Midnight Masquerade

A superb romance drama television movie that hits the sweet spot of drama and lightness. Great resolution replay on the big television monitor also helps. This predictable romance includes a carefully crafted plot with just the right hint of reveals that do not reveal too much without feeling manipulated. This great feel good movie elevates itself with good pacing and a strong corporate and rich female lead along with the humble but smart and hardworking lawyer. The script incorporates all the stereotypical elements of the standard romance drama but handles them with a respectful class never overdoing their place in the story. Overall, wonderfully and emotionally pleasing.

The two main actors did a great job of being geeky. If you love Cinderella as much as I do, this movie is for sure worth watching. I give writers credit for their similarities to the fairytale. Some are a little week but I still appreciated them.

In this reversal of the traditional Cinderella story, Rob Carelli (Christopher Russell) is a Pittsburgh attorney who gets all the work and none of the credit in his firm, run by a father and his two arrogant, bully sons. Rob falls for the head of a client firm, Elyse Samford (Autumn Reeser), but is too reserved to do anything about it. Russell has that Christopher Reeves-as-Clark-Kent vibe going: ruggedly handsome, but socially awkward, and hiding his true feelings. When he wears a mask, you have to accept that no one could possibly identify him. This Hallmark romance is one of the better ones. The chemistry between the two leads is strong, and both are very likable. Over and over again, Rob proves himself to be a caring, principled man. The meaty role of his niece Ruby is played by Helen Colliander. And Neil Crone plays the part of Sam, the over-qualified and somewhat cynical office security man Rob befriends.

This was a thoroughly charming take on the classic Cinderella Story with a bullied and abused lawyer in the Cinderella role and a newly appointed company CEO as the "princess" charming. Loved how the shoes were worked into the story line, along with the self-serving step-father, and step-brother types in roles of partner owner of law firm and lazy sons. The niece role worked nicely as fairy-godmother type. The Halloween costume party was a nice layer to provide costume and mask to hide the identities. The conclusion was very satisfying and did not feel rush like some hallmark movies have. Looking forward to next season's crop of Hallmark's seasonal movies.

I love this one. I gave it a "10" years ago and have seen it multiple times since. Autumn Reiser is lovely and charming and because of this movie I have always given her the benefit of the doubt in subsequent roles. Christopher Russell is adorable and sexy in the "cinderfella" role. His appeal usually rests with his chemistry with his costars and it couldn't have been better in this, one of his first Hallmark roles. He usually is a bit passive in his starring roles, but it really works in this one. As the Cinderella story line requires, Rob is bullied and taken advantage of throughout most of the movie. This is quite painful to watch and almost took a little shine off of the romance. When he finally grew a backbone and stood up for himself and did the right thing, it was a huge relief. As his Niece/Fairy godmother says, he is just too nice. The parallels with the Cinderella story with the role reversal were cleverly done. Autumn Reeser can't stand her high-heels, so she carries them around with her. As the prince figure she is the daughter of a corporate magnate who is training her to take over the business. She is strong and smart and down to earth. The wicked stepmother and step sisters are the head partner and his two sons of her corporate attorneys. Oooooh, they are horrible and evil! Rob is a lawyer that slaves for them while they take all the credit for his hard work. Again, that part was maddening. Anyway, the writing, the plot, and the cast all come together in this Hallmark in which everything works. Not a weak link in it!

I would not call this film a romantic comedy, it is not a laugh out loud film. I would call this Mills and Boon on the big screen. It is the classic girl meets boy with the traditional bad guys. I have to say that what sets this film apart is Autumn Reisser she is a delightful actress, one of those women any mother would love to have as a daughter in law. Back to the film, Midnight Masquerade is a delightful film and I have watched it four times already and like it each time. Every actor is exceptional the niece the leading man even the bad guys. I like the film so much I am waiting eagerly for the film to be released on DVD. So if you have an afternoon spare and you see Midnight Masquerade in your TV listing, take the time out and watch it you will not be disappointed.