'A Reason for the Season' Reviews: "Taylor Cole shines leading the way as Evie Lane, turning a character that could come across as bratty and unlikeable in the wrong hands into a warm, charming protagonist you root for"

         In November, Hallmark Channel released 'A Reason for the Season', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, "In order to earn her trust fund and with the help of a handsome local attorney, Evie is tasked with granting Christmas wishes to the people who saved her life on the night of her birth." The ensemble cast includes Kevin McGarry and Taylor Cole. But what did the critics say?

Photo by Mourad Saadi on Unsplash

        Maddy Casale of Decider notes, "A Reason for the Season shares some similarities with the 2017 Netflix Original comedy-drama film Christmas Inheritance, namely the fact that both titles revolve around a spoiled heiress from New York City confronting her privilege in a small town over Christmastime so she can earn her inheritance. And of course, she’s got a budding romance with a local guy, too! Taylor Cole shines leading the way as Evie Lane, turning a character that could come across as bratty and unlikeable in the wrong hands into a warm, charming protagonist you root for. Cole also has a great natural chemistry with her co-stars, making every onscreen interaction entertaining and engaging." Adding, "A major staple of many Hallmark holiday movies is something that’s supposed to come across as a charming fictional small town, but A Reason for the Season actually delivers when it comes to Brookswood and its lovable inhabitants. Every single townsperson from the Polaroid photo was a delight and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them and seeing their little side stories. I couldn’t help but root for their happiness and feel touched at the completion of their respective Christmas wishes. Even Evie’s baffled acknowledgment that everyone is so happy in this town felt like a winning tongue-in-cheek way of saying “Yes, we know we’re in a Hallmark movie and we’re going to have fun with it.” But while all of the side characters make a positive impact, Evie, Elizabeth, and Kyle especially pop as the film’s leads. Taylor Cole’s easy chemistry with Sarah-Jane Redmond and Kevin McGarry makes both the familial and romantic moments ring that much truer and pleasant to watch. There’s nothing particularly shocking or ground-breaking about the characters or the plot, but there doesn’t have to be. It’s just pure Christmastime escapism and easy viewing. And I think we can all raise a cup of cheer to that!" Photo by Mourad Saadi on Unsplash