just watch it!

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The first temptation is to criticize it. without mercy. for flaws, for sugar exces, for the story who is not only predictable but ...fake. but the ballet moments are good motif for be lenient. because, in essence, it is only a Hallmark film. not the best, not the worse. with a nice pretext and a not credible plot but that is not the great sin. maybe, the performances are not the most inspired . but the film works. and it is not surprise - the love stories are useful heart for each film of genre.

A young ballet prodigy follows in the steps of her aunt who is helping to raise her after her mother dies. Young Sadie (Sophia Lucia) is becoming the ballet dancer that her aunt Lilly (Amy Ackler) had aspired to be, even making it to the New York Ballet production of The Nutcracker only to drop out when she learns of the death of her sister. After eight years of absence, Lilly finds herself accompanying Sadie to Philadelphia where Sadie is offered the lead in the local production of The Nutcracker. However, the director turns out to be Mark (Sascha Radetsky), Lilly's one time boyfriend in New York, whom have not seen one another in eight years. There breakup had not been a happy one therefore much tension is experienced during the first couple of weeks. In the meantime, hard feelings begin to melt away as the two previous lovers find a mutual interest in Sadie's training. Through several mishaps, the three of them end up with the leading roles in the production. Although at times the story is quiet predictable, the last twenty minutes of the movie brings the rest of the story to a grand ending as the dance company performs a great rendition of The Nutcracker. Throughout the movie there is a simple dialogue that blooms in the end!

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDAHallmark seems to make Christmas movies that they can make Christmas Tree Ornaments from. Well this is no exception. What we have hear is a film that is so predictable that there is ZERO suspense. Now I love "The Nutcracker". Its always a great ballet to watch. Even the worse amateur productions have more merit than this terrible film!In this film A rising ballet star is ready to take the stage in her dream role when she receives the shocking news that her sister has died. Years later, she has vowed never to dance again, but a chance encounter with an old flame may change her mind.Now what happens in the first 10 minutes gets mirrored in the last 10 minutes. A better film could have been made with a same general outline. What it needed someone who could have made this less predictable. If you want to watch go ahead I can't stop you. Keep in mind you have seen this same story points echoed throughout the years in better films!

What can be said is Hallmark produces quality movies. I am new to the Hallmark Christmas movies and holidays in general, but most are very good.This movie is no exception and I dare say exceptional. It's about love; love of dance and specifically ballet. The story revolves around two people who are torn by a tragedy and lose themselves, lose hope and lose each other. Through events, they meet 8 years later but can they come together and succeed where they once failed? Is a second chance at ballet, a second chance at love possible, and will they take that chance again? We know this is a Christmas movie, but it is excellent and well acted. It has dance scenes and well choreographed moves, at least to the untrained eye. I must give this movie a 10 out of 10. The characters are well played and the story in engaging. MUST SEE and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!