Two Turtle Doves

Two Turtle Doves from 2019 is a heartwarming holiday movie that encapsulates the essence of the season with a captivating blend of grief, reminiscences, love, and unwavering hope. Starring Nikki Deloach, Michael Rady, and Michaela Russell, this movie is a crown gem of the television giant, Hallmark's heartwarming Christmas collection.

In this engaging narrative, Deloach plays Dr. Sharon Hayes, a driven and brilliant neuroscientist, who is fervently devoted to her research on the human brain. This passion comes from a deeply personal place, as she constantly grapples with having lost her beloved mother and endeavors to understand the science behind memories and emotions connected to her longing and loss.

When we first meet Sharon, she is returning to her quaint hometown for the first time since her mother passed away. She is on a determined quest to find a distinctive family heirloom — a specific Christmas ornament known as the two turtle doves. This ornament holds a special significance as it is believed to possess the ability to heal the hearts of its owner. However, finding this precious memento proves to be more challenging than she expects, stirring a whirlwind of emotions and old memories.

Enter Michael Rady, who plays Sam, a close family friend, and a potential love interest for Sharon. Sam holds a special bond with Sharon’s family and the late matriarch. To compound matters, Sam is wrestling with his own loss — his beloved wife passed away, leaving him to raise his young, vivacious daughter, Mikayla (brilliantly portrayed by Michaela Russell) alone. Mikayla misses her mother profoundly and hopes to understand what has happened to her.

As the story unfolds, we see Dr. Sharon Hayes team up with Sam in an attempt to find the elusive heirloom. Their emotionally charged journey sets the stage for touching moments of healing, second chances, blossoming romance, and the rediscovery of the joy of the holiday season. Two Turtle Doves delves into examining the fragility and strength of the human heart, the powerful connection it has to memories, and the courage it takes to move forward while still honoring the past.

The film is undoubtedly a Christmas movie, but beyond the twinkling lights, snowfall, and festive spirit, it's a story about how to navigate life after loss. Viewers are drawn into this heartfelt tale about love, grief, family, and the magic of the holidays that reminds us to celebrate life while we honor those we’ve lost. The movie validates the importance of cherished memories and the effect they have on our lives.

The film is set in a dreamy, picturesque small town that provides an ideal backdrop for this Christmas romance drama. Each scene is beautifully shot with attention to even the minutest details to make the viewers feel like they are part of the Christmas festivities.

As for the performances, Nikki Deloach shines as Dr. Sharon Hayes, delivering an emotionally profound performance that makes you feel her character's pain and joy in equal measure. Michael Rady, as Sam, complements her perfectly, his affable charm and heartfelt portrayal allowing audiences to root for his character. Michaela Russell steals several scenes with her innocent yet deeply mature performance as Sam's daughter.

Two Turtle Doves is directed by Lesley Demetriades, who does an excellent job of bringing out the emotions attached to grief, loss, and the healing power of love. The screenplay by Sarah Montana is equally impressive, delicately balancing the portrayal of intricate human emotions while never losing the festive Christmas spirit.

In a nutshell, Two Turtle Doves is much more than a typical Christmas romance drama. It's a poignant narrative about dealing with loss and how the magic of love and holiday spirit can gently guide us to accept, heal, and move forward.