‘A Royal Winter’: A Cinderella Fairy Tale (Plus a European Castle)

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Anytime a new romantic comedy captures my attention, my reaction is always, “When and how can I see this?” When it comes to the stories that premiere on favored television networks, my efforts to accomplish this goal might require a smidgen more creativity, but the end result is always worth it.

A Royal Winter (2017) Hallmark TV Film Review

The one thing no one can say of Maggie Marks (Merritt Patterson) is that she’s spontaneous. She’s follows the path with a plan and there’s no room for anything else. A recent law school grad (like her successful father), Maggie has to be persuaded of the merits a trip to Europe embraces. Instead of taking the chance to spend two weeks with her best friend, Sarah, Maggie is convinced she should wait for a job offer. But with persistence, Sarah convinces her that’s not the way to look at life.

FILM REVIEW | Crown for Christmas: Festive Fairy Tale Hallmark Film with British Star Rupert Penry-Jones
‘A Royal Winter’: A Cinderella Fairy Tale (Plus a European Castle). A review of a 2017 #Hallmark romance with #MerrittPatterson. #WinterRomance #Wintermovies Click To Tweet
A Royal Winter

Despite her fears, the friends take off for a small European country. Once  where Maggie is courted by a charming Brit she knows as Adrian (Jack Donnelly). Though she enjoys spending time with him, Maggie keeps a guard in place… but everything changes when a secret comes out that could change everything.

“Stay. I don’t want to lose you.” – A Royal Winter

A new year provides 365 days of new programs for the network that is, even in the past year, a household name. One that isn’t so much the exception now as it is the norm of programming. Hallmark’s films, whether they are their happy romantic-comedies or “edgier” mysteries, each one is something of a treasure to discover. A Royal Winter is no different.

Stepping inside its world is a modern fairy tale that could rival my favorite, A Princess for Christmas, or come close. The reason for this being each of the unique markers that define this story. The sweet meet cute (it involves a hat), and relationship (more an understanding of who the other person is striving to be rather than the dreaded insta-love) that blooms from that first eye lock is adorable.

The fact that there aren’t any promotional photos of these two together (which explains the screen caps) makes me sad because their friendship is lovely. In particular I respect that Adrian respects Maggie. I also applaud the writer’s in their efforts to forgo the drama that so often surrounds a the “break up” trope. Perhaps what I appreciate most is this; yes, this is a romance, but the story is more about the happily ever after to come instead of a happily ever after that’s already in progress.

The Prince and Me-esque fairy tale (including a Cinderella entrance) quality of this story is so sweet. Between the cast, setting and story, this is a production drips with enchantment. (Samantha Bond from Downton Abbey also appears.) Anyone who has likes Hallmark’s previous contemporary fairy tales will find an unforgettable fable inside this wintry fairy land.❅

Photos: Hallmark Media / Crown Media

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

8 comments

  1. I've enjoyed the two Winterfest movies. I really appreciated the deepness of the relationship and lack of drama in this one. I also like that the prince isn't stuffy and flat out tells his mother when she is being ridiculous for the modern age (most of the prince/princess movies pretend its the 18th century about arranged marrages). I feel like Hallmark made better Winter movies than Christmas movies this go round.

    1. As did I, Livia; I respect it when a script is drama free because all that silly "break up," same-old pattern gets old. Fast.

      I'm so glad you enjoyed these (so far) Winterfest films. I was very impressed with their Christmas films this year. While I had some I liked more (story) than others, I thought they were all improved in terms of production, acting and all that jazz. Given these Winterfest movies, I suspect 2017 is going to continue this.

      So glad you stopped by.

  2. I completely agree with you. I thought the writing in this movie was superb and I loved that the characters actually talked about their issues rationally rather than getting snippy and misunderstanding each other. It was actually refreshing to see two adults treat each other with kindness and respect rather than selfish insecurity and unneeded drama. Definitely one of my favorites. Do you recommend any other Hallmark movies?

    1. My apologies for the lateness of this reply.

      I'm so glad you too enjoyed this one. I do wish it released to DVD this past Christmas, because I definitely would have bought a copy. BUT I am glad I caught it last year, and agree: it is indeed refreshing. :)

      Goodness!! I have s many favorite Hallmark originals! You can see those I've reviewed on the Hallmark Channel review page. But off the top of my head, favorites include How to Fall in Love, Dater's Handbook, Hearts of Christmas, A Princess for Christmas, Unleashing Mr. Darcy and SO many others. Do you have any favorites?

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