Though not one of Hallmark's best, Gingerbread Miracle is a pleasant story nonetheless that will undoubtedly get you into the Christmas mood this holiday season. It follows the story of Maya (played by Merritt Patterson), an attorney who, after suffering a career setback, is trying to re-establish herself with a firm in the city. In the meantime, she's been using the local Mexican bakery known for its magical gingerbread cookies, a place where she worked as a teenager, as her unofficial office. Luis, the owner of the bakery (played by Jorge Montesi), is ready to retire and enlists Maya's help to find a buyer. However, the owner's nephew Alex (played by Jon-Michael Ecker), who is also a lawyer and, by the way, Maya's high school crush, decides to return home for Christmas to help her (whether she likes it or not) with the sale. And so the Christmas romance begins, as the two rediscover their connection with each other while trying to sell the bakery they both have fond memories of, especially during Christmas. Although the storyline is predictable, the movie kept me engaged throughout. The dialogue was well written. However, the story was rather ordinary, lacking an angle or twist that would make it stand out. The movie was filled with your classic Hallmark film tropes (themes and devices) such as Christmas tree shopping, decorating the tree, the Christmas market, the awkward encounter, and, of course, the first kiss. The acting, overall, was strong. Patterson, a Hallmark regular, had a convincing performance. She had a warm and cheerful vibe, which came off well on screen. Ecker had a solid performance, though he was a bit stiff at times. As another reviewer observed, he had a bit of a Wes Brown vibe to his performance. The chemistry was low-key in this one, which some will appreciate and others, I suspect, will not. It was a bit too light for my taste. From magical cookies to a gingerbread obstacle course, Hallmark continues its obsession with gingerbread in its portrayal of Christmas traditions. It also had a touch of Mexican Christmas customs to boot. Finally, the scenery, props, and sets were well-polished and festive, with a decent soundtrack, classic Hallmark. All in all, it is an entertaining Christmas movie, not one of Hallmark's best, but enjoyable nonetheless. Fans will no doubt enjoy it.
21 Reviews
Merritt Patterson
Jackbv1236 November 2021
The story had some interesting threads although the major premise of the leads working together to sell a family business is fairly common. The acting was good. There were a couple of interesting holiday traditions that haven't been done in Hallmark Christmas movies. The dialogue was good, but not sparkling. The overall story was mostly predictable with little tension and no great highs or lows.
The chemistry between Jon-Michael Ecker and Merritt Patterson was OK, but again, not outstanding.
I'm prejudiced when it comes to Merritt Patterson and I thought she did well in this role. Maya was very upbeat and easy going.
The chemistry between Jon-Michael Ecker and Merritt Patterson was OK, but again, not outstanding.
I'm prejudiced when it comes to Merritt Patterson and I thought she did well in this role. Maya was very upbeat and easy going.
Expected more but got less
shobbs-8608110 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was sort of a mishmash of maybe 3 or 4 movies, and none of it really came together. The leads were attractive but hardly ever really connected romantically, seemingly focused on their separate lives/careers. Lots of plot lines that intertwined but just didn't work together for me... I love Merritt but she was sort of on her own in this one...
Great
limmet-750438 December 2021
It is great to see different celebrations and cultures, I am so happy this movie shows that. It's a heartwarming Christmas movie like all the others, but there is nothing wrong with the usual loveliness of Hallmark Christmas movies. Predictable but so enjoyable and sweet.
Gingerbread Miracle
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 November 2021
Simple and Sweet
halesenchanted6 November 2021
'Tis the season. One of my favorite hallmark movies ever. I found the leads very compatible and I love that Spanish was spoken a few times. So refreshing. Everything was so well done and I really did feel good watching it.
Gingerbread has Nothing to do with it
rebekahrox18 November 2021
Instead of "save the store," in this one we have "sell the store." Don't worry, with Hallmark no store is ever allowed to be sold, they are all saved, so we'll just get that out of the way right now. The cheery Merritt Patterson is a freelance lawyer who is trying to re-establish her career in the big city after a bad breakup sent her back to her hometown. The glum and sinister-looking (but nice) Mexican baker (I thought all bakers were jolly?) and proprietor wants to retire, so he asks her, a trusted friend, for help in finding a buyer for his bakery. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? However, his nephew, a big city lawyer, visits for Christmas and wants to horn in. I found him very out of line, pouty and whiny to boot. He doesn't like being a lawyer and wants to be a baker instead, but instead of having the guts to do something positive about it, he tries to put the kibosh on the sale of the bakery. Rude.
Merritt and Alex, the nephew, have a history of mutual crushes on each other, bad timing, and communication problems as teens. As adults, the reboot of their romance goes pretty well, and they do have some chemistry. Alex is very attractive and once he got over himself and Merritt realized that she was happy in her hometown rather than re-joining the rat race, all proceeded to the usual conclusion despite the appearance of a handsome French patisserie owner.
There was also some magical gingerbread involved but it was more of a superfluous gimmick than a miraculous gamechanger. It was cute though. I also enjoyed the Mexican Christmas customs. All in all, this was perfectly pleasant, but nothing really special.
Merritt and Alex, the nephew, have a history of mutual crushes on each other, bad timing, and communication problems as teens. As adults, the reboot of their romance goes pretty well, and they do have some chemistry. Alex is very attractive and once he got over himself and Merritt realized that she was happy in her hometown rather than re-joining the rat race, all proceeded to the usual conclusion despite the appearance of a handsome French patisserie owner.
There was also some magical gingerbread involved but it was more of a superfluous gimmick than a miraculous gamechanger. It was cute though. I also enjoyed the Mexican Christmas customs. All in all, this was perfectly pleasant, but nothing really special.
Best so far this season
jenrn-097226 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Finally a decent movie for the 2021 countdown to Christmas . This one as worth watching. Actual character development. Nice, decent, characters who actually like each other. No villain, no misunderstanding. She liked him growing up, but nothing ever came of it. He liked her growing up, but didn't have the courage to do anything about it. They flirt a little, but realize they live too far apart to make a go of things, until circumstances change. Good chemistry between the leads, lots of admiring glances, flirty interaction, really feels like they like each other - something that has been missing in a lot of the other Christmas movies thus far. I like that they decide to go out on a date at the end, that they don't jump right to a profession of love. There is some romance left after all. There are a couple kisses at the end, but for the first time this season, they don't look awkward. They actually look like they like each other. Decent story with some nice sub plots intertwined that don't distract from the main couple. A truly enjoyable movie and definitely worth the watch.
Not a miracle, not a disaster
TheLittleSongbird11 December 2021
Absolutely adore Christmas and Hallmark have done some above decent and more Christmas films over the years. As well as a fair share of misfires. 2021 was a typically inconsistent year for Hallmark in all their seasonal blockings, but considering the circumstances it turned out quite a lot better than expected. Part of me was expecting all the 2021 films of theirs to be mediocre or below but quite a lot were the opposite. Exactly the same with its 2020 output too.
'Gingerbread Miracle' is not one of the very best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films, but it is also a long way from being one of the worst. As far as the Hallmark Christmas films that had aired up to this point (only 8 previously) goes, 'Gingerbread Miracle' is somewhere bang in the middle. Not the best ('Christmas in My Heart'), and also not the worst ('Coyote Christmas Creek'). It doesn't live up to its miracle name, but it doesn't waste its potential and is a long way from a disaster.
There is a good deal to like. Merritt Patterson is an immensely engaging lead and is the main reason to see the film, she is just so cheerful without overdoing and when it comes to the female lead characters of the 2021 Christmas output Patterson's is one of the more likeable ones. One that is not exaggerated in terms of flaws and not too perfect. The supporting cast are solid. It looks good with lovely scenery and the music is very pleasant and doesn't overbear.
Much of the script is amiable and not too cheesy or schmaltzy, with some nice playful banter between the two lead characters. The story is on the most part engaging and heart warming and did appreciate a lot that there is no contrived misunderstanding that is too neatly resolved or any pantomimic conflict. Didn't find myself bored or irritated by any of the characters and really appreciated too that Patterson's character in particular grew rather than being too perfect at the beginning or being difficult to like throughout before an abrupt last minute turnaround (both common with Hallmark)
Did find that a couple of aspects were uneven however. Jon-Michael Ecker does become more at ease and a warmer presence, but early on he did seem rather stiff and uptight. While the chemistry between him and Patterson did grow significantly by the end of the film it did take time to get developing, for the first half the chemistry was quite bland and awkward.
While the story engages on the whole, it is slight and it can drag at times. It is also not particularly innovative, there are things done differently to usual but it does revolve around the general formula with this particular scenario and doesn't do a huge amount new with it.
In conclusion, unexceptional but above average. 6/10.
'Gingerbread Miracle' is not one of the very best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films, but it is also a long way from being one of the worst. As far as the Hallmark Christmas films that had aired up to this point (only 8 previously) goes, 'Gingerbread Miracle' is somewhere bang in the middle. Not the best ('Christmas in My Heart'), and also not the worst ('Coyote Christmas Creek'). It doesn't live up to its miracle name, but it doesn't waste its potential and is a long way from a disaster.
There is a good deal to like. Merritt Patterson is an immensely engaging lead and is the main reason to see the film, she is just so cheerful without overdoing and when it comes to the female lead characters of the 2021 Christmas output Patterson's is one of the more likeable ones. One that is not exaggerated in terms of flaws and not too perfect. The supporting cast are solid. It looks good with lovely scenery and the music is very pleasant and doesn't overbear.
Much of the script is amiable and not too cheesy or schmaltzy, with some nice playful banter between the two lead characters. The story is on the most part engaging and heart warming and did appreciate a lot that there is no contrived misunderstanding that is too neatly resolved or any pantomimic conflict. Didn't find myself bored or irritated by any of the characters and really appreciated too that Patterson's character in particular grew rather than being too perfect at the beginning or being difficult to like throughout before an abrupt last minute turnaround (both common with Hallmark)
Did find that a couple of aspects were uneven however. Jon-Michael Ecker does become more at ease and a warmer presence, but early on he did seem rather stiff and uptight. While the chemistry between him and Patterson did grow significantly by the end of the film it did take time to get developing, for the first half the chemistry was quite bland and awkward.
While the story engages on the whole, it is slight and it can drag at times. It is also not particularly innovative, there are things done differently to usual but it does revolve around the general formula with this particular scenario and doesn't do a huge amount new with it.
In conclusion, unexceptional but above average. 6/10.
What you'd expect from a Hallmark movie...
cassavaa16 November 2021
I found this movie originally searching up for a gingerbread cookie recipe. I've lost two hours of my life with still no cookies. The only miracle here is how I managed to stay awake throughout the whole movie. At least the Spanish pronunciations were decent?
7.5
dsklodginski27 November 2021
Enjoyable movie with an ethnic twist. I actually liked the fact that there was a romance without any of the usual 'misunderstanding' that adds fake tension. The actors were believable although I didn't care much for the 'French' baker. The Hispanic bakery was a nice change. Probably not quite an 8 but I liked it better than the inoffensive ones I give a 7 to.
It's above average with moments
jakethesnake-4200726 November 2021
It's above average then the normal hallmark Christmas films. It's a little slow at Times and does drag on but it's overall a cute Christmas film. Tho I wish there was more to the Christmas wishes and not so much on the romance.
I am 10 minutes into it ...
toncincin6 November 2021
Hope it improves - but I am not holding my breath. Merritt Patterson is just not a good actor. Her lines always seem forced - like she's reading them. She's pretty - but really hard to watch. Haven't liked anything she's been in ...
I'll finish watching it ... it's 5:00 in the morning. Got nothing better to do. Just another one on for background noise. Kind of typical for most of the 2021 Countdown to Christmas movie season so far ...
I'll finish watching it ... it's 5:00 in the morning. Got nothing better to do. Just another one on for background noise. Kind of typical for most of the 2021 Countdown to Christmas movie season so far ...
Hispanic culture an added bonus
Pete-Claus27 December 2021
This movie was pleasant to watch. I might have given the movie itself, based on plot and characters, a "6". However, part of what bumped it up for me to a "7" rating was the presentation of some aspects of Hispanic culture at Christmas time of which I was unaware. (I have to trust that they were accurately portrayed.) Another engaging aspect was the role and portrayal of the family's patriarch -- a very interesting character.
Fusion of wit, sensibility and bad timing
MickyG33324 November 2022
A bit of a slow starter, didn't really pick up steam until about 35-40 minutes. It's consistently good after that.. 7.2 stars.
The male lead (Ecker) is a whiner about the one that got away years ago. It's humorous how his whole identity revolves around it, and obvious his ego is still wounded. I was able to relate, and so that's why I really like his character.
And of course the lost love was Merrit Patterson's character, and what a cool down-to-earth sweetheart she is. Her rendition reminds me of women I've encountered in my youth, so very frustrated, yet tolerant of the witless behavior we "manly" men exhibit. And her patience endures as he clumsily gathers any scraps of masculinity that remain. A large part of the confusion is all the mixed signals, but understandable under the circumstances of what happened in the past. But is it too late to try again?
I felt the message was visceral, and the writer(s), maybe by coincidence, displayed for us a facet of reality that most men are all too familiar with. We are the barrier to our own success in relationships, careers, and love.
Most romance movies fail to provide the balanced perspective necessary to navigate love successfully. This film came closer than most in providing one important lesson: second chances come only to those who take chances. Well, maybe not, but it sounds cool.
The male lead (Ecker) is a whiner about the one that got away years ago. It's humorous how his whole identity revolves around it, and obvious his ego is still wounded. I was able to relate, and so that's why I really like his character.
And of course the lost love was Merrit Patterson's character, and what a cool down-to-earth sweetheart she is. Her rendition reminds me of women I've encountered in my youth, so very frustrated, yet tolerant of the witless behavior we "manly" men exhibit. And her patience endures as he clumsily gathers any scraps of masculinity that remain. A large part of the confusion is all the mixed signals, but understandable under the circumstances of what happened in the past. But is it too late to try again?
I felt the message was visceral, and the writer(s), maybe by coincidence, displayed for us a facet of reality that most men are all too familiar with. We are the barrier to our own success in relationships, careers, and love.
Most romance movies fail to provide the balanced perspective necessary to navigate love successfully. This film came closer than most in providing one important lesson: second chances come only to those who take chances. Well, maybe not, but it sounds cool.
Que Bueno, Hallmark!
miguelchacon22 November 2021
Increasing cultural diversity
laurelshimer15 November 2021
Like seeing more Latina influence in Hallmark
Loved the Las Posadass scene
Male love interest believable kind of guy both culturally and personally
His job concern was appealingly done
Maybe not realistic - but it's Hallmark not Career Advisot.
Hated it
cujorocky9 November 2021
OMG I hated this dull, boring, drab, drivel. I couldn't stand the lead actress. So forgettable. Typical Hallmark crud. 5 days growth on man, waaay over smiling of actress, way too much giggling... the predictable misunderstanding near the end, and, of course the happily ever after ending. In other words. The usual ONE PLOT Hallmark has on EVERY movie. Yawn... No chemistry between the leads. Hire sone new writers please!!!
Refreshing.
allmoviesfan19 December 2023
Hallmark has spent large parts of the last three or four years stepping away from the standard smalltown Christmas return story in favour of telling different stories and featuring celebrations from other cultures. 'Gingerbread Miracle' ticks both those boxes.
Merritt Patterson is as beautiful as ever as Maya, a small-time lawyer who agrees to help the owner of the town's Mexican Panadería (bakery) to sell it, above which she has worked for the last few years. The Casillas Panadería is famous for it's gingerbread cookies that grant wishes.
Enter Alejandro "Alex" Casillas (Jon-Michael Ecker), Maya's high school flame.
You can probably see where this is going. A nice reversal on so many movies where the eventual couple band together to save the store. This time, they're selling it...or that's how it's meant to happen, anyway.
Good chemistry between the leads (to date, this was Merritt Patterson's last Hallmark movie), good acting across the board, a good story, nice sets and an interesting look at Mexican Christmas traditions.
Merritt Patterson is as beautiful as ever as Maya, a small-time lawyer who agrees to help the owner of the town's Mexican Panadería (bakery) to sell it, above which she has worked for the last few years. The Casillas Panadería is famous for it's gingerbread cookies that grant wishes.
Enter Alejandro "Alex" Casillas (Jon-Michael Ecker), Maya's high school flame.
You can probably see where this is going. A nice reversal on so many movies where the eventual couple band together to save the store. This time, they're selling it...or that's how it's meant to happen, anyway.
Good chemistry between the leads (to date, this was Merritt Patterson's last Hallmark movie), good acting across the board, a good story, nice sets and an interesting look at Mexican Christmas traditions.
Magical Gingerbread cookies baked with love.
cgvsluis12 January 2022
I loved it!
This was an attempt to highlight a Mexican Christmas tradition and I appreciated that it was handled as well as it was. The word 'posada' means, in slang, a 'place to crash/spend the night'. ... Families, friends, neighborhoods gather together and organize posadas for 9 days, from December 16th to the 24th. These 9 days represent Mary's nine months of pregnancy.
The story is about a local lawyer named Maya who has come home after a failed relationship in California where her career failed to take off. "Home" is a smaller town an hour from Denver...where after a two year detour she has a second interview with a large law firm. In her small town she has been doing consulting and living in a garage apartment at her parents. The owner of the local panadería, where she worked while she was in high school and has been using as an office while home, has asked her to help with the sale of his business. Luis, lost his wife and everything in the panadería reminds him of her...it was her love and joy that filled their bakery and their special gingerbread cookies with magic. So much so that locals would wish on the gingerbread cookies and believe that their wishes would come true.
Luis' nephew, Alex, comes home for Christmas and to help with the sale as well. Maya had a thing for Alex when they were in High School together and now he is a big lawyer at a New York law firm. Maya finds a buyer...Jacque, but Alex seems determined to thwart the sale.
This was a sweet call back to more innocent high school times when someone would pour their heart out in a letter...and be so devastated that it wasn't reciprocated that they would make up an imaginary boyfriend to protect themselves.
It also dealt with a secondary topic which is common amongst immigrants from all sorts of backgrounds...that the pressure on their kids to succeed and do jobs that they consider important and successful (doctor, lawyer) is really high and sometimes there is a misunderstanding in that at the end of the day they just want there kids to be happy and not want for anything.
Great rounded cast, good chemistry, carols with Spanish guitar, additional Christmas traditions...I recommend seeing this one.
This was an attempt to highlight a Mexican Christmas tradition and I appreciated that it was handled as well as it was. The word 'posada' means, in slang, a 'place to crash/spend the night'. ... Families, friends, neighborhoods gather together and organize posadas for 9 days, from December 16th to the 24th. These 9 days represent Mary's nine months of pregnancy.
The story is about a local lawyer named Maya who has come home after a failed relationship in California where her career failed to take off. "Home" is a smaller town an hour from Denver...where after a two year detour she has a second interview with a large law firm. In her small town she has been doing consulting and living in a garage apartment at her parents. The owner of the local panadería, where she worked while she was in high school and has been using as an office while home, has asked her to help with the sale of his business. Luis, lost his wife and everything in the panadería reminds him of her...it was her love and joy that filled their bakery and their special gingerbread cookies with magic. So much so that locals would wish on the gingerbread cookies and believe that their wishes would come true.
Luis' nephew, Alex, comes home for Christmas and to help with the sale as well. Maya had a thing for Alex when they were in High School together and now he is a big lawyer at a New York law firm. Maya finds a buyer...Jacque, but Alex seems determined to thwart the sale.
This was a sweet call back to more innocent high school times when someone would pour their heart out in a letter...and be so devastated that it wasn't reciprocated that they would make up an imaginary boyfriend to protect themselves.
It also dealt with a secondary topic which is common amongst immigrants from all sorts of backgrounds...that the pressure on their kids to succeed and do jobs that they consider important and successful (doctor, lawyer) is really high and sometimes there is a misunderstanding in that at the end of the day they just want there kids to be happy and not want for anything.
Great rounded cast, good chemistry, carols with Spanish guitar, additional Christmas traditions...I recommend seeing this one.
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