A Biltmore Christmas

My wife and I both really enjoy A Biltmore Christmas. So much so we decided to buy it on Amazon for anytime streaming. Now first of all, we are not Hallmark style movie fans. We simply do not find the overall genre enjoyable. That said, there have been a few well done movies we have chosen to watch more than once and/or purchase. A Biltmore Christmas was just quickly added to that list, but both of us wanted to buy it for further viewing.A Biltmore Christmas is one of these very few movies we find are well written with enjoyable characters, good, solid acting, and a nice story. Sometimes you just need that simple, light fare and A Biltmore Christmas offers that in spades. Set at the Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina, A Biltmore Christmas beautifully blends past and present in a nicely thought out story of cross-timeline love. A young women, tainted by her writing career and life in general, is assigned to write a script that is a remake of a classic black and white. As it always does, Christmas time and a lovely setting meld together to allow her to go back to that original Biltmore estate movie set, meet one of the stars, and...This one could have been hoaky, goofy, and overly sugary. But it’s not. It’s well done, well thought out, intelligent, and gives you a nice, engaging story. The two timelines blend seamlessly. And the charming “twist” fulfills movies like they should be - used to be - and leaves a satisfying The End.We are not big into such films, but we love old black and whites, well made films, and memorable outcomes, and A Biltmore Christmas ticks all those boxes, with a fresh and welcome modern movie.

In short, I highly recommend that you watch "A Biltmore Christmas." It's not just another Hallmark Christmas movie. The romance is sweet, the leads mesh well, the Biltmore is lovely, the time travel plot is refreshing. And if you enjoy the classic age of cinema, there are scattered black and white scenes of a fictional movie, too! A fictional movie which just so happens to carry a big message for real life.The Hallmark company did many right things with "A Biltmore Christmas." They avoided exhausted cliches, overused plots, and contrived Christmas spirit, and instead crafted a tale with engaging characters, a time travel plot with period atmosphere, and enough Christmas decorations to be cozy.The only actor I knew was "Riker" (who has a minor role here as "Winston"), so I'll refer to the leads as "Lucy" and "Jack." Having an hourglass transport Lucy back and forth in time was clever. I liked that Lucy wanted to write a script she believes, and her character arc is shaped by her experiences in 1947. Jack played a believable Hollywood not-yet-a-star, with confidence and compassion. The other cast members of "His Merry Wife!" round out the story with humor, ego, and determination. The scene with Jack and Lucy singing at the piano was nice, and felt like something that would've happened in that era.I personally loved the vintage clothing and hairstyles and what-not; Lucy looked adorable in those outfits. And a peek into filming a movie in bygone days was interesting. As with most time travel stories, there are illogical things that don't add up (like where did Lucy get the second outfit when she's stranded in 1947?). But while watching the movie, I didn't overthink, just enjoyed. I wish Lucy would've worn her hair in an updo more, because it really set off her eyes and features. (I also wish her formal gown wasn't so low-cut, but that was accurate to the period--this modern age, as well.) I liked Jack's charisma and belief in true love. I think an argument could be made for Lucy staying in the past, but understand why the writers didn't go that way.There are 2 scenes in a bar in 1947; Jack looks disheveled in the 2nd although he doesn't act drunk. When showing Jack and Lucy split-screen in their separate times, I was confused by Jack's nonchalant expression. Lucy's modern-day new friend, Margaret, didn't have a believable Southern accent to me, but she was super helpful and comedic. I wondered if Lucy and Jack spent enough time together to warrant lasting love (oops, I'm overthinking). I didn't agree that Lucy's rewritten final scene was a tear-jerker; the actors were too happy. I wanted more emotion from Jack when he finally sees Lucy again. Also, wishing each other "Merry Christmas" just seemed like something to fill a Hallmark Christmas checklist; there would've been plenty more important things they could've said. But hats off to Hallmark, master of happily ever afters, because I was actually wondering if we'd get a melancholy ending instead this time, which I really would've understood but was still pleased by how they put the couple together again.The DVD menu consists of "Play Movie" and "English Subtitles On/Off."No worries for family viewing here. The content is clean. The switching between eras is shown well by the lighting change--a more warm and soft glow envelops the library in 1947. This unique plot showcases the Biltmore Estate in a subtle way, letting the characters bring you into their world. I'm glad we stumbled upon this movie at the library and am happy to now own it!

I don't usually expect to love a Hallmark movie this much. Though, I have plenty of them that I come back to again and again, THIS one is SPECIAL!! I love the writing! I love the acting! I love that even though it is an implausible context for real life, it is precisely that skepticism the main character feels that makes the audience immediately relate. Add that to the FABULOUS recreation on screen of the 1940's era, and the whole movie experience is just an unexpected gem in a sea of blandness that is contemporary film these days. Christopher Polaha's leading man is the perfect blend of the classic greats. But, Bethany Joy Lenz is brilliant as she brings us all right along with her as she navigates the bizarre twists of time and fate in this deliciously enchanting modern-day fairytale. I can watch it all year round and it never grows old!

Great Christmas movie, it is fun to watch and the characters draw you in. And it has the little bit of heart ache that the people wont end up together. You will have to watch it and find out.

The best hallmark Christmas movie! Great acting by the male lead actor. His acting looks and sounds like the men in older black and white movies.

I absolutely love this movie! I’ve probably watched it 10 times and I do not tire of it. It is so well done, and the acting is excellent. I don’t normally like time travel movies but this one is different. The storyline is great and it is not your cookie cutter Hallmark movie. I’m so happy to own my own copy now and I highly recommend it!

Just love this movie…DVD was perfect!

One of the best new Christmas movies