Hallmark For All Seasons

Countdown to Christmas 2022

In Merry Measure

“In Merry Measure,” starring Patti Murin and Brendan Penny aired on November 11, 2022 during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas. Russell Hainline, new to Hallmark, provided the script. Paula Elle directed. Set in Dayton, Ohio, it was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.

Music (affiliate links): Ding Dong Singalong by Andrew Kingslow and Petrina Smith played while they were doing vocal exercises in one scene. The single that Darcy sings throughout the movie is actually a song written and originally performed by Amanda Jarufe called Peace of Mind.

In a nutshell

Surprisingly, the parts of the movie I loved the most were between the two sisters, portrayed by Patti Murin and Jennifer Robertson. While I thought Brendan Penny was great as competing choir leader Adam, it was the sister dynamic that I was rooting for.

The Plot of “In Merry Measure”

When pop star Darcy returns home to spend Christmas with her sister and niece, she unexpectedly finds herself coaching the high school choir with her onetime rival, Adam.

Actors & Chemistry

Let me say again that I thought sisters Gretchen and Darcy, portrayed by Jennifer Robertson (from “Schitt’s Creek”) and Patti Murin, were the best part of the movie. Their entire dynamic from beginning to end was superb. The fabulous writing of their relationship allowed Robertson and Murin to be playful and fun with their dynamic against each other, and it was wonderful.

The chemistry between Murin and Penny was interesting. I much preferred them when they were at odds with each other during the first half of the movie. His crankiness in her presence was a lot of fun, while her needling of him made me laugh. Then when it switched to them liking each other, and they lost some of that great kinetic energy. I did love the scene where Adam supported Darcy’s decision to go to New York to meet the record label and he told her that she could call him anytime. It’s so rare in Hallmark movies for a conversation that mature to take place.

Find the Tropes!

Overhead drone shot of the city to open. The whole movie was about Christmas carols. A snow globe! Empty coffee cups. A GIANT cup of cocoa for Megan after her failed audition. A Christmas item (stocking) that has special meaning. The decorated gingerbread houses. Campbell’s soup product placement.

Did I Hear/See That Right?

Casseroles are awful and tuna casserole is disgusting. There. I said it. I stand by it.

While I appreciate that the movie needs to speed up the kids getting confidence and learning to sing with authority, I’ve been in choirs, and NO CHOIR can immediately find all the intricate harmonies on the first try much less the second. I was even in state chorus in high school and we spent an entire weekend singing 8 hours a day before we had the songs learned well.

Feelgoods

I loved the two women spying on Megan and betting on whether Freddy would kiss her. Very cute scene. Followed by the Danny/Sandy reference (which is from “Grease” which you young kids may not know). And then to have Megan and her mom do the same thing to Darcy was great.

I love men in nerd glasses. I really do. So, Brendan Penny in nerd glasses? Hubba hubba.

Re-watchability of “In Merry Measure”

Forget the romance, I’m here for the sis-mance, and yes I’d watch it again.

The Rankings

For Christmas movies it’s kind of a middle of the pack movie, but it’s in the upper third for the entire year.

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