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
