But then again, this is a movie that thrives in the juxtaposition of festive fun and vulnerability.
When the sequel picks up five years later, the boy and mom have become part of the family.
Fortunately, treading heavier territory doesnt have to come at the expense of the genres dedicated fans.
We deal with mental health, anxiety, people feeling less than, people struggling in their career.
Were telling stories about the human condition, he says.
Were not in a bakery having a bake-off and cupcake contest.
Thats no shade to Hallmarks culinary oeuvre.
These foibles dont just fuel the cathartic humor of the movie.
We want to see frailty, says Kimberley Sustad, his co-writer andfrequent collaborator.
I mean, you look atKen from theBarbiemovie.
Hes like the picture-perfect Hallmark hunk, but seeing the cracks is what made that whole arc.
Its not a traditional rom-com scene, per se, but it communicates a self-awarenessthats attractivein any potential partner.
There seemed to be a tendency to be very wholesome.
Very polished, he tells me.
I thought, Well, theres an obvious thing I can poke at.
The care they put into their roles can be felt behind the scenes, too.
If Im not extremely prepared, Im not going to have an actual opinion.
The work pays off.
