Christmas in My Heart (2021 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries)
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Cast: Heather Hemmens, Luke Macfarlane, Sheryl Lee Ralph
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
Concert violinist Beth tutors the daughter of reclusive Country music star Sean to prep her for the holiday concert. They are joined through the connective power of music. Starring Heather Hemmens, Luke Macfarlane and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Beth is a West Virginian music teacher who seems to have some trouble vocalizing on pitch. She got into music from a music box given to her by her parents. (Her mother MAY be dead?)
Luke Macfarlane, my favorite Hallmark Gay Actor, is back playing country boy/widower Sean. A single father mechanic who inspires his daughter Katie/Kat to pursue music with some fatherly advice. He visits a music store and runs into the music teacher Beth, who is rude AF. She shames Sean for his country music preference and thinks he is idiotic.
It turns out that Sean is not just a mechanic/father; he is also a country music superstar. He wants to hire Beth as Kat’s violin teacher, but she declines via text. Kat sees the text, offers double the pay, and sets up the meeting for a lesson to get herself ready for a school recital.
Sheryl Lee Ralph is Kat’s grandmother Ruthie. She encourages Katie to pursue her musical dreams and tells her that she is beautiful, even with her natural hair. (Small but nice detail to include for young black girls who watch Hallmark.) Sean feels overwhelmed, raising Katie on his own. He is very thankful for Ruthie’s and his Jewish manager’s help. (The manager is worried about Sean because he has been out of the music business for three years.)
When Beth shows up for the music lesson, Sean is confused. He doesn’t believe practicing scales will replace musical talent. Beth clarifies that she was offered double her pay rate and will be leaving town after the holidays, so she can only do a short-term job. Beth also gets hired to direct the Christmas music for a local show in honor of her late mother.
At the first of a few, I’m sure, recitals, Beth fake plays “here we come a-wassailing” on the violin in its entirety. She does so well that Beth is offered the second chair. Sean is so impressed he says, ” It is so nice to hear that kind of music in West Virginia.” (Which is rude to West Virginians. I’m sure they like classical music as much as anywhere else.)
Sean is inspired by Beth and clumsily strums the guitar working on his next hit song. Then he decorates the family Christmas Tree with Katie and Beth. They debate which is better classical music or country music. Sean asks Beth to help him pick out some classical records for Katie. The day/not date is interrupted by Ruthie, who encourages the relationship.
Beth breaches Sean’s trust by talking to Katie about her mother without him present. He gets defensive and fires Beth. Katie is upset that her father stopped her lessons and took away her confidant. The father and daughter have some real talk about the passing of Angela and work it out.
The argument throws Beth off, and she botches her second chair audition. She is given a second chance to prove herself.
Sean and Beth make up after Sean apologizes for overreacting. He shares the song he has been working on with her, and even though she doesn’t like country music, Beth loves the song, except the bridge. (I, on the other hand, hated the whole thing! I’m sorry.) who told Luke Macfarlan he was a good singer??? I’m baffled. He is a beautiful man, but he doesn’t have a beautiful voice.
Now that Beth and Sean are in love, both their musical endeavors really sing. Beth nails her violin audition and is offered the second chair on the spot. Sean starts recording in the studio again. Yay! Oh, wait. Nooooo! Both jobs will take Beth and Seth out of town.
It is the night of Katie’s recital, and her Grandma Ruthie honors Beth’s late mother and introduces her granddaughter. Beth rushes from her classical concert to see Katie at her recital.
Katie struggles on stage and is embarrassed. Beth and Sean bust out their instruments and join Katie on stage. It is a real von Trapp moment. Then Ruthie jumps on stage, making it truly a family affair. They sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” (I gotta say it REALLY put me in the Christmas spirit.)
Sean decides to stay in town and turn the barn into a recording studio. He invites Beth and her father to join their family for Christmas dinner. He also asks her out on a New Years date. Then they kiss under the mistletoe.
Side Note
Minority Report: Beth, Katie, Hayley, Ruthie,
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Christmas Trees represent the Christmas vibes. *** I’ve updated the rating system. Wine is overall enjoyment (NOT a value judgment) on a 1-5 scale.
I will use the following tags for those who want to know if they should watch or skip: Pour it Up (Would Recommend) or Put A Cork In It (Would Not Recommend).
Overall rating
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄🎄🎄 (4 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
*Photo Credit: © 2021 Hallmark Crown Media
Live tweet along with @LifetimeUncork using the hashtag #ChristmasinMyHeart
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