"A Sweet Christmas Romance" has an unusual twist on the standard Christmas baking movie plot. In this version of this common story, a young woman competes with a group of strangers to take over a local bakery run by the town matron. The main character, Holly, is played well by Adelaide Kane who has spent a long time in New York but is from the small Maine town where the story takes place. Her competitor is the film's Hot Guy, Brad, who is portrayed by Greyston Holt. Holt doesn't have to do much besides be handsome and smile. That's ok though. This film doesn't need performances by the romantic leads. They can be regular people. Loretta Devine as Mrs. Rose steals the show as the proprietor of the bakery. She has all the exaggerated charm your grandmother has. Being from the south, I felt like I recognized her mannerisms from my own family.
Brad is a chef at a French restaurant that makes fancy desserts such as Pavlova. The film actually describes what Pavlova is if you're curious. Nothing so fancy is made in the contest, but that's ok. Fans of the Great British Baking Show may recognize the familiar manner in which the desserts are judged. About halfway through the movie, the film stops with its attention to how the food is prepared during the baking contest.
There is some compensation for this when Brad and Holly prepare different dishes during their date nights. Their interactions in these moments is heartfelt and appreciated. You get the feeling that these two are falling in love rather than being driven together entirely by plot contrivance. What is contrived is the sudden ending. It really ruined the whole experience for me. The film was doing so well at creating a real, human story to throw it all away for a super happy ending.
Brad is a chef at a French restaurant that makes fancy desserts such as Pavlova. The film actually describes what Pavlova is if you're curious. Nothing so fancy is made in the contest, but that's ok. Fans of the Great British Baking Show may recognize the familiar manner in which the desserts are judged. About halfway through the movie, the film stops with its attention to how the food is prepared during the baking contest.
There is some compensation for this when Brad and Holly prepare different dishes during their date nights. Their interactions in these moments is heartfelt and appreciated. You get the feeling that these two are falling in love rather than being driven together entirely by plot contrivance. What is contrived is the sudden ending. It really ruined the whole experience for me. The film was doing so well at creating a real, human story to throw it all away for a super happy ending.