More often than not, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries films come ready to strike hard and fast with tear-jerker plots. The movies almost always hit, and even if they’re subpar, they’re still pretty enjoyable from beginning to end. That said, Hallmark’s latest Miracles of Christmas movie, Five Gold Rings, is one of the year’s best.
Starring Holland Roden and Nolan Gerard Funk, Five Gold Rings is both achingly romantic and brimming with the holiday spirit. While beats might require suspending disbelief, the characters feel grounded in a way that makes the quest realistic. It’s thoroughly enthralling, with so much heart that the idea alone is easy to believe in. Today, especially, I think we’re all looking for the hope to consider that human beings can be thoughtful and that maybe, the sentimental object we lost can be returned to us.
First things first, Hallmark’s Five Gold Rings brightly shines in the romance department (save for one “not like other girls” statement), but because the rest of the movie is great, I’ll let it slide. There’s an obvious attraction between Audrey and Flynn right from the start, and though we don’t have flashbacks of what they were like when they were younger, the chemistry and longing are palpable enough to root for them in the present. Frequently, relationships like this don’t feel plausible, but when we get great moments in the present that showcase why the two should be together, it becomes effortless to cheer for them.
It’s clear from the onset that Audrey and Flynn have a lot in common and, perhaps, more importantly, that they’re good at working together. They listen to one another and take each other seriously, and in the quiet moments, we get a sense of how they’d be in a relationship. And even though there’s a reason why Flynn chooses to help Audrey return the five gold rings her late grandmother left, it still tells us plenty about his character, which in turn allows us to trust him.
Additionally, Hallmark’s Five Gold Rings is a love letter to families. It’s a reminder that our passion and traits come from somewhere and that honoring a person’s legacy is one of the easiest ways to feel close to them again. Audrey’s grandmother is such a warm presence throughout the film that it makes it ten times more moving to watch Audrey and her mother honor her. Her role in Audrey’s devotion to art and the decision she makes for her future is so poignantly relatable that I’m sure many viewers will connect with this particular arc.
Further, there’s no denying that there’s hope sprinkled into every frame and something sweet to hang onto for romance fans. It certainly helps that Roden is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses in Hallmark films because she can convey so much without ever overdoing it. (Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas is still an all-time favorite.)
The emotional moments hit as deeply as they do because Roden excellently embodies a woman who’s multifaceted—her grief, her longings, and her excitement are all palpable because of the performances, making the movie that much more special. It’s endearing and vulnerable, and every scene feels like the balm many of us need while the rest of the world feels bleak and dark.
More importantly, both characters start and end the film with satisfying arcs that honor who they want to be, while this quest unquestionably brings out the best in them. They allow themselves to feel everything fully, resulting in the kind of relationship we can be confident will last long after the credits roll.
The magic of this love story is so gorgeously invisible strings-coded that it’s especially lovely for those of us who prefer this type of romance. Audrey’s grandmother’s involvement, the kindness between their two families, every story that goes along with a missing ring, and every sincere moment make the entire film feel like a warm hug. Don’t miss this one.
Watch Five Gold Rings on the Hallmark Channel this Christmas.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Hallmark