Review

A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas (2019): A Review with Mountain-Sized Cheer

Move over The Sound of Music, because A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas is here to make the hills come alive with the sound of predictability and a sprinkle of festive charm. This is the kind of movie where the only thing cheesier than the dialogue is the string lights on every available surface.

The story centers on Willow (played by Rachael Leigh Cook), a hotel manager whose resume includes “master planner of last-minute holiday events” and “professional rekindler of forgotten Christmas spirit.” She returns to her hometown to save her sister’s wedding, because who else can save the day but a Hallmark heroine armed with a clipboard and a can-do attitude?

Enter David (Benjamin Ayres), a single dad who somehow manages to look ruggedly handsome while glaring at the world with a mild case of holiday-induced grumpiness. David is the current owner of Willow’s family’s old inn, and you can bet your peppermint latte that sparks will fly as they navigate a “should-we-sell-or-save-the-inn?” dilemma. Spoiler: saving the inn is basically Hallmark law.

The movie takes place in the idyllic Blue Ridge Mountains, which look suspiciously like Canada in the winter (because, let’s face it, it is). The scenery is stunning, filled with twinkling lights, perfectly placed snow, and more Christmas decorations than Santa’s workshop during peak season. If there was a “Most Overdecorated Wreath” competition, this movie’s set would win by a landslide.

David’s daughter Sophie is, of course, adorable, precocious, and probably already angling for a full-time gig as Cupid. The movie all but hands her the metaphorical bow and arrow as she subtly nudges Willow and David together with lines like, “Don’t you think my dad deserves some happiness?” (Honestly, this kid is better at matchmaking than most dating apps.)

The romance is as cozy as a flannel blanket, but also as predictable as your grandma’s fruitcake recipe. The moment Willow spills hot cocoa on David’s shirt, you know it’s game over. Throw in a dramatic almost-failure of the wedding plans and a last-minute, heartfelt group effort, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a classic Hallmark happy ending.

Sure, the plot is thinner than a gingerbread cookie, and you’ll see every twist coming a mile away. But isn’t that why we love Hallmark movies? They’re the cinematic equivalent of a hug from a relative who insists you need to eat more. And A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas delivers that warm, fuzzy feeling in spades.

In summary, this movie is like a Christmas ornament—fragile, sparkly, and something you’ll bring out every year to enjoy for a couple of hours before packing it away. If you’re in the mood for some mountain magic and a love story as sweet as sugarplum pie, this one’s worth the watch. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself Googling “Blue Ridge Mountain Inns for sale” afterward. 🎄