Hallmark For All Seasons

“Inventing the Christmas Prince,” starring Tamera Mowry-Housley and Ronnie Rowe Jr. aired on November 18, 2022 during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas. It was filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Paul Ziller directed this movie based on a script by Kim Beyer-Johnson.  Beyer-Johnson previously wrote A Valentine’s Match, Snowkissed, and Wedding March 5: My Boyfriend’s Back.

Music (affiliate links):  It’s Almost Christmas by Ingrid Michaelson and A Great Big World played when Evan showed up at the Christmas dance.

In a nutshell

Even though the story was preposterous, I found myself really enjoying the movie.  There were a few plot issues, but on the whole, this was a pleasant movie.

The Plot of “Inventing the Christmas Prince”

Shelby is about to quit her job as a rocket engineer when her daughter becomes convinced that her Scrooge-like boss, Evan, is the Christmas Prince; a story Shelby invented years ago.

Actors & Chemistry

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I adore Tamera Mowry-Housley.  I am too old to have been a “Sister, Sister” tv show viewer, but I’m still a fan.  She effortlessly brings humanity and vulnerability and sweetness to all her portrayals.  She’s just enjoyable to watch.

As for Ronnie Rowe, I loved him in 2020’s mediocre Jingle Bell Bride, so I’m glad he’s back with another movie on Hallmark. He’s a solid actor, and handsome to boot. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Evan go from an emotionless robot to a man that actually smiled occasionally and came to care for other people.

Find the Tropes!

Single widowed parent to cute kid. Decorating the tree. Balsam Hill product placement. Two lead characters don’t like each other at first. We had a hint of Christmas magic when the daughter made her wish. There were lots of big scarves.  Shelby’s friend’s house had a front porch. We saw some empty cups, and there was a toy drive. We got the old “he says something is very beautiful but he’s actually looking at her when he says it” trope.  We haven’t had that one in a while. And lastly, a Christmas dance.

Did I Hear/See That Right?

We won’t even talk about the entire Christmas Prince nonsense, or the fact that her company doesn’t know whether it does satellites, rockets, or research. We also won’t talk about the fact that bosses and subordinates should not date.  That’s a Harlequin romance trope that disappeared in the 1980s.

I don’t know many office buildings that decorate their rooftops.  I work in a small single story office building and we do not decorate our roof.  The only time someone goes on the roof is to service the 5-6 AC units we have up there.  Or to rescue the odd frisbee that ends up there.  We’re not HANGING ON THE ROOF, much less decorating it.

When my kids were younger, then never fell asleep within 1-2 seconds of saying goodnight.  And certainly not when all the lights were on.

Shelby had no right to be upset that Evan was forced to attend a board meeting on the night of the dance, knowing he was in danger of GETTING FIRED.  That was completely uncalled for and she was in the wrong on that one.

Feelgoods

Shelby’s love for her daughter was clear, and I enjoyed seeing their bedtime routine with the kisses. So sweet. I also really enjoyed Shelby’s grief group. And yes, I did smile when Evan presented the ladies with tiaras at the Christmas dance.

Re-watchability of “Inventing the Christmas Prince”

I could see re-watching this if I saw it was airing, but I’m not sure I’d seek it out.  But with two fabulous lead actors, it’s worth watching it again if I come across it.

The Rankings

My general issues with the plot lowered the score on this one, but it’s still in the upper third for the year.

1. Ghosts of Christmas Always (air date: Oct 30) – 732 pts – weighted score: 122.4 (85.9%)
2. Lights, Camera, Christmas! (air date: Nov 5) – 671 pts – weighted score: 113.1 (79.4%)
3. A Kismet Christmas (air date: Oct 24) – 664 pts – weighted score: 113.2 (79.4%)
4. Christmas at the Golden Dragon (air date: Nov 13) – 665 pts – weighted score: 112.1 (78.7%)
5. Two Tickets to Paradise (air date: June 25) – 664 pts – weighted score: 111.4 (78.1%)
6. Just One Kiss (air date: Apr 2) – 660 pts – weighted score: 111.2 (78.0%)
7. The Presence of Love (air date: Mar 13) – 650 pts – weighted score: 110.9 (77.8%)
8. Wedding of a Lifetime (air date: Sept 17) – 640 pts – weighted score: 108.2 (75.9%)
9. Dating the Delaneys (air date: Aug 20) – 638 pts – weighted score: 106.5 (74.7%)
10. Love, Classified (air date: Apr 16) – 624 pts – weighted score: 106.1 (74.4%)
11. All Saints Christmas (air date: Nov 5) – 624 pts – weighted score: 106.0 (74.4%)
12. A Royal Runaway Romance (air date: Apr 9) – 617 pts – weighted score: 105.9 (74.3%)
13. Jolly Good Christmas (air date: Oct 29) – 625 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.2%)
14. We Wish You a Married Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 623 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.1%)
15. The Royal Nanny (air date: Nov 12) – 611 pts – weighted score: 105.5 (74.0%)
16. In Merry Measure (air date: Nov 11) – 625 pts – weighted score: 105.4 (73.9%)
17. Rip in Time (air date: May 22) – 622 pts – weighted score: 105.3 (73.9%)
18. Inventing the Christmas Prince (air date: Nov 18) – 614 pts – weighted score: 105.2 (73.8%)
19. We Need a Little Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 614 pts – weighted score: 105.1 (73.7%)
20. Campfire Christmas (air date: July 16) – 621 pts – weighted score: 104.9 (73.6%)
21. Noel Next Door (air date: Oct 21) – 609 pts – weighted score: 104.8 (73.5%)
22. Caribbean Summer (air date: June 11) – 636 pts – weighted score: 104.7 (73.5%)
23. A Cozy Christmas Inn (air date: Oct 28) – 626 pts – weighted score: 104.6 (73.5%)
24. Always Amore (air date: Apr 3) – 618 pts – weighted score: 104.5 (73.3%)
25. Hidden Gems (air date: Jun 4) – 611 pts – weighted score: 102.3 (71.8%)
26. A Magical Christmas Village (air date: Nov 4) – 592 pts – weighted score: 101.8 (71.4%)
27. Pumpkin Everything (air date: Oct 8) – 603 pts – weighted score: 101.6 (71.3%)
28. Autumn in the City (air date: Oct 15) – 594 pts – weighted score: 100.2 (70.3%)
29. Love in the Limelight (air date: Aug 6) – 604 pts – weighted score: 100.0 (70.2%)
30. Second Chance at Love (air date: Mar 26) – 585 pts – weighted score: 99.7 (69.9%)
31. Christmas Bedtime Stories (air date: Oct 29) – 575 pts – weighted score: 98.8 (69.3%)
32. Romance in Style (air date: Aug 13) – 562 pts – weighted score: 97.2 (68.2%)
33. Big Sky River (air date: Aug 7) – 568 pts – weighted score: 97.1 (68.1%)
34. Game, Set, Love (air date: Aug 27) – 552 pts – weighted score: 95.3 (66.9%)
35. A Tail of Love (air date: Apr 23) – 557 pts – weighted score: 94.4 (66.2%)
36. The Perfect Pairing (air date: Jan 15) – 563 pts – weighted score: 92.7 (65.0%)
37. Christmas in Toyland (air date: July 23) – 544 pts – weighted score: 92.4 (64.8%)
38. The Wedding Veil Legacy (air date: Feb 19) – 543 pts – weighted score: 92.0 (64.5%)
39. Welcome to Mama’s (air date: Feb 26) – 540 pts – weighted score: 91.9 (64.5%)
40. Butlers in Love (air date: Jan 29) – 527 pts – weighted score: 91.3 (64.0%)
41. Feeling Butterflies (air date: Mar 12) – 542 pts – weighted score: 91.2 (64.0%)
42. To Her, With Love (air date: Sept 11) – 536 pts – weighted score: 89.4 (62.7%)
43. The Wedding Veil Unveiled (air date: Feb 12) – 515 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (61.0%)
44. My Grown-Up Christmas List (air date: July 9) – 514 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (60.9%)
45. Road Trip Romance (air date: May 14) – 492 pts – weighted score: 85.9 (60.3%)
46. Don’t Forget I Love You (air date: Jan 22) – 508 pts – weighted score: 85.8 (60.2%)
47. The Wedding Veil (air date: Jan 8) – 508 pts – weighted score: 83.3 (58.4%)
48. Where the Heart Belongs (air date: Jan 1) – 435 pts – weighted score: 74.5 (52.3%)
49. 14 Love Letters (air date: July 31) – 420 pts – weighted score: 73.5 (51.6%)

To see where this movie lands in my overall rankings of Hallmark movies, visit my Hallmark Movie Rankings page!

What did you think of “Inventing the Christmas Prince”?  Comment below and let me know!