'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Marry Me at Christmas'

A small town wedding planner and her client's famous big brother unexpectedly find romance in the earnestly sweet 'Marry Me at Christmas' (airing throughout the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas).

In short: Bridal boutique owner Maddy (Rachel Skarsten), who is deep in the flurry of planning an exquisite Christmas wedding, is unexpectedly swept off her feet by the bride's brother, famous movie star Johnny Blake (Trevor Donovan).

One of the most fulfilling narrative conflicts is a human heart in conflict with itself - and 'Marry Me' upfront affirms that Maddy and Johnny are totally into each other ... but it's her reluctance get her heartbroken again that powers the movie. Maddy and Johnny are obviously a perfect match - they know it, their family knows it and the audience knows it. Watching them deny how right they are for each other keeps 'Marry Me' totally engaging.

Maddy legit rules. She doesn't pull any punches and the former softball star throws a mean snowball. Skarsten's performance exudes confidence in what Maddy wants out of life - including her life in the town where she grew up. In this regard, she's fully actualized - and it's pretty cool to see a driven, confident entrepreneur daring to believe in herself and a new business opportunity. She has a graceful strength makes Maddy the type of small business owner you'd want to be like - yet, also reveals her lingering doubts that are all too relatable.

Donovan threads the needle as the big Hollywood movie star used to being the center of attention with an actual heart of gold. Johnny Blake could have easily just been an air-headed celeb, reducing 'Marry Me' to a shallow 'fish out of water' movie, but the story treats Blake like a human being - one who is tired of the TMZ life. From the very beginning, while he's used to nosy fans clamoring for his attention, Johnny is obviously over the trappings of Hollywood life. This leaves him completely open to anything else - and even though he's not exactly looking for a slower life, the movie allows the small town's warmth to win him over.

Watching Maddy and Johnny instantly click is the best part of 'Marry Me' - but Johnny's sweet relationship with his little sister is this movie's most lovely surprise. More often than not, Hallmark movies tend to just treat siblings and family members as meddling characters sticking their nose into a blossoming relationship - but Johnny and his sister Ginger have a genuinely sweet, complex relationship. The script plays coy as to why Johnny is so involved in his sister's wedding - but when their family history is finally revealed, it completely explains why Johnny so desperately wants his sister to have her dream wedding and why Ginger wants her brother to find true love. (For as many times as I have watched this movie, their scene together just before the wedding ceremony always makes me tear up.)

The unsung hero of 'Marry Me' is Emily Tennant, who plays Ginger. She adds some bubble and fizz to this small-town romance. And part of the fun of watching Hallmark movies is keeping an eye out for supporting actors who could step up and take the reins as a lead - and Tennant's pep and energy in 'Marry Me' makes her a great future Hallmark Channel lead performer who can absolutely carry a movie on her own.

Final verdict: Straightforward and full of all types of love, this 2017 'Countdown' movie endures as one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies.

Score: 5 golden rings (out of 5)

'Marry Me at Christmas' is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. This 2017 movie airs throughout the 'Countdown to Christmas.'