Hallmark For All Seasons

Miracles of Christmas 2020

Swept Up by Christmas

“Swept Up by Christmas” aired on December 19, 2020 on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. This is one of the rare Hallmark movies filmed in Montreal, Canada. It starred Lindy Booth and Justin Bruening with Hallmark newcomer Philippe Gagnon directing. The screenplay came from a trio of writers, Nicole Baxter, Hilary Galanoy and Elizabeth Hackett.

The music: The version of “O Holy Night” in the movie, in fact, all three songs heard in the movie that were supposedly sung by Isla, were performed by Mirusia on her Christmas Memories album (affiliate link).

In a nutshell

I don’t know what I expected from this movie, but I found myself not taking notes because I was just watching and enjoying the movie even though it was less playful in tone.

Plot of “Swept Up by Christmas”

Gwen, an antique dealer, and Reed, a cleaner, clash when downsizing a magnificent estate before Christmas. As they uncover the home’s treasures, they help reconnect the reclusive owner with his Christmas past.

Actors

Lindy Booth always does a good job but I especially liked her in “Swept.” She’s been doing Hallmark movies since 2016, and I think this might be my favorite one of hers (although I have a special love for “Rocky Mountain Christmas” co-starring Kristoffer Polaha).

Justin Bruening has been acting since 2003, but believe it or not, I’ve not watched him in anything other than 2018’s “Last Vermont Christmas,” also on Hallmark. I really liked his performance in “Swept” and thought he was a nice mix of structured and relaxed, if you know what I mean.

Six Degrees of Kristoffer Polaha: Justin Bruening is directly connected to Polaha. They both had roles in a 2011 TV show called “Ringer” which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Chemistry

Booth and Bruening were great together. I also liked the secondary actors from her parents to his co-workers. The whole cast was great. And while I didn’t really feel a connection between Gwen and Reed until over halfway through the movie, it felt earned in an honest way to finally have them realizing they genuinely like each other.

Tropes

Gwen opened the movie walking down the street with an empty cup of coffee, Reed quickly esblished that he is a vet. We even had a little bit of party planning in this movie. Gwen and her parents decorated their Christmas tree.

Gwen met up with her friend at the Christmas market. We finally saw Gwen’s house, which had a front porch. Gwen and Reed went Christmas tree shopping. Gwen finally wore a big scarf.

I didn’t spot much more than that, but admittedly I stopped taking notes at some point.

Bingo Card Score for “Swept Up by Christmas”

I gave up playing at some point, so I only covered three spots but stopped looking to cover spots at some point. No bingo, obviously. Feel free to download my free bingo cards and play along!

Did I Hear/See That Right?

My biggest issue was the tree topper. That thing was so clearly made of plastic and beads versus being a priceless glass heirloom from Bruges. I was frustrated everytime the camera did a closeup.

Feelgoods

The woodwork in that house was gorgeous. I’d love to live in a home with all that dark wood..

Re-watchability

While I enjoyed the movie I’m not sure I would watch it again simply because it was more serious in tone. I prefer my Hallmark movies to be a bit fluffy most of the time, with a few exceptions for the really well done serious movies.

The Ranking

“Swept Up by Christmas” came in at a respectable 24 for the year.

One Royal Holiday (air date: Oct 31) – 722 pts – weighted score: 121.8 (85.5%)
On the 12th Date of Christmas (air date: Nov 1) – 707 pts – weighted score: 119.2 (83.6%)
The Christmas House (air date: Nov 22) – 710 pts – weighted score: 118.6 (83.2%)
Sweet Autumn (air date: Oct 17) – 693 pts – weighted score: 118.5 (83.1%)
Good Morning, Christmas! (air date: Nov 25) – 698 pts – weighted score: 118.2 (82.9%)
A Timeless Christmas (air date: Nov 14) – 700 pts – weighted score: 117.7 (82.6%)
Deliver by Christmas (air date: Oct 25) – 697 pts – weighted score: 117.4 (82.4%)
Christmas With the Darlings (air date: Nov 8) – 691 pts – weighted score: 117.2 (82.2%)
Christmas Waltz (air date: Nov 29) – 694 pts – weighted score: 116.1 (81.5%)
Christmas by Starlight (air date: Nov 26) – 689 pts – weighted score: 115.9 (81.3%)
Unlocking Christmas (air date: Dec 12) – 687 pts – weighted score: 115.9 (81.3%)
A Glenbrooke Christmas (air date: Dec 12) – 695 pts – weighted score: 115.8 (81.2%)
Five Star Christmas (air date: Nov 27) – 688 pts – weighted score: 115.8 (81.2%)
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater (air date: Nov 7) – 681 pts – weighted score: 115.8 (81.2%)
Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (air date: Dec 12) – 677 pts – weighted score: 114.1 (80.0%)
Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing (air date: Dec 5) – 672 pts – weighted score: 113.9 (79.9%)
The Christmas Bow (air date: Nov 8) – 676 pts – weighted score: 113.2 (79.4%)
Cranberry Christmas (air date: Oct 31) – 650 pts – weighted score: 112.1 (78.6%)
The Angel Tree (air date: Nov 21) – 670 pts – weighted score: 110.9 (77.8%)
Matching Hearts (air date: Feb 8) – 640 pts – weighted score: 109.0 (76.5%)
Winter in Vail (air date: Jan 4) – 623 pts – weighted score: 108.8 (76.4%)
Wedding Every Weekend (air date: Aug 15) – 639 pts – weighted score: 108.3 (76.0%)
Love in Store (air date: Feb 22) – 637 pts – weighted score: 108.2 (75.9%)
Swept Up By Christmas (air date: Dec 19) – 631 pts – weighted score: 107.5 (75.4%)
Christmas in Vienna (air date: Nov 14) – 636 pts – weighted score: 107.0 (75.1%)
A Nashville Christmas Carol (air date: Nov 21) – 634 pts – weighted score: 107.0 (75.1%)
A Little Christmas Charm (air date: Dec 6) – 656 pts – weighted score: 106.9 (75.0%)
Love on Harbor Island (air date: Aug 8) – 634 pts – weighted score: 106.9 (75.0%)
Holly & Ivy (air date: Oct 31) – 615 pts – weighted score: 106.8 (74.9%)
A Christmas Carousel (air date: Dec 19) – 610 pts – weighted score: 106.1 (74.4%)
Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas (air date: Dec 5) – 615 pts – weighted score: 105.3 (73.9%)
The Secret Ingredient (air date: Feb 15) – 617 pts – weighted score: 105.2 (73.8%)
The Christmas Doctor (air date: Nov 15) – 605 pts (weighted score: 104.8 (73.5%)
Country at Heart (air date: Oct 3) – 611 pts – weighted score: 104.1 (73.1%)
You’re Bacon Me Crazy (air date: Apr 4) – 591 pts – weighted score: 104.0 (72.9%)
My Best Friend’s Bouquet (air date: Oct 10) – 599 pts – weighted score: 103.4 (72.5%)
The Christmas Ring (air date: Nov 7) – 609 pts – weighted score: 103.3 (72.5%)
Fashionably Yours (air date: Apr 11) – 594 pts – weighted score: 102.6 (72.0%)
Follow Your Heart (air date: Oct 4) – 585 pts – weighted score: 101.6 (71.3%)
A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love (air date: Nov 22) – 587 pts – weighted score: 100.9 (70.8%)
Christmas Tree Lane (air date: Oct 24) – 574 pts – weighted score: 100.3 (70.4%)
A Valentine’s Match (air date: Feb 1) – 562 pts – weighted score: 99.8 (70.0%)
Love On Iceland (air date: Jan 18) – 563 pts – weighted score: 99.4 (69.7%)
Christmas She Wrote (air date: Dec 6) – 591 pts – weighted score: 99.2 (69.6%)
Christmas Comes Twice (air date: Dec 13) – 583 pts – weighted score: 99.1 (69.5%)
Hearts of Winter (air date: Jan 25) – 561 pts – weighted score: 98.2 (68.9%)
Heart of the Holidays (air date: Nov 23) – 570 pts – weighted score: 97.9 (68.7%)
Jingle Bell Bride (air date: Oct 24) – 558 pts – weighted score: 97.9 (68.7%)
Just My Type (air date: Mar 28) – 565 pts – weighted score: 95.4 (66.9%)
Meet Me At Christmas (air date: Nov 15) 532 pts – weighted score: 91.1 (63.9%)
Bad Date Chronicles (air date: Feb 28) – 520 pts – weighted score: 91.0 (63.9%)
Love in Winterland (air date: Jan 11) – 508 pts – weighted score: 90.7 (63.6%)
Nature of Love (air date: Apr 18) – 520 pts – weighted score: 90.3 (63.3%)
If I Only Had Christmas (air date: Nov 29) – 535 pts – weighted score: 90.0 (63.2%)
USS Christmas (air date: Nov 28) – 521 pts – weighted score: 87.5 (61.4%)
Chateau Christmas (air date: Oct 25) – 502 pts – weighted score: 87.3 (61.3%)
Amazing Winter Romance (air date: Jan 20) – 487 pts – weighted score: 85.6 (60.1%)
Love Under the Olive Tree (air date: June 20) – 473 pts – weighted score: 85.0 (59.6%)
In the Key of Love (air date: Mar 14) – 470 pts – weighted score: 82.5 (57.9%)
Love in the Forecast (air date: Jun 13) – 440 pts – weighted score: 72.5 (50.8%)
Midway to Love (air date: June 26) – 410 pts – weighted score: 69.0 (48.4%)
Falling at Look Lodge (air date: Sept 26) – 350 pts – weighted score: 64.0 (44.9%)
Romance in the Air (air date: Aug 1) – 367 pts – weighted score: 63.2 (44.3%)
Follow Me to Daisy Hills (air date: Sept 19) – 337 pts – weighted score: 62.8 (44.1%)
How to Train Your Husband (air date: May 16) – 350 pts – weighted score: 62.5 (43.9%)