Talkie Tuesday: Winter Castle

"It's not circumstances that create the joy, it's you."

Hello everyone!

In honour of my Austrian neighbours battling their snow drifts (seriously, can someone call Elsa and tell her it's okay already? THEY GET IT), I'm posting another winter-themed movie, and I actually really liked most of this one. 

Which, I will say, is a hit-and-miss with Hallmark sometimes.

Most of the time it's perfectly fine, you can easily watch movies and laugh through them, rolling your eyes at some of the cheesiness that seeps through. But then every once in a while you also stumble over a rock you'd rather just sink into the deep blue sea, and other times a golden nugget you want to share with people.

I'd say tonight's choice is somewhere in the solid middle, more towards the nugget.

Or maybe Scrat's acorn, who knows?

I should start judging these based on acorns!

Ahem. Winter Castle, everyone.

Why'd I want to watch this?

Because Emilie Ullerup is one of Hallmark's most watchable actresses, feeling very natural and unforced when you see her in any kind of role, and I LOVE her as Bree in Chesapeake Shores. By the way, has that been renewed for another season or what?

Anyway.

Winter Castle tells the lovely lovely story about editor Jenny, whose biggest wish is to some day publish a story of her own; and she's pretty good at it, but her boss kind of just sees her as an editor, so tough luck to her.

Still, her sister Meg is getting married, and it'll be a destination wedding, which means the family is packing up and going to Canada!

To a GLORIOUS Ice Hotel that actually exists in Quebec, and I swear I was open mouthed through the entire movie.

One of the bigger problems of any Hallmark holiday/winter production is that the snow is inevitably fake. It's one of the things my dad just HATES about this stuff, and I have to admit it's jarring to see people in leather jackets with no padding whatsoever while it's supposely freezing.

Not so in this one, though.

It's ACTUALLY freezing.

Anyway, Meg (the bride) has a plan: her hubby-to-be has this best man, see, who's a widower with a young daughter, Sara, and he would be PERFECT for her Jenny!

Er, except, says hubby-to-be, best man brought a plus one.

Say what now?

Let's move along from those two while Jenny actually meets Craig and his daughter, and sparks pretty much fly instantly, especially as Sara admits dad isn't so good at telling bedtime stories. So Jenny kind of picks up where dear ole dad left off, and starts telling Sara a story about Snowball the polar bear, while also typing one up for her boss, inspired by the ice castle she's in.

Who wouldn't be inspired?!

We also get to meet Lana, the plus one, who is generally nice and sweet and, my goodness, if Craig would only just open his mouth, things would be so much easier.

Then again, apparently the projection they're making is that of a guy is when he's so confused about what he wants he keeps his mouth shut.

Pro tip to any guy reading this, if there are any: COMMUNICATION.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

Anyway, over a series of mishaps including but not limited to a lost bridal veil, Jenny herself lost in the woods, a one horse open sleigh ride with pastries and a general knowledge all around that Craig likes Jenny and Jenny likes Craig, it's time to take action.

And I love how Hallmark showed this.

Girl squad: let's have a mani-pedi day and ask subtle non obvious questions! I'm sure Lana won't figure it out and we HAVE to know how serious she and Craig are!

On the other side of the castle, the guys are playing darts. Because ... darts.

Craig: dude, did you ask Meg to put me next to Jenny in the seating arrangement?

Hubby-to-be: dude, I had nothing to do with it. You nearly put me in the dog house bringnig Lana.

Craig: she really wanted to come! Sorry brotha, didn't mean it. I like Jenny.

Hubby-to-be: yeah well can you make it up to me somehow and make up your mind?

Craig: dude, that's harder than it looks. 

Hubby-to-be: Dude.

Not exactly a transcript, but similar. Basically, guys just talk it out. It saves them a hell of a lot of trouble and mishaps.

We should take a page out of their book.

Anyway, after watching shooting stars, making wishes, and Jenny typing up her story to actually be published, Lana discovers Sara wished that Jenny would be her new mom.

And since she's a kind soul, she backs out gracefully.

So did Jenny, almost, telling Craig during the rehearsal dinner that it's okay, she gets it.

She also gets the importance of the veil, so she and Sara make it for Meg, and Meg gets to marry Hubby-to-be who's totally thankful Craig finally made up his mind.

And as Meg tosses Jenny the bouquet, Craig says: "Hey, why not go to New Zealand?"

Uh, could someone sign me up for a guy like that? I want to go to New Zealand, too!

Maybe the continuation of this movie will be a destination wedding in Maori country!

This was fun, energetic, funny, and hilariously depicting the differences between men and women. I loved it, although Lana was a little bit bland as a character, but it might just be because Emilie shines so much when she's on screen.

Anyway, recommending this, for sure!

xx

*images and video not mine