Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2 (2021)
A Gift to Remember is absolutely delightful, and I enjoy watching it every year. Unfortunately, the sequel was a big disappointment. It’s not entirely unexpected, because how can you make the story interesting with no drama or amnesia? This one takes place one year after the original, and the Darcy and Aiden (Ali Liebert and Peter Porte) are spending their first Christmas together as a couple. You’ll still see Mrs. Henley, Luigi, Nurse Nancy, and Bailey. Mrs. Henley has a large role, as she’s taking care of her nephew while his parents are deployed over the holiday.
The huge criticism of this Hallmark is the script. It’s as if the writer never saw the original, but read a synopsis to be sure to include a few reminders of amnesia and Chaucer’s Books. Darcy’s character is really irritating. Where is her gumption from the first movie? Where is her Christmas spirit? She’s downright rude to a first-time author trying to promote his book, she makes mountains out of molehills, and she spends the better part of her scenes trying to sneak around and find out what her Christmas present is. Aiden has come up with a very thoughtful present, but it’s unnecessary. Trying to replicate a meaningful gift her late father gave her will never have the same meaning, and depending on whatever feelings it brings up for her, it could completely backfire. Dominic Mariche, who plays the Henley nephew, speaks and acts like a grown-up rather than a little child, yet another criticism of the teleplay.
The best part of this lackluster sequel was learning of Mrs. Henley’s (Tina Lifford) backstory. Remember in the first one, she liked to decorate like crazy? We finally find out why: she decorates in honor of her late husband, who loved the spirit of the season. The first year after he died, she didn’t celebrate at all, and she realized that was dishonoring his memory. Obviously, fans of the first movie are going to watch this sequel, but just don’t get your hopes up. I appreciated Mrs. Henley, but I prefer to think Darcy had a momentary bad mood and that if there’s ever a third movie, she’ll be back to her lovable self again.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of A Gift to Remember here!
More Christmas movies here!
The huge criticism of this Hallmark is the script. It’s as if the writer never saw the original, but read a synopsis to be sure to include a few reminders of amnesia and Chaucer’s Books. Darcy’s character is really irritating. Where is her gumption from the first movie? Where is her Christmas spirit? She’s downright rude to a first-time author trying to promote his book, she makes mountains out of molehills, and she spends the better part of her scenes trying to sneak around and find out what her Christmas present is. Aiden has come up with a very thoughtful present, but it’s unnecessary. Trying to replicate a meaningful gift her late father gave her will never have the same meaning, and depending on whatever feelings it brings up for her, it could completely backfire. Dominic Mariche, who plays the Henley nephew, speaks and acts like a grown-up rather than a little child, yet another criticism of the teleplay.
The best part of this lackluster sequel was learning of Mrs. Henley’s (Tina Lifford) backstory. Remember in the first one, she liked to decorate like crazy? We finally find out why: she decorates in honor of her late husband, who loved the spirit of the season. The first year after he died, she didn’t celebrate at all, and she realized that was dishonoring his memory. Obviously, fans of the first movie are going to watch this sequel, but just don’t get your hopes up. I appreciated Mrs. Henley, but I prefer to think Darcy had a momentary bad mood and that if there’s ever a third movie, she’ll be back to her lovable self again.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of A Gift to Remember here!
More Christmas movies here!