I am not sure what to make of the 34 (of 35) 9/10 reviews on here. Don't get me wrong. This was a sweet, fun, and heartfelt Christmas movie, but a 10, it is not. This is my 62nd Christmas movie this season; this was one of the better Christmas films thus far this season but not one of the best. The message of the movie is a noble one, seeking to empower women/girls on the value and importance of inner beauty. However, the plot device used to move forward this message in the narrative is a common stereotype: models, and the fashion industry more broadly, are superficial; they only care about outer beauty. I enjoyed the storyline for the most part, though there were some shortcomings in the script, I thought. For example, in the opening scene, young Belle (played by Livi Birch, she had such a cute performance, by the way) falls in the mud and some of the kids laugh at her; Grammy (played by Sandra Ellis Lafferty) then immediately packs up their bags and they leave. This seemed like a very odd/strange scene to me. First, why didn't she washup before getting in the car? Second, why is Grammy taking orders to leave from a child? Third, she fell in the mud and some kids laughed, so what. My grandmother would have cleaned me up and sent me back out to play. Is this really the lesson Granny wants to teach Belle, to run away from your problems (if you count having some kids laugh at you for falling in the mud as a problem, that is). Given that there is this implicit high regard held for Granny throughout the film, I thought this scene was problematic. Another shortcoming with the script was that the writers had Belle walking around the farm looking for the bracelet, literally, asking farm hands if they had seen it. She lost the bracelet 20 plus years ago! It just seemed unbelievable that she expected to find it laying in the barn, for example. I understand using the bracelet as an excuse to come back, to revisit the past by visiting the farm. But there was no need for the writers to have her walking around looking for it as though it was laying in the grass or mud somewhere. The acting, overall, was pretty good. Jenn Gotzon (playing Belle) had a decent performance. I did have difficulties connecting to her performance early on. That said, her performance did improve; her dialogue/scenes with Josh and Adele were strong. Jim Chandler (playing Josh) had a solid performance, as well. The chemistry between the two was pretty good. They had some nice scenes together (e.g., the one where Belle tells Josh about the letters that were returned). However, the scene where Belle confronts Josh about having the bracelet was rather weak. It seemed forced, as though they were acting, which is never good for an actor. Like Lafferty, Adele Chandler (as Adele) had a cute performance. The scenery, props, and sets were well-polished and festive. The movie picks up about an hour in with some fun Christmas competitions at Santaland (putting a Santa hat on a piglet was my favorite). The music during this stretch of the movie was excellent. Wow. John Schneider can sing. Well done. The musical performances here, overall, were great. They put me in the Christmas spirit. I also enjoyed the short kissing booth scenes with Corbin Bernsen as Gran'Poppy; I thought they could have developed these a bit more. Overall, this is a sweet, fun, and heartfelt Christmas movie. Well worth the watch if you are looking for a Christmas movie the whole family can enjoy this season.
90 Reviews
Clean family film
laurenschoepfer14 December 2020
Bad
shausfeld20 November 2021
Typical hokey cliche story of a Christmas movie. The lead actress is far from looking like a fashion model and is more average in looks and has an annoying nasally voice. Other actors were ho-hum. Gave it a 3 only for the Christmas decor, scenery, homey feels. Really waste of time though.
Yuck
lucylou370017 November 2021
Horrible acting, cheesy story line, big disappointed
servantsheart-5300430 November 2020
Well, an old friend and her family were 'extras' in this movie. It was posted on Facebook and very regularly was being advertised and built up for this Christmas release! I even purchased this movie to watch on Amazon. Well, we all sat down (six kids ages 16-6)....and, right from the start, just seemed odd and even awkward acting! The storyline was also just dumb and didn't make sense, every scene was a stretch. Even from a Christian perspective, why is this Pastor liking and considering marrying this clearly not religious girl? Definitely don't waste your time or money on this. When I researched the actress and actor....also interesting....she played a 35 year old in the movie but is 41 in real life. He also plays a 35 year old and I can't even find his age online. The pros: no could language and family friendly! The cons: everything I just listed. This is my first ever movie review because I was shocked at how many 5 star reviews there were! Clearly ,to me, there has to be bias somewhere.
Not worth watching
gward-131-27513716 January 2021
Beautiful Christmas story
agata-8050419 November 2020
I love to watch Christmas movies and to be honest most of them are very similar; however "The farmer and the Belle" is different, unique on many levels. I was truly impressed by the great acting (especially among the young actors) and phenomenal pictures! The beauty of the Santaland makes me want to start to decorate for Christmas earlier this year.
About as much fun as a steel toilet seat in Alaska
barnsleylad49497 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Terrible acting, weak story line, predictable ending. Guy gets girl, guy loses girl, guy gets girl back. If you're suffering from insomnia be sure to watch. Not sure how this got the greenlight. It boasts John Schneider as a lead but he's in it for 5 minutes. Jenn Gotzen I'd absolutely dreadful. How she was cast is beyond belief.
Truly a Hallmark Quality Film!
triciamharmon4 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
My husband and I kicked off our Christmas chick flick binge watching last night with this movie. The message and storyline is timeless to everyone struggling with self image. The line-up of character's is strong and wonderfully cast. Who doesn't love John Schneider, Corbin Bernsen, and the iconic voice of Delilah?
I know it's a good movie when my husband gets the subtleties of humor and belly laughs out loud. Like any filmmaker, our critical eye notices hiccups and underdeveloped touch points. Ie: Spoiler Alert... perhaps a more compelling reason to suspect what "Pastor Josh" may have done with the bracelet... like maybe had given it to a past girlfriend... ??? Although I know Jim is a man of character, I kinda wanted to have some doubt about it, since Belle was really the one who's character was in question by his mom the whole time. Anyway, purely my own opinion.
Great acting by young and old alike! Great sets! and again, love the overall messaging! Thanks for helping us kick our season off!
I know it's a good movie when my husband gets the subtleties of humor and belly laughs out loud. Like any filmmaker, our critical eye notices hiccups and underdeveloped touch points. Ie: Spoiler Alert... perhaps a more compelling reason to suspect what "Pastor Josh" may have done with the bracelet... like maybe had given it to a past girlfriend... ??? Although I know Jim is a man of character, I kinda wanted to have some doubt about it, since Belle was really the one who's character was in question by his mom the whole time. Anyway, purely my own opinion.
Great acting by young and old alike! Great sets! and again, love the overall messaging! Thanks for helping us kick our season off!
Prepare to Groan
sparrish228 March 2021
Predictable and not so entertaining. Some really bad acting here. The song "pen pals forever" should never be sung again - forever. And then some bad directing and bad filmography top it off.
If you have anything else to do - anything - do that.
If you have anything else to do - anything - do that.
This is not good.
sblockamy25 March 2021
Skip this one
ealrussell30 December 2022
An obvious vanity piece for the leads who are husband and wife in real life. They see each other through rose-colored glasses.... The rest of us, not so much. Both are too old to be playing young thirtys, and the female lead's claiming to be a model is very hard to swallow and detracts from being able to buy-in to the story.
The film attempts to redeem itself by promoting good values to young girls (beauty is to be found in the heart and actions) but loses credibility by then using the film as a marketing vehicle to sell a bracelet and book (See trivia notes.)
The 10-star reviews appear to be solicited from friends of the actress.
Likewise, I can only believe that Schneider and and Bernsen, true actors, must have done this out of charity or a favor owed to the female lead.. this is well beneath their talents.
A disappointment.... And I like watching cheesy Hallmark-type movies. Skip this one and watch the "Love's Enduring" franchise for better story telling.
The film attempts to redeem itself by promoting good values to young girls (beauty is to be found in the heart and actions) but loses credibility by then using the film as a marketing vehicle to sell a bracelet and book (See trivia notes.)
The 10-star reviews appear to be solicited from friends of the actress.
Likewise, I can only believe that Schneider and and Bernsen, true actors, must have done this out of charity or a favor owed to the female lead.. this is well beneath their talents.
A disappointment.... And I like watching cheesy Hallmark-type movies. Skip this one and watch the "Love's Enduring" franchise for better story telling.
Predictable
januszlvii26 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I am not a fan of Hallmark Chick flicks so maybe I am not a fair judge of The Farmer and The Belle, but here goes. It is a very predictable movie ( I only tried it because of the real life story behind it). Let me see: Successful woman ( Belle) who leaves NY for her hometown? Check. Cute little girl( Adele) who is the msn's daughter? Check. Man ( Josh) not as successful? Check. "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back"? Check. Woman smarter then the man? Check. Woman is not even pretty? Check. Woman saves the day? Check: There are three good scenes. I: Belle catching the pig. 2: Young Belle and Josh in the hayloft. 2a: Older Belle and Josh in the hayloft: Although there is no need I will give a spoiler: Belle on a toy phone telling Josh's deceased wife, she will be taking care of Josh and Adele, and of course getting married. Check with the getting married. For the three good scenes and because it is Christmas I will give a generous 3 Stars.
Love the story line
newlifeoffice17 November 2020
Worst Hallmark Christmas Movie ever made
tiffanygrace8718 July 2021
Worst Hallmark Christmas movie ever made. Bold statement I know. Somehow this movie has the same story line as every other Hallmark Christmas movie but this one is 100% cringe worth. The main character is extremely unlikable. I understand that is the point.. she is a stereotypical unlikeable model who is full of herself and learns who she is within this movie... but she is a complete moron. The character is the worst of all Hallmark movies I have seen, and that says a lot because I have seen almost all of them.
The acting, the writing, the plot... every single thing is cringe worthy in this movie. I do not understand the high reviews, unless you're maybe 70+. I know my gram never minded bad acting and horrible plots as long as it was wholesome. I myself need a few more details before I label it a good movie. The only redeeming factor are the kids are adorable in the beginning and the models assistant is cute too. Other than that... watch a different Christmas movie on Hallmark because this ain't it.
The acting, the writing, the plot... every single thing is cringe worthy in this movie. I do not understand the high reviews, unless you're maybe 70+. I know my gram never minded bad acting and horrible plots as long as it was wholesome. I myself need a few more details before I label it a good movie. The only redeeming factor are the kids are adorable in the beginning and the models assistant is cute too. Other than that... watch a different Christmas movie on Hallmark because this ain't it.
We Loved This Movie
bryartonfarm20 November 2020
What a refreshing Christmas Movie to watch as a family! No bad words, scary parts, or anything offensive. I watched it with my two young children, and we all enjoyed it together. Lots of good lessons and laughs to be had.
Homely Beauty
cbjami10 January 2022
Did anyone else notice HOW completely HOMELY THE BELLE IS????? What a mis-cast. Geez. She supposed to this incredible beauty when she isn't even pretty. Who is the casting director anyway. BIG NOSE- Thin Lips, squinty eyes. What were they thinking. Don't want to be so mean and wouldn't be if they didn't cast her as s super beauty.
Watching paint dry would be more interesting.
jamie-683-42660031 December 2021
I really did not enjoy this movie. I found that tend to be really and I generally couldn't understand how how Belle could have been any sort of model. I didn't enjoy all of the religious stuff either. The movie was just really boring and no point did I ever find myself sitting on the edge of my seat all rooting for any of the characters. I watched this with my partner but I couldn't wait for it to finish. Sorry but this is a straight 1 out 10 from me. Honestly go watch paint dry or grass grow so much more interesting watching people try to act.
Wonderful Message For Women Of All Ages !!!!!
Hamiltonconcrete761 December 2020
True beauty does come from the inside, is the message repeated throughout this romantic comedy. The Farmer And The Belle will definitely become one of our traditional Christmas movies, it's pure, clean family fun that is a must for everyone to watch.
Great Family Movie
gsoldridge13 December 2020
Wow what a great movie. Perfect for my daughter letting her know beauty is not only on the outside. Beauty goes a lot deeper then that. Also always be kind to others and help anyway she can with the gifts God provided her in life. Loved this movie so much can wait to watch it again.
A beautiful movie with a beautiful message
cbarnyt20 December 2020
Genuinely sad, happy, funny, feel good and heart grabbing...great family viewing
lsayad19 November 2020
This film is modern & warm but somewhat star-crossed love story, sure to capture your heart & emotions. The lead characters Belle & Josh are from two totally opposite incompatible worlds. Jenn Gotzon does a masterful performance of the hardworking fashion model Belle Winters & takes the viewer through a range of emotions from sadness & disappointment to hysterical laughter. Her acting is heartfelt & genuine & she adds many moments of truly funny comic relief. Jim Chandler (Josh) Belle's childhood penpal provides a masterful & patient counter balance to the more vivacious personality of Belle Winters character. He captures and pulls the viewer into the lonely longing and emotions of tragic love lost. I felt his sadness, loneliness, longing & happy triumphs along with him. The film has a nice "happily ever after" ending and left me in happy tears and elated joy. Its a wonderful family film for yearly Christmas viewing.
Sweet Romantic Family Film
maggiemalone118 November 2020
A MUST-SEE and this year's new favorite stocking stuffer!
apolonia-2629730 November 2020
"The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland" is now a Christmas tradition reigniting family fun, love, laughter, and inspiration in the home. Director Wes Llewellyn has forged a memorable event exhilarating the heart with original Christmas twists as we peak into Belle's city lifestyle built upon her modeling career and comedically led to fall in love with farm life as she journeys back to Santaland. Cinematography captured by Kacper Skowron divinely emboldens serendipitous romanticism and the warmness of the holiday season. Music produced by Justin Peters, this picture is a paragon for the best genre dynamic soundtrack innovatively integrating and glorifying each character's arc and the miraculous spirit of Christmas. Jenn Gotzon and Jim E. Chandler deliver heart-wrenching and tear-dropping authenticity that make you fall in love with them and champion their relationship over and over again. "The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland" is a MUST-SEE and this year's new favorite stocking stuffer!
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