Here at Ruthless Reviews, we love to watch film, and to review the movies we watch, whether they be good, bad or ugly. We especially love Indie Film and Christmas movies. I am pleased to state that Christmas at Mistletoe Manor checks none of these boxes. In fact, good does not even begin to describe this gorgeous movie. It was magnificent.
I am occasionally contacted by the creators of Indie film, offering to share screenings of their films. I try to review at least one Christmas movie per year from independent filmmakers. Shari at Happy Cheers was nice enough to send me a screening. The network cut of this movie is available on the Great American Family Channel, so check it out for local showings.
In this review, there will be a minimum of spoilers or plot details. We have Alice (Madeleine Coghlan) who is an incredibly cute and bubbly East Coast fledging YouTuber with a food channel. There is an early, but very appropriate reveal that sends her on a quest to a charming English castle, to put the remains of Hortense (her grandmother) to rest, and to try to unravel some of the mysteries of her ancestry.
Mistletoe Manor is a stunning B&B, operated by a young and handsome Oliver Colby (Lior Selve) and his tight-lipped Alfred Pennyworth-like Valet Lorenzo (Federico Dordei). Alice has booked her stay for a week, and her ebullient quest at first annoyed Oliver and Lorenzo, but Oliver was quickly mesmerized by the focused and charming Alice. Oh boy, we knew or hoped we knew where this was headed. As layers of history are uncovered, will we be treated to the inevitability of a love story? Maybe I’ve written too much, you will just have to watch this one to find out.
Christmas at Mistletoe Manor is a beautiful film directed by Shari Hamrick Grewal. From the opening scene, the cinematography is crisp and the sets and Christmas décor are simply gorgeous. The pacing was near perfect, and the film moved along smartly, and thankfully avoided any predictable Christmas movie tropes and religious or political baggage that so often torpedo holiday films. The acting skills of Alice, Oliver and Lorenzo were superior and the viewers of this film will be easily immersed with these genuine and believable performances.
As is typical of Indie films, this one was heavy on dialogue, but it did not fail to hold my attention for a single minute of the 1 hr. and 24 minute run-time. It was shot in San Bernardino Co., California, but I could have sworn that it was lensed in Jolly Ole England. Even with the chirpiness of Alice, Mistletoe Manor skillfully avoided the dreck and sappiness often seen in “Hallmark” type Christmas movies, and I greatly appreciated this.
I highly recommend this special treat of a movie for holiday viewing.
10.0/10.0 With the Goatesians Rating of must-see Indie Holiday Film
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