Godwink Christmas
Stars: Kimberly Sustad, Paul Campbell, and Kathie Lee Gifford
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
As Christmas approaches, Paula, a St. Louis antique appraiser, reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Daniel. Sensing her reticence, her Aunt Jane invites Paula to her Nantucket home. When Paula visits nearby Martha’s Vineyard, she meets a charming inn owner, Gery, and enjoys the celebrating the holiday festivities with him. Although Paula develops feelings for Gery, she moves forward with her engagement, but Aunt Jane reminds her that sometimes we receive messages from above to help determine which direction life should take. From author SQuire Rushnell of the God Winks book series
Thoughts
Oh no. This one is inspired by a true story. To be clear. I am speaking of the movies not the real people who this movie is based on.
Paul works with antiques who dreams of opening her own shop in St Louis and has an Aunt named Jane in Nantucket. Jane is a writer and wants Paul to come visit her. Before Paula can visit she has to check with her boyfriend, Daniel. He is swamped with work and kind of giving her the run around. Daniel make dinner plans for his parents and sister with Paula. He proposes to her and is so handsome and work focused that I would say “YES GURL.” Paula reluctantly does say yes, but doesn’t like Christmas cheer and he is worried that they will have too much decor whe she moves in with him. They argue about how they envision their lives together.
Gery, significantly less attractive man, owns an Inn and going through a divorce. He is living a traditional Christmas life in Martha’s Vineyard with Dorothy his kooky aunt/friend? She runs the inn and is obsessed with making soup.
Paula calls her Aunt Jane crying because she isn’t sure if she is making the right decision. Aunt Jane buys Paula a ticket to Nantucket. Before she goes Daniel’s sister stops by and sees that Paula isn’t wearing her engagement ring and tells Paula she wants to be a marine biologist? (What this is so random.)
In Nantucket, Aunt Paula books Paula a day trip ticket to Martha’s Vineyard to spend some time alone and do some retail therapy. At the airport, Gary shows up to pick up a package and offers to give Paula a ride into town when her cab breaks down. On the ride they to town they stop by the youth center and Paula is excited to see the kids getting into decorating. Gery and Paula stop at his inn and have some of Dorothy’s soup and talk about Paula’s obsession with antiquing. They awkward handshake hug before they part ways.
In town, Paula inspired by the store owners and the charm of the small town stores. She finds an old timey painting and evaluates suggests it might be worth something. The owner of the story is very appreciative. Paula then runs into Gery who is helping his friend fix his cab again. Paula and Gery get coffee and talk about how she wants to open a shop someday. He gives her a lift to the airport, but all flights have been. Paula is stranded and staying at Gery’s inn, naturally.
A Christmas tree lighting happens, Paula teaches everyone how make their own decorations, and her and Gery grow closer… literally overnight. Instead of booking her flight out, Paula goes to check on the shop owner to see about the painting. It’s real and Paula decides to buy the painting. Turns out the antique store is for sale, perhaps Paula will buy that too.
Finally back in Nantucket, Paula tells her aunt she has feeling for Gery and loved the town. They go for a walk along the dock and Aunt Jane says the title of the movie, “Sometimes God doesn’t speak to us, sometimes he… winks.”
Paula is very emotional and even more confused when Daniel shows up to surprise her. He is confused as to why she isn’t wearing her ring. She tells him that she feels they are out of sync and don’t know each other like they used to.
Meanwhile, Gery is getting ready for the town Christmas festival and he gets the painting Paula bought in the mail. He brings it back to the antique shop and is then informed that Paula bought it for him. He calls her and asks her to stay, he asks her to change for flight because he will be in Nantucket in an hour to see her.
Gery has to tell Paula that he got a divorce and that the print she gave him was similar to the one he found when he bought the inn. They just feel right. Paula tells him she is engaged and can’t pursue this any further
Back in St Louis, Paula and Daniel try to make it work, but still aren’t communicating well. He is always working and she is looking at carousels sadly. Paula goes to Daniel’s work and break up with him, before he can respond his work phone rings and he has to take the call and prove why she is breaking up with him.
Paula flies back to the east coast and is with Aunt Jane. They take a cab again and it is Buddy the cab driver who’s cab keeps breaking down. It breaks down but this time, right by the carousel. Gery goes to help with the cab and also see the lights. Paula and Gery meet by the carousel and almost kiss. It was all arranged by Aunt Jane and Dorothy! They are God winking or was God actually winking. I’m not really sure. Seems like this one should be called “Meddling Aunts.”
Side Note
My fave Hallmark actress, Dolores Drake is back again! Rudely not getting a credit on IMDB.
The movie was inspired by the true love story of Gery and Paula Conover, who own the Charlotte Inn on Martha’s Vineyard.
Kathie Lee was surprisingly not terrible, despite not being able to move her face.
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Overall rating
🎄 (1 Christmas Trees)
🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 (5 glasses of wine required)
*Photo Credit: © 2018 Crown Media United States, LLC
Worst movie. Ever. Worst actor: Gery. Worst chemistry. Least testosterone of any Hallmark movie (which is saying a LOT).
Haha! Thank you for your comment, Hallmark Holly!