Watched 'A Royal Winter' with not the highest of expectations, fairly mixed actually. While loving Christmas for as long as can be remembered and seeing Samantha Bond (capable of good performances herself) in the cast, Hallmark have been very variable (veering towards average or less more than once) when it comes to films of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. The title sounded sweet but the concept sounded so been there, done that and flimsy.
Luckily, 'A Royal Winter' turned out to be much better than expected, being well above average and even really quite good. Which is not what the plot synopsis indicated it would be if it was executed wrongly. It may not be flawless or a masterpiece, but it is for me one of the best Hallmark Christmas films out of a very mixed bunch and one of the best of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. Actually being one of the good ones and one that rises above its concept.
Sure it is thin in story, being very predictable and taking a bit of time to get going. A lot of situations being quite over-familiar and lacking freshness.
Did feel that 'A Royal Winter' ends too patly and the midway 180 character change comes too out of nowhere.
All the cast are good however, with appealing lead performances from Merritt Patterson and Jack Donnelly and Bond being regal and with no signs of overacting or being bored. 'A Royal Winter' is one of not many Hallmark Christmas films to have no characters that didn't annoy me, questioned the point of or come over as lacking in personality. The chemistry between Patterson and Donnelly comes over as very sweet and natural, no signs of being forced or disconnected. Often have reservations with the use of music in their films, it was used well to me and had a festive feel, not sounding overdone in placement or balance.
It looks good, especially the interiors of the royal home which are wonderfully opulent. Lovingly shot too. The script doesn't get too corny or schmaltzy, the odd cringeworthy line here and there but there is heart here and a nice amount of playfulness. The story lacks surprises, but is very charming, very sweet, entertainingly light-hearted and movingly heart-warming.
On the whole, nicely done. 7/10.
