Hallmark favorite Autumn Reeser, and the very very handsome Antonio Cupo -just absolutely killed it. It was hard not to root for them.
If you're in the mood for predictable yet enjoyable couple hours, and don't want to feel like you're watching a disney-movie for adults, this is a good start. I always dvr the 2015 and earlier Hallmark movies- there really is something a touch more special about them (might be the fact they didn't churn out 200 a year) and this might have been the absolute best of them.
Also- I now REALLY want a best friend with a small vintage clothing shop. Might be my favorite set of any movie ever made. So- anybody with a vintage shop is obviously free to seek me out and befriend me, I expect tea-for two in a mid-century settee. And, yes- that's how adorable this movie is.