Review of Christmas Land

Although this Hallmark plot is similar to others in the Hallmark Christmas collection, the well cast actors in this appealing story and the uniquely picturesque setting contribute to the special charm of this film. The opening scene with Nikki as a young child making Christmas ornaments with her grandmother, then the grandmother filming a video of she and her beloved granddaughter on the sleigh adds unity to the plot and theme. Long after the grandmother's passing, the video she made is part of the motivation for luring Nikki back to live at Christmas Land. The conflict is strong throughout complete with a Scrooge like real estate agent who conspires with Nikki's heartless, big city boyfriend to steal the farm from her. The negative reviews of this lovely film on this site baffle me because the reviews seem to be critiquing a plot device that merely reveals the reality of the real estate business today. It's as if some Hallmark viewers cannot accept any realism in a Hallmark movie. In the final scenes of the film, the forgiving attitude of Nikki and the townspeople toward the ruthless estate agent seem to anger many viewers. Yet, it is not out of character for the generous, yuletide-spirited townspeople and the transformed Nikki who is re-energized by Christmas cheer to forgive the greedy real estate villain as they celebrate saving Christmas Land. The ending of Christmas Land offers the happy-ever-after idealism of all Hallmark films complete with the loving couple kissing in the final scene but it also adds a dose of realism that contributes to a larger message. If you have a chance to see this captivating movie, you should do so.