Holiday enthusiast helps business addict lighten up and enjoy the season...meanwhile he helps her with her business acumen and he acquires an international contract in the process.
Our heroine is sweet and I love her red and white peppermint candy scarf.
Our hero is handsome and kind.
I appreciated that they used a German Christmas village in their sets.
Light holiday fun that we expect from hallmark.
43 Reviews
I'd love to rate this higher, but ...
VetteRanger1 December 2019
We start off with the cliche of the "Holiday Spirit challenged exec", and it doesn't really get any better. That was disappointing, because there are three people in this movie that we enjoyed in other Christmas movies (Nine Lives of Christmas, Mistletoe Promise, and the "Finding Father Christmas" trilogy).
Here, however, the entire foundation of character interaction is built on awkward conversations. That would be OK, except there is far too much of it, and the actors try to sell it by "act cute", rather than just performing. The result comes off very stilted, unnatural, and at times just annoying.
This won't be on our rewatch list.
Here, however, the entire foundation of character interaction is built on awkward conversations. That would be OK, except there is far too much of it, and the actors try to sell it by "act cute", rather than just performing. The result comes off very stilted, unnatural, and at times just annoying.
This won't be on our rewatch list.
It's a Hallmark movie, What do you expect?
calvintoronto3 January 2020
These people are wealthy, or wealthy enough. They have perfect skin and exist in well-appointed movie sets. Everything is carefully thought out, including the dialogue. They unwrap gifts on Christmas morning, and they float in an ocean of coloured paper. You don't have to think. It's made for Christmas. Who wants toi think at Christmas time? It's already stressful.
Most awkwardly is the use -- and I use this word "use" purposefully -- of the Af-Am kid, whom the leads, as babysitters, take out for fun and frolic. The attempt to be "multi-racial" is so strained it hurts. The kid seems to be in another movie altogether, one in which he has been abducted by these two white aliens with great teeth. Equally awkward is Erin Krakow, who, when it comes to dramatic turns, displays the gamut of emotions from A to B. Her facial expressions just can't stretch that far.
The only reason to watch this is guilty pleasure Luke Macfarlane. He is gorgeous and watchable, and plays the part suitably. I was in a hotel room when I came across it, and went to the hotel gym and ran on a treadmill and watched the rest of it. It was Christmas and it was fine.
Most awkwardly is the use -- and I use this word "use" purposefully -- of the Af-Am kid, whom the leads, as babysitters, take out for fun and frolic. The attempt to be "multi-racial" is so strained it hurts. The kid seems to be in another movie altogether, one in which he has been abducted by these two white aliens with great teeth. Equally awkward is Erin Krakow, who, when it comes to dramatic turns, displays the gamut of emotions from A to B. Her facial expressions just can't stretch that far.
The only reason to watch this is guilty pleasure Luke Macfarlane. He is gorgeous and watchable, and plays the part suitably. I was in a hotel room when I came across it, and went to the hotel gym and ran on a treadmill and watched the rest of it. It was Christmas and it was fine.
A bit disappointing
larissaexalto16 December 2019
I love Erin Krakow in When calls the heart but this film is a bit disappointing. It has its moments but over all the story is just too shallow. Hallmark movies are of course Hallmark movies and you shouldn't expect too much depth but this script is just not good enough. The title suggest that it has something to do with Jane Austen but in reality it does not. Too bad that these two actors didn't get a better script.
It was cute
Luvhallmark15 January 2020
I know most people who left reviews were really disappointed in this movie. Was it over the top sugar, spice and everything nice- SURE for the most part but it worked for me. I truly enjoy Kimberly Sustad and as other reviewers stated, she is SO UNDER-USED at Hallmark! She's a fantastic actress, can easily show a range of emotions, I really hope Hallmark LISTENS to its viewers... we want more KS please! I do enjoy EK as well but KS made this movie very watchable. I have always liked LM but wow, I had no clue he was gay, I just have to say, I can no longer look at him the same way, as a very handsome, sexy male 😞... yes he's so easy on the eyes but I will have a hard time now when he's cast again as lead male, and please, I have nothing against LGBTQ community but not a straight male paired with a woman when we know he's gay, ruins it for me. I wish I didn't read the other reviews because I never would've known his sexual preference. Getting back to the movie, I DID enjoy it.
Hallmark Christmas feels!
megankayolsen1 December 2019
A Jane Austen Christmas
TheLittleSongbird18 August 2020
Despite not being all that enamoured generally with Hallmark's 2019 output, 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' was still seen for completest sake. As well as because of my lifelong love for Christmas and my love for the source material that the film is loosely inspired by (Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility'). Luke Macfarlane is always watchable. Despite what people might think reading past reviews for Hallmark's festive offerings, some of which are quite critical, not all of them are bad. There are above average ones out there.
'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' isn't one of them sadly. The premise sounded like there would be a couple of attempts to be different, but mostly story-wise it was typical Hallmark in the cookie cutter fashion that is seen in too many of their Christmas offerings. As far as Hallmark's 2019 Christmas films go, 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' is neither one of the best or worst, somewhere around low middle. As a film on its own, it didn't strike me as a terrible film but it is a long way from great.
There are good things here definitely, it takes a lot for me actually to call a Hallmark film or anything film/television etc-related irredeemable. It's nicely filmed and has some very eye catching scenery. There are some pleasant moments on the soundtrack.
Macfarlane is a likeable enough male lead and Kimberley Sustad is spirited support.
Erin Krakow however is the opposite. She badly overacts with no attempts at nuance or making the character more than a stereotype and the character grates very quickly, nothing likeable or endearing about her. She has no chemistry with Macfarlane, they even look uncomfortable together. All the chemistry seemed disconnected between all and the rest of the acting is nothing memorable. The direction never rises above workmanlike at best and tends to be pedestrian.
While the soundtrack has moments, it tends to be used too much and over-scored. Very intrusive too often. The script is basically the shallowest of froths, more sugary than a candy cane and cheesier than cheese gone off. The story is very dull and thin, and is also very contrived and without anything fresh. The characters don't engage or are easy to root for on the whole, especially Ella.
Summing up, very lacklustre. 4/10
'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' isn't one of them sadly. The premise sounded like there would be a couple of attempts to be different, but mostly story-wise it was typical Hallmark in the cookie cutter fashion that is seen in too many of their Christmas offerings. As far as Hallmark's 2019 Christmas films go, 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen' is neither one of the best or worst, somewhere around low middle. As a film on its own, it didn't strike me as a terrible film but it is a long way from great.
There are good things here definitely, it takes a lot for me actually to call a Hallmark film or anything film/television etc-related irredeemable. It's nicely filmed and has some very eye catching scenery. There are some pleasant moments on the soundtrack.
Macfarlane is a likeable enough male lead and Kimberley Sustad is spirited support.
Erin Krakow however is the opposite. She badly overacts with no attempts at nuance or making the character more than a stereotype and the character grates very quickly, nothing likeable or endearing about her. She has no chemistry with Macfarlane, they even look uncomfortable together. All the chemistry seemed disconnected between all and the rest of the acting is nothing memorable. The direction never rises above workmanlike at best and tends to be pedestrian.
While the soundtrack has moments, it tends to be used too much and over-scored. Very intrusive too often. The script is basically the shallowest of froths, more sugary than a candy cane and cheesier than cheese gone off. The story is very dull and thin, and is also very contrived and without anything fresh. The characters don't engage or are easy to root for on the whole, especially Ella.
Summing up, very lacklustre. 4/10
Totally enjoyable
jimpowellsf2 August 2020
Look, it's a Hallmark movie. If you're going to watch it then you probably already know what you're going to get. Yes, it's predictable, but I also found it enjoyable. Obviously, I'm not hung up on the Jane Austen concerns that other people have. As a standalone movie, the storyline pretty much follows the Hallmark movie pattern, but it had its fair share of warmth and humor.
It was ok
rhonnie-431391 August 2021
I am biased I will admit. Not crazy about the two lead characters - they always act the same no matter the script.
Most of the time I can stomach the male lead. The female lead is annoying, as usual. But I liked Kimberly's character so I gave it four more stars than I would have done otherwise.
Most of the time I can stomach the male lead. The female lead is annoying, as usual. But I liked Kimberly's character so I gave it four more stars than I would have done otherwise.
Just so bad!
broylesbeth-2656212 December 2019
The lead actors had zero chemistry and the acting was stilted or overly saccharine. Kimberley Sustad is one of my favorite, yet underused, actresses at hallmark and really deserves to be the lead in more movies. She wasn't given much to work with in this, but did a good job compared to Erin Krakow who apparently thinks "acting" is just walking around gazing at everything with wonder and a huge insane smile on her face. I've seen her in other movies and this seems to just be her style. I usually like Luke Macfarlane but in this he was sooooo robotic. It was like he forgot how to form a sentence in any sort of normal way.
Luke must have a sore back
kimraspberrytart5 January 2021
Lots worthy of criticizing, but it got better
Jackbv1233 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Erin and Luke! I'm so sorry you had to follow this script. For starters, take as many Christmas and romance tropes that you can and jam them all together around the party-planner premise. Worst of all was misunderstood-what-you-saw which doubled down with misunderstood-what-you-heard with a different person not a minute later. Please!
Then there was dialogue. They must have thought it was witty. Maybe for a 13 year old. At least I don't remember hearing "you like-like" him or her. But add to the dialogue some grown ups acting pretty goofy, and it didn't really fit.
We didn't get off to a great start with Ella. Does any viewer of this type movie not hate the boastful overconfident incompetent glide-through-life character? If that hadn't been overdone, it wouldn't be so bad. Fortunately Ella turned it around pretty quickly.
Didn't love the French accents.
After all this criticism, which I think is at least mostly accurate, I didn't hate the movie. Part of that is because Ella was almost like a different person for most of the movie after that rough start. By half way or more Krakow and Macfarlane were clicking together. I may be biased because I love these two individually. Something about Krakow makes you go ah.
Also, there was one interesting twist on the usual. Usually the lead potential lovers have a spat based on one discovering something the other was hiding, but in this case it was the sisters. The spat between the sisters was carried out and healed very much like it would be with the lovers.
Then there was dialogue. They must have thought it was witty. Maybe for a 13 year old. At least I don't remember hearing "you like-like" him or her. But add to the dialogue some grown ups acting pretty goofy, and it didn't really fit.
We didn't get off to a great start with Ella. Does any viewer of this type movie not hate the boastful overconfident incompetent glide-through-life character? If that hadn't been overdone, it wouldn't be so bad. Fortunately Ella turned it around pretty quickly.
Didn't love the French accents.
After all this criticism, which I think is at least mostly accurate, I didn't hate the movie. Part of that is because Ella was almost like a different person for most of the movie after that rough start. By half way or more Krakow and Macfarlane were clicking together. I may be biased because I love these two individually. Something about Krakow makes you go ah.
Also, there was one interesting twist on the usual. Usually the lead potential lovers have a spat based on one discovering something the other was hiding, but in this case it was the sisters. The spat between the sisters was carried out and healed very much like it would be with the lovers.
Just did not click
ddicks22 December 2019
I love Sappy Christmas movies but I have to buy into the lead characters and in this show the leads did not click. The lead characters expressions and interactions seemed forced and unbelievable. To be honest I almost stopped watching because I lost interest. Again my bar is set really low for happy sappy Christmas movies but this one was almost unwatchable for me.
Formulaic Christmas Romance
atlasmb19 December 2023
This Hallmark holiday romance takes place in Chicago, where two sisters---Ella (Erin Krakow) and Marianne (Kimberley Sustad)---run a party-planning company. They have difficulty, naturally, with one client named Edward (Luke Macfarlane), who is the CEO of Ferris Wheel Toys.
I enjoy Erin Krakow, but the relationship between the two sisters was annoying. It seemed like Marianne was always dismissive of her sister. As for the Edward character, he is meant to be somewhat annoying. And he suffers from Impostor Syndrome. Eventually, their oil-and-water relationship turns to playful teasing , then to actual sharing. Still, the chemistry was somewhat lacking.
The script offers little originality, though the "Sense &Sensibility" theme is loosely relevant.
I enjoy Erin Krakow, but the relationship between the two sisters was annoying. It seemed like Marianne was always dismissive of her sister. As for the Edward character, he is meant to be somewhat annoying. And he suffers from Impostor Syndrome. Eventually, their oil-and-water relationship turns to playful teasing , then to actual sharing. Still, the chemistry was somewhat lacking.
The script offers little originality, though the "Sense &Sensibility" theme is loosely relevant.
Hallmark is Hallmark but still
gary-426-1612721 November 2023
Be ready -to -wear right off the rack. Don't get me wrong: Hallmark fans expect a certain product. We want to know who is the incompatible couple within the first 10 minutes, and we expect that they will kiss politely within the last 60 seconds of the film. The leads are reliable; the direction is professional; the snow is pleasant and not too deep; and sometime or another there will be a Christmas tree lighting. I'll find and good. But the whole experience should not feel so cookie cutter that you wonder after the last kiss whether you really would have missed very much if you had skipped it after the first 10 minutes and just come back for the last kiss.
Light and playful, not romantic
MickyG33329 November 2022
5.6 stars.
Reminds me of my high school days. This is not something to take seriously. It's as if a bunch of awkward teenagers inherited multi-million dollar companies, and were left to their own devices to run them into the ground.
The older sister and responsible guy have the burden of keeping the younger ones focused and on track. Younger sister and her guy are acting like 16 year olds, and their older counterparts are like parents, yet they are all basically the same age. Younger sister is trying to get her older sister to be proud of her, but is she really? I don't know to be honest, it's all over the place.
It's a semi-fun movie, like a couple of kids are doing a school project with no sense of responsibility.
What's not to love about the cast? I like all of them, they rarely disappoint. This looks like it was a fun script, but who is the targeted demographic? Doesn't seem to be a kids movie, not for the YA fans, so whom? I am getting mixed feelings, but nothing is coming to mind but one word: silly.
Go into this with no expectations, just to smile and have some fun. Break out the hot chocolate, put this on if you have no agenda for anything with a particular theme or purpose.
Reminds me of my high school days. This is not something to take seriously. It's as if a bunch of awkward teenagers inherited multi-million dollar companies, and were left to their own devices to run them into the ground.
The older sister and responsible guy have the burden of keeping the younger ones focused and on track. Younger sister and her guy are acting like 16 year olds, and their older counterparts are like parents, yet they are all basically the same age. Younger sister is trying to get her older sister to be proud of her, but is she really? I don't know to be honest, it's all over the place.
It's a semi-fun movie, like a couple of kids are doing a school project with no sense of responsibility.
What's not to love about the cast? I like all of them, they rarely disappoint. This looks like it was a fun script, but who is the targeted demographic? Doesn't seem to be a kids movie, not for the YA fans, so whom? I am getting mixed feelings, but nothing is coming to mind but one word: silly.
Go into this with no expectations, just to smile and have some fun. Break out the hot chocolate, put this on if you have no agenda for anything with a particular theme or purpose.
Just bad
Northener27 December 2019
As several reviewers have noted, Krakow is the worst part of this poor quality movie. Why Hallmark continues to put her giant head with Stepford style perma-smile at the center of these productions is incomprehensible. She cannot act! Kimberley Sustad deserves better.
As for Macfarlane, love him, but why do he and other gay actors continue to work for a network/company that specifically doesn't acknowledge their existence? I understand the need for work, go for it, you're an actor, you can play whoever you want. But come on, Hallmark just banned ads from the channel because it featured a gay kiss. You're welcome to work here, as long as you pretend to be what you are not. Nice greeting card Hallmark!
As for Macfarlane, love him, but why do he and other gay actors continue to work for a network/company that specifically doesn't acknowledge their existence? I understand the need for work, go for it, you're an actor, you can play whoever you want. But come on, Hallmark just banned ads from the channel because it featured a gay kiss. You're welcome to work here, as long as you pretend to be what you are not. Nice greeting card Hallmark!
The Best : Krakow and Sustad Together
montgomerysue4 December 2019
Rarely does a Hallmark Christmas movie feature two of its best actresses in the same movie, but here Hallmark does and it works perfectly. Erin Krakow and Kimberley Sustad are totally believable as sisters with a relatively new party planning business. They take on the job of working for the new CEO of a toy company at Christmastime. The plot involves overcoming obstacles in setting up the CEO's party at the last minute. At the same time, Krakow, as sister Ella, takes on the challenge of making the CEO find the "kid" inside himself while still building up his self-confidence.
Krakow's character is more playful and endearing than her usual roles and the terrific Krakow handles it effortlessly, with warmth and a delightful aplomb. As the more level-headed sister, Marianne, the always excellent Sustad plays the part with just the right amount of seriousness and dry humor. The couple of heart-tugging scenes are left to Sustad and she carries them off expertly, just as she did in "Nine Lives of Christmas" and the first "Godwink" movie. As the unsure, almost bumbling, CEO, Luke Mcfarlane is charming and fun to watch as his character evolves with the help of sister Ella. Mcfarlane is one of Hallmark's most interesting and talented actors, and he really plays this part effectively.
The Christmas spirit abounds here with dialogue that is sharp, witty, and sophisticated. The three stars are aces at playing it out. The sets and wardrobe are attractive and top-notch. There's little for the supporting cast to do, but with Krakow, Mcfarlane, and Sustad around, not much support is needed. David Winning has directed several classic Hallmark Christmas movies and he can add this to his classic best.
Bad Casting
deedee029 December 2021
I wish Kimberly Sustad had the lead role. She was so good in this movie. Erin and Luke had zero chemistry and the acting felt forced. I found myself wishing Marianne and Brandon were in more scenes. The child actor who played Thomas seemed bored and not interested in acting. I liked the story more than most reviewers...this could have been a much, much better movie with the right casting.
This movie is so terrible, I created account just to review it.
pelennor-512271 December 2019
I have seen a lot of Hallmark movies but this one was so awful it actually made me mad. First of all, if you are going to name a movie Sense and Sensibility, you should use more than just the names of the characters. Otherwise, it is just a kick in the teeth to Jane Austen fans. The characters of the sisters were not in any way similar to their Austen namesakes. But, I would forgive that oversight if the main character was not the most annoying person I have ever seen on screen. She was so irritating and unlikeable. The only bearable thing about this movie were the Marianne and Brandon characters. Badly done, Hallmark, badly done.
A Defiant 10.
rebekahrox3 December 2019
I've read all of Jane Austen's books and seen all of the films and series based on her books numerous times. I've read a lot of Austen-based modern interpretations as well. I am drawn to the numerous modern riffs on Austen and enjoyed many of them. My favorites are Clueless and Bollywood's Bride and Prejudice. So of course I've seen the previous attempts Hallmark has made to capitalize on Austen's current popularity. They were shameless exploitations because neither the plot nor the characters had anything to do with Jane's works. This one was different. Like Sense and Sensibility, we have two sisters who have an "Us against the world" mentality. One is flighty and starry-eyed, and one is practical and down to earth. They run a party planning business together. They are a believable version of what a modern Marianne and Eleanor might be. The love interest is a reserved button-down and shy corporate head who is dominated by an over-bearing parent and romantically linked to a childhood sweetheart. There is also a secondary love interest called Brandon. But here's where the scriptwriter wisely mixes it up. Instead of All-business practical Marianne (they also switch the names of the two sisters) being paired off with the Corporate stick-in-the mud, It is the lively Ella who takes him by storm and shakes up his life and attitudes. It is a very cute and more suitable to the modern Rom-com.
The chemistry between the two couples and and the sisters was romantic and touching. The acting was some of the best I have seen in a Hallmark lately. Erin Krakow was wide-eyed,energetic, and outgoing as her character called for. Erin surely has been doing these Hallmarks for 2 decades, but she hasn't changed a bit. She was charming. Kimberley Sustad, a Hallmark stalwart, made Marianne likable and understandable despite her buzz-kill personality. Even though the two characters had conflicts and conflicting world-views, their love and loyalty to each other was touchingly done and affecting. Luke McFarlane was superb. He usually plays a cardboard cut out romantic hero. In this one he started out as a real pill who slowly and realistically melted and opened up. I was very impressed by the job he did with the Edward Ferrar's personality. He was funny. I loved the chemistry between Luke and Erin, and couldn't wait for the final chaste clinch.
So yes, I give this a 10. Overgenerous? Perhaps. But with this one, I'm grading on the Hallmark curve against a singularly lackluster couple of years of Hallmark Christmas movies. I'm amazed at some of the sour and overwrought reviews this one has gotten. I can only think that their experience with modern Austen takes is pretty limited.
So bad. Jane Austen fans, your brain will hurt.
mmccann82371 December 2019
An annoying main character, a terrible script, and the utter violation of one of my favorite stories. Someone please tell screenwriters that making their leading lady annoyingly perky and also completely unable to function like a real adult isn't charming anymore and that the lead couple trading childish jabs isn't the same as witty banter and sexual tension.
Just Plain Fun (from an Austen fan)
jeepgirl224 December 2019
First off, I want to clarify that I love Jane Austen, I love Sense and Sensibility and the Emma Thompson/Kate Winslet adaptation is one of my favorite films without question - I adore that movie! Ok, we're my Austen-loving sensibilities offended by this Hallmark rendition? Not in the least! True, it resembles Jane Austen's plot very little, the Ella (Elena) and Marianne characters were completely switched and pretty much only some character names were recognizeable. So, what? Whoopty do, people!! The storyline was still sweet. It was a lot of fun to me to see Erin Krakow play a more light-hearted and even slightly irresponsible character than her usual roles. Ved her! She was very much like our beloved Marianne without being overly immature. I loved the Edward character, also. And I enjoyed the relationship between the two sisters. At first, I found the older sister pretty uptight and kind of annoying, but when she got all tongue-tied talking to her crush, I couldn't help but start to like her. Hallmark makes a lot of Christmas movies - some good, some memorable, some just mediocre and some unwatchable. Some I love, some I like and some I loathe. This one was fun and Krakow made it so. Did I love it? No, but liked it a lot. It made me smile a lot. Will I watch it every year like I do some of my faves? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But, I don't regret watching it one bit!
Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen
JoBloTheMovieCritic13 December 2019
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