"Sweet Mountain Christmas" is the kind of Christmas movie I wouldn't associate with Lifetime. It's subject matter seems better fit for Hallmark. The film isn't terrible even though it could really have used a plot with more tension. At least this film is better than Hallmark's Mistletoe Secret which features a real-life country singer in Kellie Pickler.
A country music star, Laney Blu, played by Broadway actor Megan Hilty travels from Los Angeles to her Tennessee home to visit her mother before Christmas. Winter Storm Meghan (yes, that one) drops feet of snow on the roads and Laney is grounded for Christmas. Her car gets stuck, and Laney is rescued by Robbie, a childhood flame and the current mayor. Robbie is one of those movie characters that can do whatever the plot requires. He is a snow plower, mayor, architect, concert planner, and even a Christmas decorator. Seriously, if the film featured a trip to space, I'm sure he would conveniently be an astronaut. Robbie is played by Marcus Rosner who is pretty solid. He doesn't need to display an array of emotions, so it's ok.
The film does feature a bit of character development. Lacey's hometown feels that she has left them behind as if she is embarrassed to be from there. Over time as she interacts with everyone, they begin to humanize her as she does to them. There are several scenes in which we see her social media or tabloids portray her in ways that are unreal. The public has believed only what it sees through the eyes of the media.
Hilty is a good vocalist. I haven't seen her live although I would like to. She sings the standard public domain holiday films as well as an original song I believe at the very end. The film is not worth watching just for them but it was a nice touch. The film as a whole is passable.
A country music star, Laney Blu, played by Broadway actor Megan Hilty travels from Los Angeles to her Tennessee home to visit her mother before Christmas. Winter Storm Meghan (yes, that one) drops feet of snow on the roads and Laney is grounded for Christmas. Her car gets stuck, and Laney is rescued by Robbie, a childhood flame and the current mayor. Robbie is one of those movie characters that can do whatever the plot requires. He is a snow plower, mayor, architect, concert planner, and even a Christmas decorator. Seriously, if the film featured a trip to space, I'm sure he would conveniently be an astronaut. Robbie is played by Marcus Rosner who is pretty solid. He doesn't need to display an array of emotions, so it's ok.
The film does feature a bit of character development. Lacey's hometown feels that she has left them behind as if she is embarrassed to be from there. Over time as she interacts with everyone, they begin to humanize her as she does to them. There are several scenes in which we see her social media or tabloids portray her in ways that are unreal. The public has believed only what it sees through the eyes of the media.
Hilty is a good vocalist. I haven't seen her live although I would like to. She sings the standard public domain holiday films as well as an original song I believe at the very end. The film is not worth watching just for them but it was a nice touch. The film as a whole is passable.