Aahana Swrup
‘Winter Castle’ is a cozy romantic film where an ice-made hotel becomes the wondrous catalyst in the quest after true love. Jenny Walsh, an aspiring children’s author, is all set to attend her sister Meg’s wedding at The Ice Hotel, a venue straight out of a fairytale. Furthermore, Meg has taken the liberty of playing matchmaker and plans on setting Jenny up with the best man, Craig. However, once the wedding party arrives at the destination, the sisters realize that Craig actually already has a plus-one. Even so, the single father’s young daughter, Sara, bonds with Jenny—the kid can’t help but wish for a happy ending where dreams can come true. This Hallmark wintertime romance charts a compelling, if tumultuous, tale where a destination wedding ends up strapping the characters in for an unforgettable wild ride. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Winter Castle Pens a Charming, Icy Romance
Appropriately titled, ‘Winter Castle’ is an enchanting love story whose magic is held inside the central Ice Hotel, the cradle for a blooming connection. The hotel—apparently an actual place that exists even off-screen—captivates the audience’s attention from its first appearance on the screen. In fact, it only becomes even more magical from there! Naturally, when two lovable leads, Jenny and Craig, are compelled into a set-up at the same hotel, it’s hard not to root for their romance. Similarly, the precious relationship between Jenny and Sara—often the source behind any and all on-screen hijinks—is bound to warm the audience’s hearts. Therefore, the central love story remains easily engaging with well-crafted characters.
However, while the film excels at establishing Jenny, Craig, and Sara, it falls short with the supporting characters. Despite the story revolving around Meg and Tony’s wedding, the soon-to-be-wed couple barely gets much development throughout the plot. Similarly, Lana—Craig’s supposed date and the source of the primary conflict—appears underdeveloped. For the same reason, the dynamic between her and her could-be beau also suffers, casting Craig in a passive light within their relationship. Nonetheless, the lack of convincing and ongoing conflict is an issue largely overshadowed by the joyous encounters between the father-daughter duo and their whimsical storyteller on retainer. Ultimately, the film drives all its focus on arguably its best assets and benefits greatly from it.
Winter Castle Plot Summary
Jenny begins the story as an editor in a successful publishing house who has trouble actualizing her dreams of becoming an author because her boss lacks confidence in her. Nonetheless, her eternal optimism keeps hope alive. Therefore, as she gears up to visit the Ice Hotel—her sister’s last-minute but dreamy wedding venue—she has high hopes for the right kind of literary inspiration to strike. On her part, the sister—Megan—believes that the hotel can bring luck for Jenny in more than one sphere of her life. She’s eager to set her sister up with her fiancé Tony’s best man, Craig.
As an impromptu meeting at the lobby with the same Craig and his daughter, Sara, proves, Jenny isn’t at all opposed to the idea. Yet, it isn’t long before that bubble pops once they realize Craig has arrived with a plus one, Lana, who seems to be better suited to the heat. For the same reason, her aversion to activities geared toward the cold opens up plenty of opportunities for Jenny to accidentally end up spending time with Craig and Sara. She instantly strikes up a camaraderie with the young girl, who is a fan of the editor’s endless scope for storytelling. Consequently, she inevitably also becomes a favorite in Craig’s eye. Yet, his complicated relationship with Lana continues to be the ever-present elephant in the room.
Still, this doesn’t stop Meg, who seems to have decided Craig is the one for her sister. Therefore, she continues to meddle in her love life. Meanwhile, Jenny continues working on a new book inspired by the Ice Hotel and receives a golden opportunity to pitch it to her boss in a moment of need. Eventually, it leads to fruitful roads, making one of her lifelong dreams come true. On the other hand, Sara takes to the idea of Jenny ending with her father like a bee to honey. She even wishes upon a star for it. However, Craig’s indecisiveness threatens to crumble up that same dream.
Even though Craig isn’t technically in a relationship with Lana, the woman has been a great help to his family since his wife’s passing. Consequently, he is torn over the obligation he feels toward Lana—whom he considers to be a good fit for his family—and Jenny, who he has become infinitely fond of in the past few days. When he tries to talk to the latter about it during the rehearsal dinner, she gently solves his dilemma by taking herself out of the game. Yet, Lana seems to have the same idea. Earlier, she discovers that Sara wishes Jenny to be her new mother.
This, paired with the evidence of Craig’s connection with the other woman, compels Lana to see that she won’t ever be the first choice and that she deserves better. As such, she part ways with Craig, taking her leave the night before the wedding. The next day, after the magical ceremony—buoyed by the vows that Jenny had written—Meg and Tony get married. Additionally, the reception brings another happy ending as Craig finally confesses his feelings for Meg, starting a new chapter in their lives.
Read More: Winter Castle: Filming Locations and Cast Details
