There is one scene in this movie that makes it worth watching despite its problems. Or better yet, when it comes up again on TV, fast forward to around the last 45 minutes.
Two elementary school teachers have been engaged in a rivalry since childhood when one horned in on the other's song solo. Whatever one does, the other one has to better it. Each cannot stand the other to be in the spotlight. It's fairly harmless until a handsome widower with a daughter comes to town. The story is mostly told through Erin Krakow's character, so we know that she is the one we are supposed to root for with the actresses trademark sweet, gentle, sincere demeanor. Despite her questionable behavior throughout, we know she is a good person at heart. Her rival is effectively played by Miranda Frigon best known for playing the grumpy police chief in the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.
Skipping to the scene in question. Miranda has invited all of the festival (there's a festival) volunteers to a party at her home and is forced to invite Erin ("Your invitation will be *shoved* in your In-box") Miranda is very proud of her singing ability and announces that she is going to favor the group with her solo rendition of Silent Night, snagging the handsome widower to accompany her on the piano. She has no shame, but as soon as she starts singing Erin starts sneaking up to her side as if she is under the Confundus charm and joins in. I'm like, "Oh no she is not going to...." But she did! Silent Night gets louder and louder as the two try to drown each other out, to the total befuddlement of all the guests, and the horror of Erin's mother. When they get to the last line "When Chri-ist was born", "Christ" comes out so loudly and aggressively as each of them vie for supremacy, that it's almost sacrilegious. Then Miranda ends with a pose like she is the Madonna cradling Baby Jesus in her arms. It is the most irreverent and intentionally funniest performance I have ever scene in a Hallmark movie.
It provides the turning point in Erin's journey. She walks out of the party with her deer-in-the-headlights look thoroughly shocked at her own behavior. She has finally gone too far. After some skullduggery on Miranda's part to get through, the two former friends make up, and Erin gets her man.
Two elementary school teachers have been engaged in a rivalry since childhood when one horned in on the other's song solo. Whatever one does, the other one has to better it. Each cannot stand the other to be in the spotlight. It's fairly harmless until a handsome widower with a daughter comes to town. The story is mostly told through Erin Krakow's character, so we know that she is the one we are supposed to root for with the actresses trademark sweet, gentle, sincere demeanor. Despite her questionable behavior throughout, we know she is a good person at heart. Her rival is effectively played by Miranda Frigon best known for playing the grumpy police chief in the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.
Skipping to the scene in question. Miranda has invited all of the festival (there's a festival) volunteers to a party at her home and is forced to invite Erin ("Your invitation will be *shoved* in your In-box") Miranda is very proud of her singing ability and announces that she is going to favor the group with her solo rendition of Silent Night, snagging the handsome widower to accompany her on the piano. She has no shame, but as soon as she starts singing Erin starts sneaking up to her side as if she is under the Confundus charm and joins in. I'm like, "Oh no she is not going to...." But she did! Silent Night gets louder and louder as the two try to drown each other out, to the total befuddlement of all the guests, and the horror of Erin's mother. When they get to the last line "When Chri-ist was born", "Christ" comes out so loudly and aggressively as each of them vie for supremacy, that it's almost sacrilegious. Then Miranda ends with a pose like she is the Madonna cradling Baby Jesus in her arms. It is the most irreverent and intentionally funniest performance I have ever scene in a Hallmark movie.
It provides the turning point in Erin's journey. She walks out of the party with her deer-in-the-headlights look thoroughly shocked at her own behavior. She has finally gone too far. After some skullduggery on Miranda's part to get through, the two former friends make up, and Erin gets her man.