A Christmas Coincidence: Second Chance, First Love

The first film may not have been great or without its flaws, but it was decent. The second also didn't blow my mind, but was the superior film and one of the better Hallmark follow ups. And Hallmark have always varied with their follow ups, some surprisingly good, others mediocre at best. Was hoping that this third film, again with different leads like the second film, wouldn't be the latter. Brooke D'Orsay and Sam Page have both been good in other things so expectations were hardly low. Luckily, this second follow up is in the former category of surprisingly good. Again, there are flaws and it could have been better and done even more with a great premise. Like the second film, it is to me better than the first film and on par with the second. As far as Hallmark follow ups go, it's towards being one of the better ones. The first film has the best leads, but the follow ups handle their messaging more subtly and are more consistent tonally. While D'Orsay and Page are great individually, the two could have had more chemistry together. It's there, just that it could have done with more spark and the relationship itself could have had more development. Did think as well that the ending was on the too convenient and tidy side and some of the dialogue still a bit awkward and sugary. However, there is much to recommend. It has an at least professional look to it, the scenery is very pretty with a cosy look to it and the photography is slick. The music is generally not as constant or as over-scored as Hallmark Christmas films can be, with some nice soundtrack choices throughout. The direction is assured enough. There are enough moments that made me smile and came over as genuinely sweet, mostly too without being overly so. Even though flawed, the story had a sincere charm often, it was often light on its feet and it did warm the heart enough. The more serious moments fit easily and don't come over as over sentimental, any tonal gear changes don't feel abrupt. D'Orsay is endearingly charming and Page a sympathetic partner, while Michele Scarabelli brings class and zest to her role (prefer her over Kathie Lee Gifford). The rest of the supporting cast do more than ably. The film does well at making me care for the characters too. In conclusion, very nice film. 7/10.

This is a true-life second chance romance between outdoor guide/single father and hometown high school sweetheart turned marketing executive. Pat moved to Hawaii to take a job post high school this ending their childhood romance, divorce and two kids later he ends up back in Boise, Idaho where it all began...two kids in tow. Fate seems to keep bringing them together including matching job offers in Seattle! If six years of buying the same gift for one another (her gift a charm for her bracelet, his gift a coordinating ornament) didn't tell them that they were destined to be together, I Don't know what would. I hope that part of this real life story is true, because it is pretty special.

I was so excited to see this installment of the "Godwink" Christmas series. All unrelated stories, all based on true couples with cute romances, you can expect them to be extremely corny. After all, the premise is God "winking" at a couple who needs a little nudge to get together. Add that to a Christmas setting, and this Hallmark franchise is just about as cheesy as it gets. But there are lots of people who love those types of movies and look forward to them every year, so don't knock them until you've watched a couple. Starring Sam Page and Brooke D'Orsay as high school sweethearts reunited years later, they both "coincidentally" run into each other driving through the streets of Boise. Brooke actually recognizes his car (those who just rolled their eyes can turn the movie off now). Sam has an ex-wife, two sons, and no job. He's just moved home after living his dream adventure job in Hawaii. You can't help but feel a little sad, since his life didn't turn out the way he wanted it. And, since he's obviously going to get back together with his high school girlfriend, it makes you wonder if the past fifteen years had been a big waste. Don't throw anything at me; I know he loves his children. But he'll also love the children he'll have with Brooke just as much. When you watch this one, just throw realism out the window. Yes, it's based on a true story, and yes Brooke makes sure to say "Boise" the way Idahoans do, but the rest of it is pure fantasy. Sam's mom, Michele Scarabelli, looks way too young to be a grandmother. If it weren't for the white wig they made her wear, you'd think she was the female lead. Brooke's relationship with her co-worker and boyfriend, Zahf Paroo, is pretty forced. They've been long-distance for six months, and now that his transfer puts him in Boise with her, they're ... pretty anxious to stay as far apart as possible. Brooke's boss, Hallmark veteran Brenda Crichlow, does not treat her like an employee, and Brooke's best friend, Katrina Reynolds, has great energy but is far more supportive than real best friends. And does no one else notice that the younger actors cast as the teenage versions of the leads look absolutely nothing like them? Overall, even though I liked the cast, I didn't end up liking this movie. I'll stick with some of my favorites, Christmas in Rome and Miss Christmas. By the time Brooke declares their latest foray will be "the most amazing adventure in the world!" the cynics will no doubt mutter, "I don't care," under their breaths. Those who love corn, cheese, and mistletoe, will probably dab their eyes and hope something so romantic will happen to them.

I was surprised by how little screen time Brooke gets despite being the protagonist. Of course the movie could be about the male protagonist, but he's not presented as being the center of the story yet most of the screen time goes to pointless scenes about him having irrelevant conversations with his children. Her initial boyfriend, uncannily feminine, serves no purpose whatsoever in the story, which is yet another element the writers used to fill empty spaces and compensate for the lack of an actual story. Anyway, I'd say it's an okay family movie, just mislabeled as romance.

Sam Page and Brooke D'Orsay make a great team, have such a good chemistry, you can see it in their eyes, are like one of those couples where they start to look alike after time spent together, which makes the story even more believable and authentic. While it seems a lot like other Hallmark Christmas movies, the fact that it is inspired from a true story makes it special and I can agree, that signs like these, godwinks, blessing or whatever you call them, trully happen. So it's not just another ideal world pictured, but a real story. Definitely worth watching

The first two Godwink movies were much better than this one. Two lead characters were bland and had no chemistry at all. Take a pass.

source: A Christmas Coincidence: Second Chance, First Love

Sauce

The first two Godwink movies were much better than this one. Two lead characters were bland and had no chemistry at all. Take a pass.

Sam Page and Brooke D'Orsay job well done portraying a pair of high school sweethearts who run into each other nearly 2 decades after high school. They showed great chemistry like they picked up right from where they left off. The entire cast is good, and the story line which was based on the lives of a real codeword still married today.