Joyeux Noel
Definitely not this Joyeux Noel
A Denver art gallery exhibits an intriguing painting by an unknown artist. Simultaneously (obvs), Lea discovers an antique jewelry box in a local store containing sketches of the painting and journal entries documenting a love story set in a quaint French village that hosts an annual Christmas market. So what’s a Hallmark heroine to do? Why, set off to France to solve the mystery of the painting and love story, and with a crusty, experienced reporter (Mark) along to show her the ropes, of course! After all, this wouldn’t be a Hallmark movie without as much forced romance as possible.
Now, this is the second Hallmark Christmas movie where Jaicy Elliott has played a reporter of sorts after My Southern Family Christmas last year. A closeted future career aspiration, perhaps?
This could have been a love letter to France and French Christmas traditions, but honestly it felt like any shooting they did on location in Rouen was for naught. Just not enough to really showcase the town and its history in a real way. And to boot, the storyline just wasn’t that engaging and - of course - had a forced romance between the protagonists.
Swing and a miss with this one.
You’ll like this if…
You watch just about everything Hallmark airs.
SCORE: 3/10
Tell me more!
When a romantic painting of a Christmas market captures the imagination of copy editor Lea, she is sent to France with pragmatic reporter Mark to uncover the mystery behind the artist. Starring Jaicy Elliot and Brant Daugherty.
