Some spoilers in my comments..
I've appreciated that Hallmark has tried to create Christmas and Hanukkah movies that show life as we want it to be rather than how it is in December 2020. However, this movie was really tone deaf as it relates to how a town could turn around its economy.
Many of our cities, towns, neighborhoods, and individual citizens are hurting financially, emotionally, and mentally this year. To depict a mayor and city officials as having the authority - and then actually exercising it - to take away someone's personal and private property using eminent domain is outrageous. And to have zero characters in the movie take a stand against that kind of government over-reach was truly unbelievable.
I forced myself to watch the whole movie because I had to see for myself whether the script would turn for the father and daughter and their tree, or would stay the course and manipulate them into giving away their tree. How disappointed I was. It's Colorado! Literally thousands of gorgeous huge pine trees available. Why take this guy's tree out of his front yard? And why on earth would he fall in love with the woman who caused all the trouble?
This whole movie made me sad. It could have been a creative way to celebrate first responders (fire fighters), small towns, small business, adoption, outdoor activities, and following your dreams. The actors cast for the lead roles are good, but not even they could overcome a bad plot.
I've appreciated that Hallmark has tried to create Christmas and Hanukkah movies that show life as we want it to be rather than how it is in December 2020. However, this movie was really tone deaf as it relates to how a town could turn around its economy.
Many of our cities, towns, neighborhoods, and individual citizens are hurting financially, emotionally, and mentally this year. To depict a mayor and city officials as having the authority - and then actually exercising it - to take away someone's personal and private property using eminent domain is outrageous. And to have zero characters in the movie take a stand against that kind of government over-reach was truly unbelievable.
I forced myself to watch the whole movie because I had to see for myself whether the script would turn for the father and daughter and their tree, or would stay the course and manipulate them into giving away their tree. How disappointed I was. It's Colorado! Literally thousands of gorgeous huge pine trees available. Why take this guy's tree out of his front yard? And why on earth would he fall in love with the woman who caused all the trouble?
This whole movie made me sad. It could have been a creative way to celebrate first responders (fire fighters), small towns, small business, adoption, outdoor activities, and following your dreams. The actors cast for the lead roles are good, but not even they could overcome a bad plot.