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The Christmas Contest

YOU GUYS. I did it. WE DID it. Maybe we actually didn’t all do it. But A LOT OF US DID IT. We watched every movie from Thanksgiving week. Are we better for it? Absolutely not. Did it keep me in a constant state of Christmas spirit all week long? I guess. So our final movie of the week of the long awaited CCB film, “The Christmas Contest.” Candance always gets a prime slot, regardless of whether her movies are any good. In fact, I think the last movie of hers I liked was the one where she was a vet in Alaska. I think I kind of liked that one with her and Mutt from Schitt’s Creek as well but I may be the lone voice there. Anyway I have learned by know to not expect anything just because the movie is in a prime time slot. Did it deliver? Let’s find out!

The movie begins with a devastating journey through time as a girl untangles a strand of Christmas lights. This strand is so arduous, it takes nearly her entire childhood to unwind. As an adult, as she decorates the tree with her mom, she is exhausted of untangling lights and declines to do it this year. Ladies, might I suggest A DIFFERENT WAY OF STORING YOUR LIGHTS? Anyway Lara, our leading lady seems a little burnt out.

However, things are going great at work! She gives a speech to her employees and they all laugh at the right times and everything. I assumed it was at a Christmas party but looking back, I’m not sure because the proceeding “Christmas Contest” takes several weeks.

Then we are introduced to Ben, a former professional baseball player, schilling his Christmas themed beef jerky. I mean, I would definitely try it. We quickly get the sense that he will participate in just about any advertising campaign. Ben also has a stubborn old grandma that would rather sit at home and stick to her routine rather than make new friends or find new hobbies.

Lara’s mom volunteers at a local senior center. Lara stops by and her mom tells her that everything is sort of falling apart; literally. The senior center desperately needs some money for repairs, etc…Lara offers to donate some money but her mom is like, bless your heart. We need far more money than you could ever imagine donating, you silly goose. I have a better idea! How about you sign up for a contest hosted by the local news! The winner gets $50,000 to a charity of their choice! That is a way better way to get the necessary funds than like a traditional fundraiser!

All Lara has to do is write a quick essay responding to the prompt, “What is Christmas?” So that’s easy enough. I mean, literally it is easy enough to explain the purpose of Christmas. However, I think what they want the applicants to do is to write what Christmas means to them. Again, easy enough. Except most Hallmark movies live in a world where Christmas is exclusively a secular holiday so I can see why Lara finds herself a little stumped! Somebody tell her!

Meanwhile, Ben is at his at-risk youth baseball camp HQ. He is asked to apply but they can’t guarantee him a spot. He struggles with what to write and asks his grandma for some advice.

The next day, both Ben and Lara learn they’ve been accepted into the contest. Each individual has to have their own “team” name which doesn’t make sense. But whatever. Ben, who’s last name is Winters, chooses “Winters Wonderland” which isn’t too bad. Lara selects “Sleigh the Competition.” It’s all fine. I don’t love it, but it’s fine. There are a few other competitors but who cares about any of them? Oh and did I mention that Ben and Lara know each other? They DATED for four years and I think broke up a decade ago? But they are both still really amped up about it. Anyway, the first event is Christmas Trivia. Ben and Lara know more about Christmas than anyone should know about Christmas. They tie for first place.

The next competition is a gingerbread house contest I think? Or is it just a fancy Christmas desserts? I think that’s right. But it seems like they all made gingerbread things. Also, Lara arrives in a straight up evening gown and designer heels; for the cameras! She tells her boss; definitely not for Ben. Guys, the dress is A LOT even if you are trying to impress an old boyfriend.

 Anyway, they can have teams for this event. Ben enlists his sad little baseball kids. Lara enlists her mom and several elderly women. However, one of them cancels because her daughter is about to have a baby. Oh no. How are they ever going to make that…thing they were supposed to make? Luckily, Ben’s grandma happens to be hanging around the set. Lara asks her to join her team and Ben encourages her to do it! He knows she need some friends. So that’s really nice of him. Later, Ben opens a bag of gumballs like a child and they spill all over the floor. Then, to add insult to injury, he doesn’t bother picking them up. Lara, in her ridiculous heels, slips on one of them and falls on her own gingerbread creation. In spite of this, she is not eliminated.

The next competition is by far the stupidest one and I wish they had just cut that whole bit. I would have even been happy with an obstacle course! Anything but a dumb caroling contest where they all have to do choreographed dances to carols. I mean, guys. It’s so stupid and I HATED IT.

But in the midst of all this competing, there are these little “confessionals” from the contestants. I enjoy them because they’re silly but they 1)repeat every question that’s asked 2) give more insight into themselves. But, would these really be aired on as part of a local news segment? It doesn’t really make sense. But again, I don’t hate it. And, while we also see A LOT of Ben and Lara arguing, we get to see them reconnecting and enjoying each other’s company as well. They eat some kind of insane dessert I need to try for myself and have some profound discussions.

Lara is also going through something with her mom. Despite Lara being in her forties, her mom is still really pushing her to be the best; or at least that’s Lara’s perception. And they have some heated discussions about it. And as I mentioned earlier, Lara is really feeling burnt out at her job. She wants to just quit, which is also a source of contention with her mom.

Ben is going through a little something of his own with his grandma. She is set in her ways like I mentioned and not interested in making friends. But Ben really pushes her and I like that about him. He is also desperately trying to figure out what to get her for Christmas. Ben is also really connecting with the kids in his camp for the first time ever.

Anyway, we get to the final round of competition. The remaining two contestants (Ben and Lara obviously) have to plan a Christmas party and decorate a tree? Do they have to plan it together or two separate parties? I don’t know. This is where the rubber really meets the road. Ben and Lara have a bunch of intense and well written discussions about potentially getting back together that feel genuine and not Hallmark-manufactured. Notably, there is a moment where Ben arrives at Lara’s after playing poker with her mom and some elderly women. He wins and buys them all dinner. He brings a calzone to Lara and she is overwhelmed catching up on work. She said she would rather lay around and stare at the ceiling. So, they do just that. It is a silly, cute scene.

However, things get tricky while Lara and Ben are decorating their trees. Ben tells Lara that he would really like to make his sports camp a year-round program. He wonders if she might want to help run it, knowing that she is not satisfied with her job. This leads to Lara heading straight into her office to quit. However, later, back at decoration HQ, they rehash all the same arguments from when they broke up again, with Ben concluding that Lara would be better off without him. He leaves and Lara totally trashes her own tree.

The next day, Ben and Lara are both miserable. Lara’s mom and the senior center ladies work together to help Ben finish decorating his tree.

Okay, now we are nearing the end of the movie and I my eyes nearly roll out of my head at this point. When it’s time to reveal their trees, Lara announces she is quitting the contest and reveals that her tree is not decorated. I. DO. NOT. UNDERSTAND. This wasn’t about her, this was about raising money for the senior citizen center so WHY would she just bow out at this point? It truly makes no sense at all. She gives a classic end-of-movie-Hallmark-speech and I tune out. Then, Ben also announces HE is not competing either. If I was an eliminated contestant, I would be flipping a table at this point. Ben reveals his own tree and I think it’s all of Lara’s decorations; which, by the way, were 2^nd grade Christmas craft style pictures of her and Ben? Again, I’d be flipping a table. Anyway, the tree is for Lara because she turned his world upside down (like she says about him all the time.) I think at this point they kiss.

Then, we flash ahead to Christmas dinner with Ben, Lara, his grandma and Lara’s mom. Everyone is just having a lovely time together. Ben gives his grandma a gift that he says is from her late husband. Is it from her late husband though? There is even a card from him but I really don’t get it. Or I missed something big. Anyway, it’s the tennis bracelet her husband always “threatened” to buy her. So it’s either sweet or really weird that Ben wrote a card and signed it from his grandpa. That IS weird right? So anyway, that’s the end of this one!

Like I said, this movie was a mixed bag. There were so many STUPID parts of this movie and the premise; well, that’s it’s own whole thing. BUT the conflicts in this movie all seemed really authentic. I felt scared for Lara taking the risk of Ben getting hurt again. Especially since they are going to start dating again AND run a nonprofit together. It’s A LOT. I don’t know that they can make it. You know I hate when couples do this sort of thing. If we are comparing CCB movies against themselves, this one was certainly better than last year’s. I am truly DYING to know what you all thought of this one though.

Guys, they really did it again this year. They really made a FOURTH TIME FOR SOMEONE TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS MOVIE. Why? Honestly though, I don’t think I’ve hated any of the versions I’ve seen. Well, maybe last year’s. I can’t remember. I think last year the “mystery” was just boring. I am just angry on principle at this point. But you know what? I didn’t hate this iteration AT ALL. In fact, I found it to be kind of a lovely road trip movie with a surprise Allison Sweeney cameo. (Spoiler alert: I was delighted to find out that she married the guy from her movie and also that she just said “croissant” the American way.) Okay let’s dive in.

The movie begins with our leading lady (who we later discover is named “Rebecca”) sitting alone at a diner with her suitcase. She looks sadly at a newspaper clipping and has a sad piece of pie by herself. After that, she starts walking in the blustery snow towards her hotel. It seems like she is straight up walking in the middle of the street on a bridge so it’s a surprise to no one that a car hits her and she…falls over the bridge into the water?! I mean that is a pretty intense fall to survive! Anyway, when she wakes up in the hospital she has NO memory of who she is. This is an interesting case of amnesia because she seems to remember things like social norms (later she knows she’s not married because she’s not wearing a ring) but has no personal memories whatsoever.

Meanwhile, our leading man, Paul, is dealing with his own thing, including listening to a voicemail from his brother in his car. He offers to cover the rest of his co workers’ shift and then she and another pal offer to cover the week of Christmas so he can go home. Anyway, I think because he stays, he ends up helping out with Rebecca’s situation. Several days pass and nothing seems to jog her memory. No one seems to be looking for her either. The only lead they have is the newspaper clipping, which she left at the diner. The clipping advertises a Tree Lighting in Charleston, South Carolina. Her current location is Maine.

After a week of no memories coming back and no leads about who she might be, Rebecca asks to be released from the hospital. Honestly with no insurance or identification, wouldn’t they have kicked her out as soon as she was stable? However here, no one wants her to leave because she doesn’t have anywhere to go and no way to get anywhere. Luckily? Paul offers to drive her to Charleston on his way to see his family in Georgia. No one has any objections so that is all settled. The nurses put together a care package for Rebecca which is so sweet. They give her clothes and money. Also, since no one knows her name at this point, everyone is calling her Jane.

They hit the road and Paul has the whole thing mapped out. Is anyone surprised when Blake Shelton’s “It’s Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas” comes on the radio? Paul turns it off because he said it hits too close to home for him. Rebecca gets to snooping and opens his glove box. Inside is a gift for Paul’s brother, Ben of voicemail fame. Instead of staying at the nearest hotel to a freeway exit, they decide to stay at a nearly empty Bed and Breakfast their first night. Rebecca looks through the items the nurses gave her and discovers a cute pair of snowflake earrings. This causes her to have her first memory! A flash to arguing with someone named Mark as she storms out of a house.  They end up watching a Christmas movie together.

The next morning, Paul wants to hit the road right away. However, they decide they better help this poor B&B owner decorate her tree instead. This is why you stay in a hotel! This woman was feeling sad this year because her husband recently passed away. So, I guess it’s a good thing they were there.

Paul is having a really hard time finding a place for them to stay the second night. Instead of just going to hotels.com or kayak or any number of websites that show you every hotel in town, Paul is asking local townsfolk for “leads.” What year is it!? And where are they eating lunch? Why aren’t they driving through McDonalds or Subway like normal people on a roadtrip? Anyway, Paul finally decides to ask his cousin if he can stay with him. He seems to be reluctant to do so.

When they arrive, Paul’s cousin says some weird things to him like, “I understand why you did what you did. Nobody blames you for it.” What now? And his wife thinks Paul and Rebecca are a couple. I don’t know what time they arrived but they are there in time for dinner and they are also there in time for a CASUAL CAMPBELL SOUP AD. The ad continues at dinner when everyone is just losing their minds over the scalloped potatoes. Rebecca just opened the can! I mean, I am probably going look up that recipe so who am I to make fun? It worked didn’t it? Then, the conversation turns somber when we realize that Paul’s brother Ben died earlier that year. Paul didn’t make it home for Christmas last year because he didn’t want to see his brother like that. And he’s felt guilty ever since. Paul’s cousin and his pregnant wife plan to name their son after him. I do feel like maybe they should let Paul have the opportunity to do that but obviously Paul is years away from such a possibility and we can’t just save names forever.

The next morning, Rebecca offers to drive and has she gleefully opens the door, she has another memory! I think this is another one of her arguing with “Mark” but I can’t quite remember myself! This jars her and she decides to let Paul continue driving. On the drive, she tells Paul she remembers about this person named Mark, but she doesn’t know who he is to her.

Also, despite being in a hurry, these people stop at a Christmas festival for lunch. They have time to fully sit down and chat and then DANCE to CHRISTMAS MUSIC. Geez Louise people let’s just get there already. Unfortunately, when they get to the car, it won’t start. I was just starting to think how lovely it was that nothing was really going wrong. The mechanic is reluctant to take a look at the car because it’s Christmas Eve. They plead with him and he agrees. He tells them to come back in an hour. Outside, they see a dog! Upon delivering the dog to its house, we learn he belongs to none other than Allison Sweeney. I forget what her character’s name is. But it’s nice to know that these stories all belong in the Blake Shelton Cinematic Universe. She is so grateful that they’ve returned her dog that she gives them some croissants and she doesn’t even pronounce them in a pretentious way. It is such a relief.

Meanwhile, the sheriff in Covington, Maine is still trying to track down some information for Rebecca. They eventually find her suitcase and inside is her laptop and a little girl’s sweater. Rebecca is shocked by this. Like, how could she forget if she was a mother? (Her thoughts, not mine.) While they wait, Paul hands her the beautifully wrapped tin of croissants. Seeing the ribbon gives her another memory. All of her memories seem to be from the same evening. This time, she is happily arriving at Mark’s house with a gift and he calls her “Rebecca.” She is elated to remember her name! But she and Paul both wonder if this Mark person is her “special friend.” Then the auto shop calls. These silly gooses. It was just the battery! Wow they could have saved so much time. Anyway, they are back on the road again.

Paul’s car must be capable of bending space and time because they actually make it to the tree lighting in Charleston in time. Paul promises to wait for her for a little bit. Mark approaches her and is so glad to see her. He hugs her. Then a little girl approaches and hugs her. Paul sees this and thinks it’s a happy little family reunion and leaves. Then, a sassy woman approaches and is like, HOW DARE YOU.

Suddenly all of Rebecca’s memories come back. The angry woman is her sister Annie. Mark is Annie’s husband and Casey is her daughter. She runs to find Paul but he’s gone. Then we get to see the whole memory Rebecca was seeing flashes of. She and her sister had a huge fight last Christmas about Rebecca quitting her job to write full time. Annie wanted to make sure they could split the cost of their parents’ care. I’m not sure what is wrong with her parents but they seem to be in poor health and are not part of the memories or Christmas or anything. Rebecca was still mad at her sister and was not planning to see them but Mark invited her to just show up at the tree lighting behind Annie’s back. Instead, Rebecca was going to spend Christmas alone in Maine. The girls eventually make up. Back up in her room, Rebecca finds a card from Paul so she decides to go find him.

Paul meanwhile has made it to see his sister-in-law and his brother’s grave. Both are touching moments that I won’t relay in extensive detail here. Anyway, Rebecca finds him at the only hotel in his town and fills him in on everything. He is visibly relieved to learn that Mark is her brother-in-law. So, they KISS and then she invites him to her family’s Christmas party. So at this point, is it STILL CHRISTMAS EVE? Like how far away are they? How is he coming to their Christmas party? How many hours are in a day? Whatever. They make it to the Christmas party and everyone is just so happy about all of it.

Thus ends (hopefully) the “Time for whomstever” to come home series? I mean, let’s just call the movies something else. Let’s call the “Godwink” movies something else too while we’re at it. But I did actually quite enjoy the movie and I felt like the whole “mystery” who she really was paid off! In my opinion, that rarely happens in Hallmark “mystery” movies. So I thought this was a lovely little movie over all. What did you think?

Well here we go again, am I right? I was kind of mildly excited for this movie because of the potential for Lake Tahoe Christmas vibes. I love a good mountain lodge Christmas movie. But other than that I kept my expectations low and my attention span short for this one. Let’s get after it.

Claire is a busy hotel manager at a very fancy resort in Lake Tahoe. I believe it’s called “The Inn on the Lake.” SO CLEVER. As she walks, she interrupts several conversations like she knows every guest in the place. I’ve never experienced such a chipper hotel manager in my life. Oh, and George Lopez is there. Also, Pat Monahan from Train is there. I DIDN’T HATE THEM IN THIS MOVIE. Anyway, Claire is accosted by a silly goose of a hotel guest who wants to use her “Star Rewards” for all sorts of things at this hotel. The only problem is that those are points for a different hotel chain. I love the whole bit and it is not the last time she does it.

Claire stops into her dad’s office. He owns the whole hotel. He runs through the list of Christmas activities happening at the resort this year and she has a pun for each one. It’s a lot. Her dad is like, hey you’re spending QUITE a bit of time on our Christmas Eve Variety show. So what’s that about? And she’s like, I’m just really passionate about Christmas themed variety shows, Dad.

Soon, we learn WHY she’s focusing so much on the variety show. She is hoping to attract the attention of a big Las Vegas resort and would like to run THEIR variety show. It seems to be working because she receives a call from their manager or CEO or whatever and says that if the show goes well, they’ll likely want to hire her. She’s elated. She turns to the first person she says, Pat; I mean Jackson. She’s like, can you keep a secret? And he’s like, No. And I love him for that. She tells him anyway. He is a little surprised that she’d want to leave her family’s resort and like, live in Las Vegas but otherwise he’s happy for her.

We also learn that she USED to manage a pretty big “rock” band who’s biggest hit is an original Christmas song. Sure, Jan. The band is called “Wild Lynx.” I’ve put up with a lot of silly band names but I don’t know if I can get behind this one, especially considering these boys look like a preppier version of Hanson. The only grungy part about them seems to be the lead singer’s commitment to “training” his hair to wash it less. WE ALL NOTICE. Anyway, they have a tense meeting at a local radio station and seemingly announce they’re all home for Christmas in Lake Tahoe. They are taking some MUCH NEEDED time off.

Later some night in the future; or that same night; who knows? Claire hears that famous Christmas song and rolls her eyes. Then, she sees her old pal Ryan getting attacked by adoring fans. She doesn’t want to run into him so she hides in some sort of tent. Unfortunately, Ryan, desperate to get away from said adoring fans, choses that same location to hide as well. Claire is shocked to see him. He tells her he’s home for the holidays.

Things take a turn for the worst for ol Claire bear when she arrives home. Her mom tells her that they are basically doing every Christmas activity with Ryan and his family since the parents are best friends. This includes a Christmas concert featuring Ryan’s niece. BUT MOM! That’s my ex-boyfriend. Isn’t a little rude to expect me to hang out with him? Nobody seems to care about that.

So, at some point in the future, the whole crew goes to watch this niece’s performance. Ryan’s parents are the exact same set of parents we saw in “An Unexpected Christmas.” FUN. Anyway, Claire and Ryan end up sitting together and reminiscing about programs of Christmas past. After the show, Claire inexplicably apologizes to this child for ruining the show. I rewound it a couple times and I cannot figure out why she has to apologize? Anyway, it is so bad that she ends up giving all the kids free tubing passes.

Shortly thereafter, her big variety show starts falling apart. Her big headliner gets sick and has to cancel. Soon, several other acts cancel because the headliner can’t come. In short, it’s a disaster. So, she decides she needs to bite the bullet and ask the Wild Lynx for a favor.

In what MUST be the same kitchen from Maya’s parents’ in Gingerbread Miracle, Claire catches Ryan coming back from his first run in a year. Without any earmuffs of anything! She asks if he wants to take a walk. He’s like, but I just kind of got done doing that…only way faster. But Okay.

He immediately says no but only because the band is not speaking! It seems that no one else’s hair training is going quite as well as their lead singer so they’ve all been arguing. Also, Ryan wants to slow down on touring and write more songs. Alistair? Is that the lead singer’s name? Alistair really wants to maintain their aggressive schedule. So, they’re not speaking. BUT he promises to help her find more performers.

At this point, Claire seems to abandon all other hotel duties as she focuses solely on saving this variety show. I never see ANY of the activities her father mentions at the beginning of the movie. She and Ryan scroll through social media to see who’s in town for the holidays. They discover that a famous comedian is in town. Wouldn’t she LOVE to spend Christmas Eve working?

After getting a really quick rejection from her agent, the pair of them concoct a silly little idea to pretend to be wait staff to sneak into this comedienne’s room and convince her themselves. Ryan and Jackson do this great talking in code bit and figure out what room she’s in.

They arrive at her room fully prepared to convince her. However, she is quite a mess when they arrive. She’s just been dumped by her boyfriend. After a lovely heart to heart with Claire, this woman recognizing Ryan and realizes what they’re up to. In spite of all that, she agrees to headline the show. She also gives them a random “stocking stuffer” on their way out.

Later, at the joint family white elephant gift exchange, we discover that this “stocking stuffer” is actually a gift certificate for Botox and all the ladies want it. I find this to be amusing. After this little party, Claire discovers that a famous acapella band is playing in Reno. She decides to ask them to participate in the variety show as well. After some additional sneakiness, Ryan and Claire manage to talk THIS band into giving up their Christmas plans as well. I think Claire offers to fly ALL OF THEIR FAMILIES OUT AND PUT THEM UP AT THE RESORT. I mean, what are we talking here? That is an insane amount of money to offer. Anyway, they obviously agree.

At some point, Claire discovers that Jackson is an aspiring musician and has been leaving work early to play at some open mic nights. Somehow, he ends up in the variety show as well.

Ryan has his own Christmas miracle after he and the Wild Lynx boys work out their issues. They let Ryan take some time off to focus on writing but agree he can rejoin whenever. Oh, and he’s going to live in Lake Tahoe. The band also agrees to participate in the variety show. So, things are really shaping up nicely for ol Claire.

Then, the manager or whoever from that big Vegas resort arrives for the show. Claire’s dad just happens to overhear that he’s come to the resort JUST to see the variety show. He asks Claire what that’s all about and she finally has to tell him what she’s been up to. She reiterates that her passion has always been variety show planning, not hotel management. He is mostly sad that she didn’t just tell him in the first place. I THINK. I don’t quite remember.

Finally, it’s the night we’ve all been waiting for. The comedienne does her silly little Christmas themed stand up. Jackson sings a song I’ve decided I LOVE and I wish they would have shown the whole thing. The acapella group sings too and I would have liked to see more of that. And finally, Jackson teams up with the Wild Lynx boys to sing one last song. I like that one too! The show is a big hit.

After the show, Claire’s dad tells her that if she wants to focus on making their resort an entertainment destination comparable to Las Vegas, he has her support. That big Las Vegas resort wants her too though! So she is in quite a pickle. Ultimately, she decides to stay in Lake Tahoe and she and Ryan kiss and presumably get back together! So everyone wins I guess.

Guys, this was another perfectly fine movie. I am a little tired of the “let’s scramble to put together an event that would normally take several months of planning” because it makes the whole movie seem chaotic and unrealistic but that’s the world we live in. I would have LOVED to see more of the Christmas activities Claire’s dad mentioned in the beginning of the movie. And I would have liked more Lake Tahoe winter activities! Actually a Lake Tahoe themed winter movie would be fun. But yeah this movie was centered around this silly variety show instead. I was also expecting Laura Osnes to sing and she didn’t. Isn’t that sort of a waste? Anyway, it was fine. What did you think?

Guys. I was SHOCKED when I heard all the buzz about this movie. The title alone. I was like, are we for real? This is a long awaited sequel? A movie about cats? A second movie about cats? What are we all doing here! But, lucky for ALL of us, a fellow Hallmark movie reviewer was willing to share his take on my page. Our guest reviewer today is Brandon VanWaeyenberghe. Brandon lives in Duluth, Minnesota and is the Executive Director of the local symphony orchestra. He has a really creative approach to his Hallmark reviews. He wisely watches these movies while he exercises. While he has always had a soft spot for Hallmark movies, last year, he decided to combine his passions of Christmas and fitness by running on a treadmill to all 23 new Hallmark movies in 2020.  This year, his goal is to either run or row to the 31 new movies.  His dog Barley is his (unwilling) companion, and you can follow his journey at @bveedub on Instagram. Honestly, this is what I should be doing. Why haven’t I just set my Echelon on scenic route and peddled away? This changes now. Anyway, we are all in for a REAL TREAT; and me most of all since I didn’t have to watch this movie. Read all the way to end for Brandon’s own review of the movie! He posts these on his Instagram page for every movie as well! Let’s dive in!

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So, the “Nine Kittens of Christmas,” or the “Nine Kittens for the Holiday” is a continuation of the 2014 movie “Nine Lives of Christmas.”  You do not need to know about the prior movie to jump into this one, but after watching the entire movie, I think some context would have been helpful.  It certainly would have established some of the characters and their motivations in a complete fashion.

Zachary (Brandon Routh) is a fireman in Bend, Oregon, who is planning his now annual tradition of a ski trip with the guys.  His fellow fire people joke around with him about his trip, obviously avoiding talking about the impetus behind this annual departure.  Zach’s boss, Fire Chief Sam (Gregory Harrison) sets Zach up to play an important part in the annual fundraiser.  Zach’s cat Ambrose is getting in the way of the fire people, to cute effect. Cut to Marilee (Kimberley Sustad) in her vet’s office in Miami, Florida.  The camera lingers on a picture of the late cat Queenie, a reference to other movie.  Marilee is preparing to go home to Bend to spend time with her family, and her boyfriend and co-owner of the vet client Miles says he will join her as soon as he can.  There is even some great interaction with Miles given Marilee a cat toy for the flight instead of to her new cat Dutchess.

Marilee arrives home to join her sister Jaclyn (Stephanie Bennett) and her daughter Sierra (Linden McMillan).  All three of them open an advent calendar left by their late mother, which contains a single charm.  More on that later.  While walking around town, Marilee backwards runs into Zach, which we discover is her ex from the first movie and that the broke up 3 years ago, which caused Marilee to move (or maybe?  The movie does not include a solid timeline about their relationship.)  Zach is an elf costume for some community event and Marilee tells Jacyln that Zach did not change so she had to leave him and town.

Right before Zach is scheduled to leave for a ski trip, he goes by the fire station to drop off his cat. That’s when he discovers a box of nine kittens has been left outside the fire station. Again don’t know who would leave a box of 10 week old kittens in front of the fire station instead of a veterinary clinic, but you needed something to obviously propel the characters together, and in this movie it’s all about the cats. In a weird twist of fate, the town’s only veterinarian has just retired [weird timing, right?]. In wandering down the street and looking for someone to take care of the kittens, Zach runs into Merilee and they both agree to work together to find all of them homes before Christmas.

Fire Chief Sam and his wife, while sidewalk shopping, decided to adopt two kittens after promoted by Zach.  Chief Sam later tells Zach that he is going to retire after the Christmas fundraiser, and the kittens will help him and his wife start a new life.  Meanwhile, young Sierra jumps at the opportunity to demonstrate that she can care for pets, offering to make socks for the kittens and naming them after all eight reindeer and Rudolph (no shiny nose).  Chief Sam take Zach out for coffee to discuss his retirement and asks to name him as his successor.  Zach is unsure about the role, so he will later ask Marilee who confirms in him that he is a good man, and would be perfect for the job, all while giving him some romantic eye contact.

In an effort to help get the kittens adopted, Zach and Marilee pair up to bring them to various events around town.  It includes a lovely reconnection with Ambrose and Marilee.  In the supermarket, where apparently, they met for the first time Marilee mentions Brandon has been called a superhero.  This is a subtle shout out to his time as Superman and appearances on “Legends of Tomorrow” on the CW.” Over some coffee brainstorming, they have the brilliant idea to host a pop-up cat café at a local coffee shop.  The pair of Zach and Marilee appear to be moving emotionally closer as the number of available cats decrease.  Marilee’s family encourages her to go with Zach to a choir practice, where a very surprised (and quite possibly only) chorus member agrees to take the last three kittens.  Tension is in the air as both Zach and Marilee realize now they have no more excuses to spend time together.

One of the two B story plots (along with the advent calendar) is the retirement of Fire Chief Sam.  After mulling over getting him a memorial bench, golf clubs and a scooter (huh?), rookie Gabi (Victoria Dunsmore) has the great idea to refinish an old fire truck that Sam had purchased several years ago.  It is a Christmas miracle that they were able to refinish the truck in only three days, but I am sure a group of 12 firefights in Bend, Oregon can work around the clock to do their outgoing boss proud one last time.

When Zach and Marilee start dropping off kittens, the chorus lady now cannot take in cats as she has just rescued another set of kittens.  Red flags should have gone up when it was learned that chorus lady has her own cat rescue, but hey, no problem.  Now the pair is in the movies first of two crisis points of the movie to get these kittens adopted by Christmas.  After decorating Sam’s Christmas tree during the home visit, Zach invites Marilee to the fire station in a few hours.  Marilee goes and finds that Zach has printed up a new banner advertising the kittens posted on the side of the restored fire truck.  Marilee aggressively kisses Zach, and then runs away.  The movie cuts to both of them talking over the situation to their respective cats and wrestling with their feelings for each other.  As someone who often talks to my dog Barley, I get that talking out issues can really help.  Barley declines to talk back.

At the Christmas Fundraiser, Marilee walks in a green dress (picked by her cat) and makes Zach speechless.  Following his announcement as the new Fire Chief, Zach dances with Marilee and starts to finally share his feelings for her.  And then, the second crisis point arrives in Bend, Oregon as Miles, Marilee’s ex-boyfriend of only a few days makes a grand gesture to come in person and convince her to stay with him.  They go outside and talk, and Zach sees them through the window, where Sierra tells him they an item (“Do you know that guy?” “Only from their Christmas card.”  Marilee tells Miles honestly that she belongs home with her family, and Zach walks out of the party.

Now for some cat intervention! Despondent and at home, Marilee is talking with Dutchess, who pulls her phone out of her purse to make her call Zach one more time.  Zach is at home wondering if he should pick up the call when Ambrose steps on the phone and answers the call.  Zach listens and Marilee pours her heart out to him.  The next morning Marilee tells her sister that she is staying in town and renting the retired vet’s space.  They open the final advent calendar box and find a wreath, indicative of the ones Marilee and Jaclyn’s mom used to make friends at the holidays.  Sierra is gifted two of the remaining three cats and promised to take great care of them.  Zach shows up in the restored fire truck (is Sam just letting anyone drive his new ride?) and tells Marilee he has found a home for Rudolph, a nice couple.  Zach drives Marilee to his house and confesses his love for her.  While Marilee clutches the kitten, Zach asks her to adopt Rudolph with him and then proposed to her.

Overall, I thought this was a fine movie and appreciated the acting, especially by Brandon Routh.  However, the whole proposal after 7 days, even with a previous relationship, felted hurried.  And maybe all three of the cats cannot get along – was anyone thinking about their needs? 

What did you think about the movie?  Did you have the same feelings about the ending?

—

Movie # 16 – Nine Lives of Holidays (or Nine Kittens of Christmas)

Synopsis: Ex’s Zachary and Marilee come back together again to rescue and rehome nine kittens left at a fire station, while both grasping at what needs to change in their lives.

Rowing Distance: 15,176 meters (9.43 miles) [First complete movie while rowing]

Total Time: 1:20:28

Pace per 500m:  2:39

Hot Take:  This movie is a sequel to 2014’s Nine lives of Christmas.  You do not need to see the original to understand the sequel.  This move is abundantly cute – mean it has 11 cats in it!  Brandon Routh (one-time Superman) plays a great lead, and fumbles at all the right times with his ex-girlfriend Marilee.  Pretty early on Marilee dumps her Miami boyfriend and focused on reconnecting with Zach, but even a grand gesture from Miles to arrive at the town fundraiser does not save him.  The movie is certainly not a typical Hallmark story – it acknowledges the first movie romance did not work and created a scenario to drive the two back together.  However, {SPOILER} to end the movie with a proposal after maybe a week of reconnecting is a bit forced, even if they have an extensive backstory.  He does not even know if she is going to stay in town {she is} or if their cats will get along {maybe}.

Sub-Romance:  None

Tropes Used:  Christmas Tree Decorating, Fundraising for Charity at Christmas

Really Odd Moment:  The slow-motion bundt cake decorating scene.  There was just no need for it.

Best Joke:  “I tell my cat everything.  What I spend on cat food I save on therapy!”

Really… REALLY?:  The pair open a makeshift cat cafe in a coffee shop with food.  I am pretty sure that is against health code violations.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Bookstore Cats (living at a Coffee Shop)

Happy December 1st, gang! Whew. You guys. Is anyone else WORN OUT from these dang movies? I will say that usually Hallmark slips in a few absolutely atrocious movies during Thanksgiving week but that hasn’t been the case so far this weekend. BUT I still have three more movies to watch so maybe I shouldn’t hold my breath. How are you guys? Are you hanging in there? Keeping up? Or giving up? Can we all agree to NOT do this next year? To just have the standard 4 movies for that weekend so we can all just do fun Christmas things with our families? Yes? Okay great. Let’s dive in to this one.

Brook and Morgan are silly gooses. They are also waitresses for an event planning business in New York. However, they get fired when their grouchy boss, Paige overhears them complaining. Back at home, they realize they are basically at the beginning of the classic Christmas film, “Dumb and Dumber.” They have no jobs, no food… AND THEIR PETS’ HEADS ARE FALLING OFF. So, they decide to finally use their dad’s money to visit his homeland of Ireland.

We also meet our leading man, Aiden. He is an Earl and has returned home, to a literal castle, after a lengthy absence. His sister, Siobhan, is not happy with him because he’s left her with all castle managing duties and she doesn’t even get a title.

I am not sure how much time passes but soon they are in Ireland being the most annoyingly obvious tourists on the planet. They giggle and shriek over every dang thing they see. Instead of using a traditional ancestry website (maybe they were scared off after watching A Christmas Family TREE) they decide to just wander the pubs to see if anyone knows their family. They quickly chat up the owner of one pub and tell them their story. Unfortunately for the girls, their dad’s birth name, “O’Reilly” is one of the most common last names in the country. She tells them that’s her last name along with half the patrons of the bar. Grouchy Aiden is sitting at the bar, who can’t help but overhear their giggling and shrieking, rudely asks if they’re here looking for a leprechaun. The bar owner suggests the girls go on a tour of the local castle.

The girls decide to do the tour but quickly find it too boring to continue. Brooke compares “Earlships” to “Spaceships” and we all wonder if maybe she should take a quick lap and reset. They decide to check out a cute outdoor Christmas market, which is where they should have been all along. While there, Brooke runs into Aiden again and tells him how boring the tour was. For some reason, he invites the girls to a private tour of the castle the following day.

The girls take him up on his offer and arrive on their ridiculous cruisers. Inside, they must be waiting a while because Brooke REALLY has to go to the bathroom. Naturally, they head UPSTAIRS to find one. They run into Aiden and Siobhan. The encounter is less awkward than I expected. Aiden gives Brooke incredibly complicated directions to the bathroom and she bolts. So, the remaining three make small talk. Brooke and Morgan have already decided to pretend they’re big event planners while on vacation so Morgan really plays it up when Aiden asks what they do. This plan is unfortunate because Aiden and Siobhan NEED an event planner for their big Christmas party. The siblings ask Morgan if they’d be willing to plan the event last minute. Morgan agrees on the spot. When Siobhan asks if they have a website the rubber really meets the road. Brooke returns to discover that her name is “Paige Monahan.” You know, the name of the woman who fired them recently? So this is going to go well. Anyway, there must not be any photos of Paige on that website because they have no additional questions for these two.

No one bothers with any tax documents or contracts or anything. Let’s just get on with the party planning! Obviously, the girls will need to stay IN the castle for this so Aiden goes with them to get their belongings. He is shocked at the current lodgings. In contrast, the girls are over the moon about their NEW set up. How are they not on edge every moment of the day at this point?

Anyway, they’ve got to get right down to business. First, they meet with the Duchess. I am not sure if this is Aiden and Siobhan’s mom or what. I missed that. Anyway, she wants a REALLY fancy party and will spare no expense. Did I mention that they’ve got nothing planned and the party is in less than two weeks? Why are people always doing that? How are they not starting the planning immediately following each year’s event? This is so dumb. But anyway, the stakes are HIGH. And Brooke has to call herself Paige going forward.

They decide to start with decorations. Obviously every rental company is totally booked. Aiden knows one place that does Christmas decorations but he doubts they’d be interested in helping since the Earl’s family stopped inviting the locals to the party. But BROOKE is very clever and is able to sweet talk this man into loaning them a Christmas Tree sculpture for the display.

So they’re all on track there. Morgan is wearing the cutest sweater and tells Brooke she got all the plates and that sort of thing. So they are just really cooking. They still need a caterer and obviously some other things.

Somehow or another, a caterer in Dublin finds out that “Paige” is planning a party and would love to work with her. That’s right. Party Planners are internationally renowned. Maybe they really are. What do I know? So, Aiden offers to drive Brooke to Dublin. Brooke suggests Aiden wait in the car. Brooke wisely introduces herself as an employee for Paige and the caterer is stoked to work at the event.

Meanwhile, a reporter is snooping around the event prep site, hoping for a chance to interview Paige. She knows her from all the reporting she does of parties. Morgan calls Brooke to warn her not to come back anytime soon. So, Brooke stalls their return from Dublin by stopping at a restaurant. That reporter is STILL there after they are done so Brooke suggests more sightseeing. Aiden takes her to a church. I remember NOTHING about why this church is significant or why Aiden wanted to show it to her. But they have a deep conversation while they’re there. I believe it is at this point where Aiden invites the girls to the Christmas Tree Lighting that evening.

Brooke worries about whether she looks nice because now she’s interested in Aiden.

The girls do also genuinely want to see if they can find their dad’s family. Morgan spends some quality time with the Duchess who seems to know everything about everyone in town. Morgan has a surprising amount of details for her. More than I expected, anyway.

While Morgan is doing that work, Brooke continues to get close to Aiden. He tries to tell her he has feelings for her but she panics because obviously she’s living a lie.

Things finally reach a boiling point when this pesky reporter finally just calls Paige at…a spa? And asks to interview her. Paige is like, wait what? Then that night, the caterer and the reporter catch Brooke in her lie. The caterer doesn’t want to risk the possibility of working with the real Paige and decides to back out of the event.

After telling the siblings the bad news, Brooke wants to come clean about the whole scheme. Morgan convinces her they need to see it through. It DOES NOT take much to convince her, obviously. So they keep plugging away. They decide to ask the pub owner where it all began to cater the event. So that’s great.

Brooke also half-heartedly tries to tell Aiden the truth a few times, including while they’re randomly baking some Irish Christmas item. It’s not great. After Aiden tells her his feelings AGAIN, she flees to her room to discover that Aiden has selected a variety of dress options for her to wear to the party.

It’s time for the party and everything is going really well. These silly geese actually pulled it off! Is anyone just a tiny bit surprised that they did it? The Duchess loves it and she loves the fun little Riverdance surprise at the end. I cant remember if they allowed the townspeople to attend? But anyway, the party is a hit and maybe now the castle will have the funds to continue operating? I’m not really sure. BUT as expected, right as Brooke is finally ready to tell Aiden the truth, the real Paige Monahan comes bursting through the door and she is MAD. She threatens the girls up and down with all kinds of things before the Duchess finally intervenes. She says what we’re all thinking-the girls actually did pull off a great party so who cares if they name dropped to get the contract? So that kind of puts everyone in their place. BUT it is too much for Aiden to bear in terms of their personal relationship, so he leaves.

However, he DOES repair his relationship with Siobhan. She tells him that in spite of everything, having Brooke and Morgan there really helped them and they were integral in their relationship healing. She encourages Aiden to give Brooke another chance. But he doesn’t have long to think about it because then Brooke shows up! They have a long chat that I don’t listen to and they KISS.

At some point in the future, the Duchess takes the whole gang to this house in the country. As it turns out, the Duchess figures out who the girls’ family is and they meet their uncle for the first time! It’s really lovely. And guess who their uncle is married to? Their pal from the bar! They all are so happy and no one unexpectedly tears up after this scene. And that’s it!

This one was not the worst Royal Hallmark movie. I liked that it was an actual position within the British monarchy and not some made up European prince visiting America for the holidays in some sort of “Prince and the Pauper” scenario. I would have liked a few more Irish Christmas vibes if I’m being honest. Also did anyone notice some familiar street shots? Just me? Anyway, guys there are still THREE MOVIES LEFT from the weekend at this point. What did you think?

Making Spirits Bright

Well we are just chugging along aren’t we? Did I mention that I didn’t really get to watch a single one of these over the weekend. But can I say that it’s just too many movies on a weekend you are supposed to spend with your family? I mean, I tried to get my Hallmark loving family to watch just one and no one was interested. But we did so many fun things that I wasn’t really complaining. That’s just how it is. This year, I have really been feeling the strain of just watching all these movies. I love them, but sometimes it really feels like a chore to watch them all and like, not miss out on the actual season. So since this is all just a made up hobby of mine, I get to decide what I want to do with it. And today, I watched this movie while I caught up from being on vacation! So it will be little shorter because we’re just going from my memory. Let’s get after it.

Grace and her best friend own a home staging company. It seems like Grace’s partner is a bit of a large personality and just steamrolls over all of Grace’s decorating choices. It also seems like this actress either doesn’t talk loud enough or clear enough because like 90% of her dialogue is ADR. Anyway, after they finish setting up this particular house, Grace heads home for Christmas.

She is waylaid however, by a truck stuck in the snow. They make a few references to town names that suggest they are in Virginia. A place where the entire state shuts down when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. It really does not snow. But this is a Hallmark movie so we have to just go with it. Anyway, Grace stops and realizes the man is an old friend of hers, Tony. She gets him out of the snowbank with some Girl Scout survival skills and they are both on their way.

They both are heading to see their dad. Tony is helping his dad decorate a house for Christmas and laments to his sister that business is down again this year. Meanwhile, Grace overhears that her dad’s store may be closing. Grace’s parents talk about competing in the town’s annual exterior lighting competition. I actually forget now what it’s called. It might be “Bright Lights?” Is that right? Anyway, they are reviewing pictures of their past work to submit as their application for this year’s contest.

Tony wants his dad to enter the contest too but he had a bad experience several years back and hasn’t participated since. But Tony really thinks it would be good for them or their family or whatever.

That night, they all run into each other in town. We learn a little more about the family conflict. The two dads ran a Christmas lighting business years ago and had a MAJOR falling out and now don’t speak at all. There’s also a hilarious little exchange where Tony’s nephew pretends to be his son to embarrass him in front of Grace.

I think this is also the time where they all submit their applications for the lighting competition. One of their competitors, Wade, is TRULY one of the wackiest Hallmark characters we’ve seen to date. He uses a lot of “fancy technology” on his houses so they look…ultra-modern or something?

Anyway, they all find out shortly thereafter that they will all get to compete. How many exterior lighting companies can one town support? The winner gets the contract for the city’s municipal buildings the following year plus a $50,000 cash prize. Can the city really choose their contractor this way? Absolutely not. But I guess if they’ve already decided they’re going to spend $25,000 no matter what, it probably doesn’t matter. OF COURSE IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Anyway, there are very strict time-based rules for the competition, like they can only work from 9 AM to 6PM and can only test their lights once it gets dark. They also call the houses they’re decorating “Deck Houses” which I don’t understand. Also, how does one get to be the house that is decorated totally for free? Or do the houses pay to participate? That’s a good idea.

Anyway, Tony and Grace keep running into each other and chatting and catching up on the past. They are both dissatisfied with their work and lives thus far. Tony has his MBA but hasn’t been able to find a job. They talk about him going to a “big school in Arlington” and again, if we’re talking about Virginia I don’t know WHAT they mean. To my knowledge, there is no “big college” there. And then they specifically mention Boston University so what are we doing here?

The viewer can also come to realize that the crux of the dads’ disagreement is very similar to that of Chris and Joe in “Christmas CEO.” Tony’s dad wants to make beautiful lighting displays regardless of whether they are cost effective and even if it means they have to turn down other jobs. Grace’s dad wants to run a profitable business that can support both of their families. So, they really could make a great team if they could just you know, combine their super powers.

Grace learns from her mom that her dad’s business is failing. He got over ambitious and expanded his store and it is not profitable. He is operating his business at a loss at this point. After finding out that their mothers have been secretly been friends this entire time, Grace and Tony decide to join forces to inspect her dad’s books.

Both families make it past the preliminary round of Christmas light decorating. Because this lighting competition is multiple rounds. This is after Tony’s dad decided to take all his lights down and start over so the icicle lights can look like they’re melting. Uh. What a nightmare.

 The stakes are quite high because Wade…or is it Gabe? The wackiest person in all the land, has some big plans. I think his name is actually Gabe. Anyway, his Christmas displays are so impressive, he gets interviewed on the local news. How can Tony and Grace’s family compete with that?

At some point, both families start to realize they just cannot compete against Gabe/Wade. Grace wonders if they should join forces. Tony agrees. So, they miraculously convince their dads. And they’re in! Grace drew a beautiful design that everyone loves. BUT they don’t have much time.

However, old wounds do not heal quickly and right after agreeing to work together, the dads take shots at each other AGAIN. It’s tough to watch.

Now, I can’t remember if this is before or after the families team up, but Grace gets a phone call from her business partner. The television producer, for whom they staged a home at the beginning of this movie, invited them to his Christmas party. They are interested in creating a show about the girls’ business. Grace wonders if they should prepare a pitch, but the friend, in what I believe to be a rare moment without ADR, says it’s just a party so that is unnecessary.

However, at the Christmas party, Grace’s partner blurts out an entire pitch for a show which is NEWS to Grace. To be fair, Grace, I’ve seen the show she’s pitching. I’ve seen several thousand iterations of the show she’s pitching so it’s not NEW. But this is the last straw for Grace, so she decides to leave. Poor Tony, who drove her after she lent her keys to her mom, didn’t even get a chance to start his drink.

At a bar, Tony talks about singing carols in Italy with his family as a kid. This gives Grace an idea to fix things between their families. First, they carol in Italian outside Tony’s family’s house. They love it and agree to go to Grace’s family’s house. Grace’s mom invites them in. And miraculously, the old boys make up. THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CAROLING.

They spend the next day happily working together until Tony’s dad falls off a ladder and breaks his collarbone. YIKES.

Later, Tony and Grace talk to her dad about his business. Tony has a great idea to keep it afloat. Grace’s dad is mad at them at first but is won over by good business ideas. You love to see it.

Tony’s dad’s broken collarbone doesn’t seem to slow the gang down too much and they finish on time. But while they’re working, Grace’s partner stops by to apologize for everything. That was unexpected. I thought maybe Grace would just step away from that business. But no! They’re going to patch things up.

Now we get to see the light displays. This may be the best part of the movie. I love watching the Christmas light displays. I love the song the family team uses but I don’t know that I liked their lighting display the best. BUT is ANYONE surprised when they win? And then Grace and Tony kiss but the movie is still not over.

We flash forward one year to the gang getting ready to watch the premiere of Grace’s new show. The dads are back to working together and Tony’s new consulting business seems to be booming. They all settle in on the couch to watch the show, happy as can be.

This movie felt like classic Hallmark. It had a very silly premise and seemed to follow the old standard format. But there have been so many heavy movies this year that I was very much HERE FOR IT. This was a great movie to watch while I did other things and it probably made me like it even more. What did you think?

An Unexpected Christmas

No Beard Tyler, I mean Jamie, gets ready for the day in his beautiful walk up in Chicago. We are immediately blasted with a CASUAL SHAMLESS BALSAM HILL PLUG.

Meanwhile, Emily frantically packs for a relaxation retreat in Hawaii and chats with her friend.

Then she heads to her job at a marketing firm. Her boss wants her to work on a new project instead of going on vacation. Of course, if she does this project, she is up for a BIG PROMOTION. But she has to go Fulton, Illinois to do a local tourism campaign instead of her vacation.

Jamie calls his mom from a campaign office. He can’t confirm whether Emily will be coming home with him. She just chatters away at him and he walks away from the phone.

During a meeting with the GOVERNOR, Jamie slowly leans back in a squeaky chair to grab a pen. It is NOT subtle. Regardless, Jamie gets a big assignment of his own-The Governor’s Christmas Day Address. HIGH STAKES.

He gets to work on his train ride home. His sister, Becca is there to pick him up. Well, well, well. Emily arrives at the exact same time, so his sister thinks they arrived together. Emily is like, wait what? You didn’t tell your family we broke up? And instead of Emily explaining it, she gets in the car and heads to Jamie’s family’s house. Jamie’s family is ELATED that Emily is there. No one has had even a second to explain. Emily seems to feel bad and starts to play along with no words exchanged.

More BALSAM HILL Ads. Emily finally asks to talk to Jamie in the kitchen. She swats a cookie out of his hand. Diane, Jamie’s mom, can’t read a dang room and keeps popping in. Emily tells Jamie’s family about the whole project she’s working on. Diane may have the least chill of any Hallmark mom ever and I love it. She asks when they want to get married and have babies and Jamie spits out his drink.

Later, Jamie seemingly plans to take Emily to her hotel. I’m not sure how he explains that to the family but here we are. We learn that Jamie dumped HER two months ago but didn’t tell his family because his grandpa had just died and who knows why else. The hotel where Emily is staying seems REAL fancy for a small town in Illinois. After dropping her off, Jamie sits in his car and practices telling his family why they broke up. He admits the sad truth to himself-that her career was taking off and his wasn’t and he felt threatened. She calls him and asks if he can still stay at his house. Apparently, there was a whole mix up with her reservation and she can’t get it straightened out until the following day. So, she is stuck on the “janky pull-out couch” in Jamie’s parents’ basement.

They get home just in time for charades. Later, Jamie lets Emily have his room and he takes the janky old pull out. Jamie’s room is GIGANTIC. There is a full living room in there. What do his parents do for a living? The playroom where Jamie sleeps is also gigantic and yet, they only have this rail thin pull out and Tyler’s feet hang over the side. BEEN THERE BUD. I spent MANY a Christmas sharing a 60-year-old double pull-out couch with basically a sheet of cardboard as a mattress with my sister. So yeah.

Emily tries to sneak out the following morning. BUT Jamie’s dad is a typical dad and is up and making breakfast. His mom and sister are up too. How early did Emily think she got up? Literally the entire house is already up. I do love Emily’s outfit.

Jamie is half on a bean bag and half on the pull out; totally out cold. Somehow the Christmas tree totally crashed too. NOT A RINGING ENDORSEMENT FOR BALSAM HILL. She literally throws an entire glass of water in his face. She gets right in his face and rehashes the whole morning to him. I LOVE IT.

Jamie heads outside in a lovely cardigan. We know how Tyler loves his cardigans. The family then reminisces about Jamie’s grandpa and then ceremoniously turn on their giant lawn inflatables. What is that coat that Emily is wearing?

Emily gets a call from Jackie Joyner Kersey and she can’t make it because of weather. So, her whole project has sort of been upended. She was sort of the key to the whole thing. The inflatables deflate in commiseration. Also why is Jackie willing to do an ad for some random town’s tourism campaign?

Jamie remains committed to that cardigan and Emily is wearing that ridiculous coat inside. Is she trying to hide a pregnancy or something? Jamie suggests maybe the Governor help her campaign. I mean, I guess. But let’s not pretend it’s better than Jackie Joyner Kersey. Jamie suggests Emily stay with his family for a week in exchange for the Governor possibly helping her out. So that’s not the meanest thing in the world to do to a girl you dumped without explanation.

That night, the family heads to the Christmas tree lighting in matching light up Christmas vests. They get funnel cakes before doing karaoke. Jamie and Emily reminisce after the karaoke moment. Jamie’s super weird parents hang mistletoe over them, and they go along with it. Ugh my heart is just breaking for poor Emily.

Jamie is in a whole pajama situation and tries to work on his speech.

The next morning, Emily talks to the client. She pitches the Governor of Illinois instead of Jackie Joyner Kersey. GUYS IT MAKES NO SENSE. The client is stoked though so we just need to keep going with it. The biggest problem is that the location of this speech is likely locked and loaded and why do it in a random town away from her home? I don’t know.

Jamie is in another cardigan and has a heart to heart with Becca at the theatre. Jamie’s nephew is in an amazing tree costume. Better than that one lady who wins the ugly sweater competition in her own home from a few movies back.

Later, Emily goes over the photos from the day at home. Her friend is also very impressed that they might have the Governor over Jackie Joyner Kersey. Like, how is a state Governor better than Jackie? I am not buying it.

Later, the family plays charades again. Things get a little tricky when Emily blabs that she is going to Hawaii in a few days. Emily wears a crown (for winning the game I assume) in her bed while she works.

Jamie is accosted by Becca in the hallway. She knows something is up. They head to the shed out back. It could be on a Christmas card. Jamie spills the truth to her. Becca is like, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Becca tells him that if he doesn’t marry her, she’s going to have to because she has to stay in their family. So that’s sweet.

It’s a new day and Jamie still has NOTHING for his speech. I am NOT on board with Emily’s outfit. She is heading into town and Jamie decides to join her. Jamie wears his coat zipped up all the way. After they get coffee, Jamie turns into a historic walking tour guide for the town. Later, they eat hot dogs and hot chocolate mixed together? Gross. Emily says the hot dogs are like “lunch for a week” but has she never been to Costco? These dogs look to be the same size as Costco dogs and I can pound one of those in about 5 minutes.  

Later, Jamie’s parents chat about Jamie and Emily. They think maybe he is planning to propose. These two idiots. I love them though. I really do.

ANDREW WALKER ALERT. In a GREAT PLAID SCARF. YES.

I don’t know where they are; but they are chatting at some bar? Is it outdoor? They catch up about work. Emily gets WAY too personal with the poor waiter asking if they want more drinks. I think she’s had enough to drink. The waiter says “well, we’ve all been there.” Which is the perfect response to her word vomit.

Later, WHAT TIME IS IT? They have a lovely time outside at his parents’ outdoor firepit. I REALLY WANT ONE. There is a decorated Christmas tree out there too.

Jamie takes Emily to the fountain outside the hotel where she was supposed to stay. He tells her about a local tradition where people write their initials on a stone after they get married and throw it in the fountain. He gives her a great slogan idea. BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE GOVERNOR?

She bravely runs around the fountain and doesn’t fall in. Then they dance to no music.

Jamie makes a call the next day. I’m assuming to ask about the Governor participating in this campaign. L,ater Emily and Jamie look for gifts at the outdoor Christmas market. Jamie gets a call. The Governor is IN for the speech. But my husband who has only been halfheartedly watching this movie, informed me that Jamie didn’t ask the Governor to be in the ad-just to do the speech in Fulton. So, this is going to be a REAL MESS. A mess in which Jamie could likely never recover personally or professionally. Curious how that will turn out. Or is that not what happened?

Later, Becca blackmails the pair of them into helping with her Christmas pageant. Becca really is not messing around about her stupid child’s play. Then Jamie reveals he doesn’t know how to drive a stick shift. JAMIE. Less sweaters more learning basic life skills. Jamie and Becca head to the train station to pick up his boss Gina. When the two meet, there seems to be an instant connection! So, great work Jamie.

Meanwhile, Emily paints with Diane. Later they all get dinner. Their waiter is the SAME guy from the bar. He is about to blab their whole story so Jamie does this weird bit where he hides under the table instead of just grabbing the waiter and asking him not to blab. But why would he blab? And why would them hiding under the table do anything to stop him from blabbing if he were so inclined? It makes NO SENSE.

Later, Becca and Gina walk home together. Jamie and Emily crack themselves up with their dinner antics. Didn’t anyone drive? I’m getting a real nineties vibe from Emily’s outfits. Jamie apologizes for how he ended things.

The next day, Jamie still has absolutely NOTHING for the speech. But by now surely his boss would want to see a draft and everyone would be working on it and it would be a whole thing. He’s not just going to give this to the governor cold! Or is he going to do JUST THAT? What a mess.

Emily finally meets up with her team. Her boss calls and wants to send her to the Cayman Islands for another project after Christmas. She is torn though because of Jamie. But Jamie dumped her and hasn’t said SQUAT about wanting to get back together.

That night, Emily wears my FAVORITE SWEATER of the movie. The family exchanges gifts. Emily thanks them for welcoming her and showing her what it would be like to have a big family at Christmas. And no one gets emotional about it.

Then it’s time for the pageant. Becca encourages Jamie to tell Emily how he feels. But after the show because she needs his head in the game. He overhears her photographer say something about 3 months in the Caymans. So, when Emily wants to talk about “after Christmas” he tells her to get a cab so he can talk to his family alone. YIKES.

Then,  Jamie does a TERRIBLE job as an inflatable unicorn in this play. Also WHY IS THERE AN INFLATABLE UNICORN? Then there is a quick series of unfortunate events where the confetti cannons go off and Jamie nearly gets knocked to the ground. It’s amazing and I laughed out loud.

After the show, Emily REALLY lets him have it. IT IS WELL DESERVED! She tells him he needs to tell her what he wants. And he can’t. All he is worried about is what he will tell his family. Oh no. They all heard the whole thing. So, there you go!

Later, Emily apologizes to Jamie’s family like an adult. They are gracious to her. Becca heads into her she shed and finds Jamie bundled up in a blanket, drinking. Becca gives him some advice.

I am not sure WHAT TIME IT IS because this is the longest Christmas Eve EVER at this point. Anyway, Jamie has a second heart to heart with his dad. AND HE STILL HASN’T WRITTEN ANYTHING FOR THE SPEECH TOMORROW. OMG What is happening? He finally has inspiration. You guys he would be so fired a WEEK AGO.

Jamie wears another cardigan on Christmas morning. The family has not waited for him to open gifts. The grandma has a great sweater too. Jamie wants to eat breakfast but the family isn’t hungry. They are all very sad that Emily is not there. Finally, he tells them all to get their coats. They’re going to win back Emily as a team! I love it.

At the speech site, Gina tells Jamie that the Governor is doing her speech from Springfield because her daughter had an asthma attack and also because she felt like it. But Gina had NO NOTES on the speech Jamie wrote so that’s pretty satisfying and unlikely. Gina tells Jamie that Emily went to the train station and she was pretty disappointed that the Governor wasn’t there. Doesn’t that ruin the whole campaign? Like they’re going to use the video from her speech in their ad? Is that the plan? It’s not great. Better to wait for Jackie to get out there in the New Year honestly!! Anyway, Jamie and the crew head to the train station. Emily is watching the speech while she waits for her train. Then Jamie arrives. He gives a beautiful speech where he finally admits the dang truth to her. I don’t know that Jamie (EVEN TYLER HYNES’S JAMIE) deserves Emily.

Then they really kiss big ones! Sheesh. Oh, it’s still not over. They head back to that bar with that silly waiter in a totally pointless final scene. But oh well.

So, this movie was just fine. There is A LOT of silliness we need to overcome to enjoy watching these two together. BUT if you can do that. You will enjoy this movie quite a bit. It was funny and several of the characters got great lines and did really well together. You do really end up liking all the characters, which helps a lot. What did you think?

Our movie begins with a flashback to our leads Chris(mas) and Joe running the saddest roadside toy stand this country has ever seen. They are selling about 10 variations of a sad snowman figuring. A boy wanders up and just HAS to have one. Does he though? His mom takes pity on these two kids and gives them $4 for it.

Flash forward to today and the only decorations at Chris’s house are framed magazine covers of HERSELF. So that’s not weird, is it? She hustles into work and runs into Santa and he is not pleased. He gets pretty judgy with her and she engages for some reason. Upon arriving to work, Kathleen, the CEO of Arlo Toys, is already waiting for her. She blames her phone for setting the meeting time on Pacific. WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE, AMIRIGHT? Classic Outlook.

Kathleen is there to pitch a huge promotion to Chris. She wants to merge CJ’s Toys with Arlo Toys and put Chris as CEO of both so she can retire. Chris is like, YES PLEASE. But, wouldn’t she have to like talk to her own board? She can’t just agree unilaterally, right? Does she really not have her own executive team that would need to be consulted?

But there is ONE person she needs to convince- her cofounder, who is still on the articles of incorporation-Joe. He will need to sign the merger documents. That seems like a huge problem to her.

Seven years ago, Joe abruptly left the company and they haven’t spoken since. Apparently he just ghosted Chris because he didn’t sign over his share of the company or anything. He just stopped doing any work? Is he still getting paid? What was the deal there? WE NEVER FIND OUT. Poor Alice, Chris’s assistant, doesn’t seem like she’s firing on all cylinders.

Heather finally connects with Chris to tell her that she and her husband are getting to go on tour and they need someone to watch their daughter. OVER CHRISTMAS? What is happening? Also, she’s packing like they already said yes to the tour. Of course, their parents are on a cruise!!

Heather lays the guilt on HARD about Chris being so busy. So Chris agrees.

Emma is completely silent after her parents drop her off. She wonders where Chris’s Christmas tree is. WOW this family is SO JUDGY. Is Emma an idiot? She’s like, why don’t you have any toys on display? Like I just decorate my house with law textbooks or something?

Heather walks Emma to school but is on the phone the whole time. They are super late for school. Oh no. They had cold pizza for breakfast because Chris has no food at her house. But at least Emma has her hair curled super nice and Chris has a beautiful blue coat. Santa stops her and says he knows where Joe is. So that was easy. Wait, is this Santa magic or just weird?

Chris is late to get Emma after school. Boy this poor kid is just having a miserable time. Emma is bummed because she can’t perform an original song at the Christmas performance but the school said no.

Chris decides the best thing to do is to take Emma with her to talk to Joe, her business partner, best friend from childhood and person with whom she hasn’t spoken in seven years. That seems appropriate! While there, Emma can’t seem to read a dang room to save her life and keeps interrupting their heated conversation to ask dumb questions. Joe finally agrees to sign the papers approving the merger if Chris will physically volunteer with his toy drive. She agrees. They pinky promise. So that is settled.

The next day, Chris arrives (late) to her volunteer duties wearing a lovely plaid coat. She accidentally raises her hand to help set up at the Jamboree location. I assume Santa waves to her as a trick. Later, Joe wonders why Chris wants to make money from her retail business. At the toy drive square, Emma tells Joe that she wrote that great song but is not allowed to perform it at her school concert. Joe suggests Emma perform her song at the Jamboree; but shouldn’t we hear it first? Just to be safe? Then they decide that Chris needs a Christmas tree. Chris is nearly catatonic over this.

Chris and Joe take EVERY opportunity to passively aggressively rehash the past. Joe doesn’t want to argue in front of the trees at the tree lot but they had no trouble arguing in front of Emma.

They bring their DEFINITELY REAL TREE back to the apartment. Joe arrives with a box of decorations.

The tree and her house are beautiful. While they’re decorating, Chris gets a call from Kathleen from Arlo’s toys. She is disappointed that Chris wasn’t at the office. Kathleen seemed nice before but she seems ALL BUSINESS NOW. Poor Emma has conked out on the couch. Chris has trouble keeping her eye on the clock! She’s going to bed too late on school nights! My nightmare as a parent. Chris notices one of their sad Styrofoam snowmen in Joe’s box of supplies. Somehow, it has held up! They start rehashing AGAIN. Geez Louise, you guys. Have it out or don’t!

Chris stays up really late working on her presentation and falls asleep at the counter. Do any of you think you would fall asleep all night like that? I know I couldn’t. Emma is definitely old enough to get ready for school on her own but she is still in her pajamas and playing guitar instead.

WOW Emma’s guest bedroom is SO CUTE. How old is she supposed to be though? She looks like a middle schooler but it seems like she’s playing way younger.

Emma wonders why there are no toys in the corporate office. EMMA. What does she want with toys? Chris explains a bunch of the toys from storage to Emma. She doesn’t like or understand how to use many of them. The company’s “research” apparently doesn’t include kid focus groups. Chris is like, well the research says this is what kids like. But Emma is like, you as an adult woman should play with these and see if they’re fun.

They donate all the toys in storage to the toy drive. We hear more rehashing of the past as they look at Joe’s designs for new toys.

Joe hosts a movie night for the toy drive and Chris offers to post about it on her social media to get more guests/donations. Joe is very touched.

They do the movie night old school style; with a rickety old projector that makes a lot of noise. Joe and Chris have a MOMENT of looking at each other and trying to think of something to say. I do like this idea though. I suppose it depends what part of the country they’re in though. An outdoor movie in December would be a nightmare in most of the country.

Kathleen arrives! What is she doing here?  She wanted to come and donate toys. She donates a solitary drone. Upon introductions, Joe can’t keep his TRAP SHUT. Wow he is rude to her.

Later, Joe is less than apologetic about his rudeness. But guys, he was REALLY rude. You don’t just unload on someone right when you’re meeting them, sheesh!

Joe comes to the office the next day to apologize to Chris. Then he suggests that they go ice skating to celebrate Emma’s last day of school before Winter Break. Chris takes them roller skating instead. TWIST. They have a MOMENT when they both wipe out.

Santa, or “Nick” arrives again. Nick invites them to the Christmas Café. It sounds like the most magical place in the world. Christmas desserts!! Nick has three tickets to go there, which is apparently the only way you can go? The tickets do NOT seem necessary any time hereafter. Just want to put that out there. At the Café, they reminisce about some dance in high school. Now they’re finally getting into their business split seven years ago. Chris immediately changes the subject.

Later, Joe and Chris play with all the donated toys instead of sorting them into categories. Or maybe both? Then they sketch out a new toy idea and argue AGAIN. I do sympathize with Chris here. But maybe she has lost sight of what makes a good toy? I’m not sure.

Later, Joe’s dad encourages him to tell Chris how he feels about her. He doesn’t want to because he thinks work always comes first to her. But guys, he doesn’t seem to respect her talents or her viewpoints on like actually running a business WHATSOEVER.

Outside, Nick talks to Chris and suggests that he really IS Santa.

Later, the gang heads back to the Christmas Café and play a hilarious reindeer themed video game.

The next morning, Chris is late to the presentation because Santa turned off her phone and she didn’t get any messages. So, she scrambles to the big Arlo presentation. Why is this all on her? Wouldn’t she have a whole team helping? Like, the CFO does the financials, the COO would do operations and the CEO would do one part too? Why does poor Chris have to do everything? Maybe the ending should be Chris restructuring her company to add an executive team and to learn to delegate.

Meanwhile, Chris helps Emma get all set up for her performance. I LOVE Kathleen’s dress in this scene.

Kathleen wants to go over some of the future toy lines after the presentation. Chris turns her down to help with the toy drive. Kathleen reminds her to get that signature from Joe. Chris is like, what do you think I’m doing? I feel like she should just tell her that they’ll sign it when it’s all finalized.

That night, Chris tucks that teen into bed and Emma suggest she marry Joe.

Now it’s time for the Jamboree. It looks like A LOT of fun. Emma gets ready for her performance. Emma’s parents make it in time to hear her sing. This audio is slightly better than the kid in A Christmas Family Tree but it is still pretty obvious Emma isn’t really singing.

Joe and Chris dance to the song. NO ONE ELSE DOES.

Kathleen approaches her after the performance. She lets her know that the board approved the merger with Chris as CEO. She doesn’t seem as thrilled now.

Joe approaches her and wants to talk. Chris thinks he is upset about how she decorated the tree. Joe just GOES FOR IT. GET IT JOE! He says he spent time with “the real Chris” which seems to make her think. She doesn’t think a relationship would work because she is about to be the CEO of a big company and JOE DOESN’T RESPECT HER. She is worried he only likes one small part of her-which is a fair concern! He doesn’t seem to like the ambitious side of her at all.

The next morning, Chris lets her alarm clock wake her the next morning and eats a sad bowl of cereal all alone. She arrives pretty business casual at work and sees Joe’s signature on the documents on her desk. She drops off toys to “Nick” on her way to Arlo’s Toys. Nick wonders if her work brings her the same joy as kids getting toys at Christmas. But like NO? Obviously not?

At Arlo Toys, Kathleen tells Chris the snow globe on her desk is a gift from her second husband. Kathleen reflects on her life, or lack thereof. Chris asks Kathleen if she has any regrets. I mean, she must if she’s retiring so early.

Meanwhile Joe works on fixing Chris’s ballerina toy and has a heart to heart with his dad. Joe stops by the office and Chris’s assistant tells him that she is at Kathleen’s office and asked her to get a bottle of champagne ready. He gives her the toy he fixed.

Later, Chris is at the Christmas Café with Heather and Emma. Emma will get to perform her original song at school! Heather and Chris chat. Heather can’t believe Chris is doing…what? She is going to see Joe and is really nervous. So, WE’LL SEE.

Chris tells Joe she didn’t move forward with the merger. GET ON WITH IT CHRIS. GEEZ LOUISE. She says there is no CJ’s Toys at all. She wants to start over with Joe and build the kind of company they always wanted to… I don’t get why they couldn’t do that with CJ’s or Arlos? I think this is probably the stupidest outcome of all. Wouldn’t she have been forced to sign a noncompete clause? And isn’t this how it all started initially, and it didn’t work out? Only now, they’ll also be dating! Oh, help me Rhonda. They pinky promise. And then she tells him she’s in love with him too and they kiss. Boy I have HIGH HOPES for this business.

We flash forward one year to the company Christmas party. Chris and Joe are dancing. Alice announces that one of the toys Joe designed-the “build your own dollhouse” toy is the “number 3 toy” on the market. Good for them. Are we thinking the Board at Arlo Toys wouldn’t like them doing different toys or what was the problem there?

Overall, I actually didn’t mind this one at all. I like Paul and Marisol together. They were super cute. I scratched my head plenty of times over the general company merger/CEO of both without anyone helping Chris but you know, we have to just let that go PRETTY OFTEN. Also, so like, that guy was Santa? And just kind of gently guiding Chris along? I don’t know. I could take or leave that whole bit. What did you think?

Guys, we did it. We made it through the last normal week before the chaos and insanity that is Thanksgiving at Hallmark. But we’re all still here and we’re all still going along for the ride. At the outset here, I want to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. I came in with less than zero expectations. I don’t know. I didn’t watch Desperate Housewives. I don’t connect with the more “mature” story lines. So that’s where we began. Also, this title makes NO sense based on the storyline. I thought maybe he would need Joyce to fall in love with him or they would have to kiss before Christmas but Ethan’s quest has nothing to do with that. So, that’s where we are. But it was really cute with a few major exceptions. So, let’s dive in.

The movie begins with our lead Ethan (and he really is the main character of this story; unusual for a Hallmark movie!) in a big office building heading upstairs for a meeting? I realize this is a crucial plot point but I don’t remember. Anyway, Joyce is in the other elevator and holds the door for him.

Then, we flash forward twenty years. Joyce and Ethan are scrambling to get ready for the day. They have two teens who are busy in their own right. Ethan is stressed and distracted. He grumbles about taking the train to work and about all the expenses he has. He notices a brochure for “Winslow College” on the counter and wonders about it. He barely has time to remember to grab the cookies his son made for his office.

At work, he is a man of the people. He passes out cookies left and right. He knows everyone’s name. But Rona, the big boss, barely knows he exists. Time and again, he’s been passed up for promotions and he is just sick of it. At work, he chooses a very interesting way to determine what tuition would be at Winslow College. The information he finds is discouraging.

At home, he remains stressed and distracted. So distracted he doesn’t even have time to help his teen daughter fill out an application to soccer camp. I would argue that a girl that age would be fully capable of filling such an application out herself. BUT the point is that Ethan is a terrible dad. Right? That’s the point? Then we find out that the college pamphlet is actually for Joyce! Joyce tells Ethan that she thought she might go back to LAW SCHOOL now that the kids are getting older. You guys. YOU GUYS. Do I have time today? I JUST MIGHT. So let’s pretend that Terri is not 56 in this movie (which is her actual age.) Let’s pretend that she is 46. MY ISSUES REMAIN. Okay so let’s pretend she’s 46 and is talking to her husband about wanting to go back to law school. Her justification is as follows: she could contribute to their household income. It has always been her dream to be a lawyer. Okay, Joyce. So, law school is 3 years. That puts you at about 50 when you graduate. To be nice, let me send you to the state school I attended at the price I paid over ten years ago. Today, I have not made a DENT in my student loans. NOT A DENT. So, let’s all think about this realistically. Does someone want to hire a 50 year old entry level associate? Maybe. Is she going to make back her 75k in loans while putting her two children through college? When, exactly, is she going to be able to actually contribute to their family’s finances after recovering from the debt? And let me leave you (for now) with the advice I give everyone who asks me whether they should go to law school: NO. Don’t go.

Anyway, Ethan receives a stroke of good fortune when his money hungry boss, Sean, gives him an opportunity. Sean tells him that he lied to their boss, Rona, about the progress of an upcoming development and needs Ethan’s help. They have one final hold out in the existing building. Her refusal to cooperate has the potential to considerably delay construction. Sean promises that if Ethan can convince her to move, he will recommend Ethan for a VP slot. So the game is on.

Ethan heads right over to talk to this woman and cuts a deal. At the Christmas party…that night? Ethan fills Sean in on the great news. Sean is furious because the way Ethan has fixed this sort of still outs Sean’s lie that everything was all squared away already. He’s also mad that Ethan worked out a sweetheart rent deal for this newsstand when they could charge more to someone else. Ethan tries to reason with him but Sean only cares about appearances. I mean, that’s literally what he says. I actually can’t believe someone would be so stupid to admit that, but here we are. So Sean tells Ethan he needs to go fix it the right way.

He leaves the party to go ruin this poor newsstand owner’s Christmas. He calls his wife on the way to tell her he’ll be home late. She’s furious and thinks he’s making a huge mistake. Also, it’s Christmas EVE. While he’s waiting at the train station, he is approached by Santa. He sort of unloads 20 years of frustration to Santa and determines that if he had only gotten in the other elevator back then, his life would be so much better. Then he falls asleep. OH WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

He wakes up in the same bench and panics because it is morning. He is pretty frazzled because he’s spent Christmas Eve on a train station bench and assumes Joyce will be furious. But he can’t find her number in his phone and can’t get through to her. When he walks out of the train station, Sean’s driver is waiting for him which is very confusing to him. He rejects this man’s offer for a ride and scurries to his office, where he sees his own last name on the building. Apparently, he and Sean co own this development company since Rona retired. In the lobby, he is greeted by Joyce! Except she is the attorney that’s suing them over their intention to demolish a youth center for more office buildings. Because what else would a development company build?

Ethan is quite disheartened to learn that Joyce only knows him in this capacity and that his own company is demolishing this youth center. However, he is very delighted to see that this is the kind of lawyer Joyce would be. (To be clear, while endearing, this is NOT the type of practice that contributes much to their household income, which was one of Joyce’s earlier reasons for pursuing her degree. Just want you all to keep up.)

Upstairs, Ethan experiences surprise after surprise. He is now in Sean’s office and he has a fireplace. Everyone seems surprised when he greets them. But he is very happy with his new office, his color changing fireplace and his new suit. So things are looking up for old Ethan. He also gets his assistant to start working on winning Joyce over.

At the end of the day, Ethan is taken to his VERY NICE house. He is just tickled by this house. It is just what he thought he always deserved. So then Santa turns up again and fills him in. Ethan is getting to experience the reality he thinks he was meant for. It will stay this way if he doesn’t learn any lessons. Ethan asks about his kids. Well, since they were adopted, his kids exist in this alternate universe but are still in foster care. Ethan wonders why Santa can’t just make them his kids real quick. But, for some reason, Santa can only do this one very specific type of magic. He has until Christmas to make it right.

The next day, he learns he has a Ferrari, which is something he thinks his daughter will find amusing. But, he can’t tell her. Later, he wants to keep winning over Joyce and sends her favorite hot chocolate. Joyce is intrigued but doesn’t want him to think she cares. Ethan remembers that he knows exactly where she’ll be that night and heads that way.

Of course, Ethan finds Joyce at a tree lot. He offers to help her get her tree home if she promises to help him with something. He also tells her he wants to help her stop the youth center from being demolished. Joyce is all on board for that so she agrees. But, silly Ethan has driven the Ferrari.

At Joyce’s house, Ethan tells her THE WHOLE STORY. She promptly kicks him out. But then she walks outside and keeps talking to him about his situation. She doesn’t believe him but she kind of thinks he’s coming from a good place. I think that’s where we land at the end of the night?

Back at “home,” Ethan says goodnight to his talking coffee maker.

In the morning, Ethan runs into Rona on the street. She tells him she retired because she was tired of dealing with ruthless business people. H realizes that maybe he could do things his way after all. So, then he heads to the youth center to talk to Joyce.

At the youth center, they connect over similar childhoods-spending lots of time at youth centers themselves. Then he meets Collin and Trisha. He seems very emotional about seeing them and realizing they don’t know who he is. Outside, he tells Joyce that they adopted them when Collin was 3 and Trisha was 1. I think that is quite lovely. So, with a game plan all set, Ethan heads back to the office to fill Sean in. Sean thinks Ethan’s idea is terrible. Ethan’s solution for the dilapidated youth center is to host a few quick fundraisers. Sean hates that idea too. But I guess that doesn’t really matter because the next scene is at a phone bank.

The gang really hustles to answer the phones. Ethan arrives to help and catches a soccer ball that Trisha kicks his way. He asks if she has any camps coming up and tells her he has a daughter that plays soccer. BUT he doesn’t remember what position she plays. So that’s not good. Later, he meets his kids’ foster parents. They are really nice. He hears Trisha call the man “dad” and that just about kills Ethan’s insides completely. THIS dad has plenty of time to help Trisha with her application to soccer camp!

That night, Ethan and Joyce go out to dinner. He tells Joyce what she’s like in his reality. She thinks she sounds happy in that one. Okay so we are going to put this law school at 50 business to rest? No? Okay.

The next day, Ethan and Sean get interviewed on TV about their company going public. Ethan takes the opportunity to pitch their fundraising dinner for the youth center. BUT, after the interview, he briefly forgets about Trisha! His time to learn lessons is running out. The thought of losing his memories of his daughter scares him quite a lot!

That night they hold the fundraising event. They are still haven’t met their fundraising goal and Ethan and Joyce are optimistic but a little worried. He gets to work doing his best to subtly sabotaging everything. He tells Joyce he thinks Ethan is just doing this for publicity. Joyce walks out and Ethan catches her. He’s like, isn’t Sean the worst? And she’s like, yeah I guess he is.

Later, Ethan and Joyce attend yet another holiday party. This is his office Christmas party; annoyingly held on Christmas Eve. Is there a company on this Earth that holds its CHRISTMAS party on Christmas Eve? I want to know. Anyway, Rona shows up and casually announces she donated 2 million to make up the balance of the fundraiser. Sean remains annoyed at the whole thing because he’s the worst.

As Joyce and Ethan dance, Ethan starts to forget EVERYTHING big time. He and Joyce run into the hall and she tries to help him remember. He snaps back and Santa approaches. He tells Santa that he doesn’t want to forget his family and he got in the right elevator after all! That’s the magic word and he wake up on the train station bench again.

THIS TIME though, his office party is still happening, so he storms in and gets into it with Sean over the newsstand lease. Rona overhears and fires Sean on the spot. She offers Ethan his job but Ethan says he doesn’t want to take a promotion that will take time away from his family. Rona tells him that’s exactly who she wants in that position.

When he gets home, he foolishly tells Joyce that she can go ahead and go to law school. Whatever. I don’t care anymore. It doesn’t affect me. But Joyce, it’s a dumb idea. Anyway, the movie ends with Ethan being grateful for his family and promising Trisha he will help her with her soccer application. And that’s it!

Guys, I really liked this one! It was a fun watch and a reprieve from the heaviness of the past few weeks. I loved that even in his alternate reality, Ethan immediately pursued Joyce and had to tell her everything that was going on. He kept saying she’s the only person he can talk to and trust. And I loved that he needed her in any reality he was in. I loved that they adopted their kids from foster care and that Ethan really couldn’t be a bad guy if he tried. He was just a little run down. This was a true treat of a movie!

Well guys, here we are. The third movie of the week. Since I saw the preview and knew this movie was based on a sad country song, I’ve been trying to emotionally prepare. I figured this would be just nonstop tears. But you know what? It really wasn’t. There were some sweet sad moments, but I do feel I was adequately prepared. I did that super fun thing where I didn’t take notes again. I finished decorating my house for Christmas while I watched this one and I feel pretty pleased about the whole thing. Shall we?

The movie begins with a memory from our lead, Clara’s childhood. She is playing hide and seek with her grandpa in the bakery he owns. After the game, Grandpa Jeff tells her why he loves candy canes. He can think through a problem while he eats it and he usually has a solution by the time he’s done. That’s a cute little personality quirk.

We flash forward to the future as Clara heads out the door as an adult. She pauses to put a little candy cane on a picture of her with her grandpa. That’s a cute bit too.

Clara is an elementary school art teacher which cannot be a full-time job at any public school in America. She is very good at it though, obviously. On the way out of school, her boyfriend, Blake, a mismatch if I’ve ever seen one, asks her out to dinner. At first I think it’s just some sad fellow teacher crushing hard but it turns out that they’re actually dating. Poor guy. Clara seems happy enough to go out to dinner with him later that night though.

So, that night at dinner, Blake and Clara talk about their holiday plans. Blake has yet to meet Clara’s mother even though it sounds like they are really close. Regardless, Blake is all set to propose RIGHT THERE IN THE RESTAURANT. He has planned a proposal before meeting her family and without plans to spend the holiday together. I mean, what relationship does he think he’s in? Luckily for all of us, he drops the ring box as he tries to get it out of his coat. Clara sees it and has a quick moment of panic before abruptly changing the subject. She’s brought her mail with her to dinner, as you do, and decides to open a letter from the school. The contents are truly enough to sour the whole mood. The letter tells her that she will be let go at the end of the year because of budget cuts. So it’s a good thing she’s getting out of Dodge for a while. Or rather, heading straight TO Dodge, as it were.

Clara arrives home to chaos. I don’t know what her mom actually did at the shop while Jeff was alive but she has not been able to keep up. The house is littered with papers, the back office of the store is a disaster, and she’s working round the clock. She cannot keep up. Clara promises to help her get everything back on track.

The following day, she runs into her old high school flame, Logan. He had a whole military career and now is in the national guard. He wants to catch up over coffee or something but Clara insists she’ll be much too busy with her mom. So maybe next time, Logan!

Later, she works at the store and misses her grandpa, big time. As she leaves for the night, she wishes out loud for five more minutes with him. At home, she and her mom talk about how much work there is at the store and Clara suggests they hire someone to help.

The following morning, Clara HANDWRITES WITH CHALK a “help wanted sign.” So, three hours later, when she’s finally finished with that, she puts it in the window and heads in the back to inexplicably decorate gingerbread houses. HOW COULD THAT BE A NECESSARY TASK FOR THIS STORE? Do less you guys. Honestly.

Anyway, not a minute into this, a young man comes in looking for a job. He doesn’t have a thing on him-no resume, ID, references. Nothing. BUT he claims to have talked to Clara’s grandpa over the summer so that is good enough for her. She hires him on the spot, banking pretty hard that he is not a serial killer. IT COULD GO EITHER WAY AT THIS POINT.

But Christmas is about desperation and taking chances so, “Jay” gets right to work on deliveries, etc… His self-starter attitude allows Clara’s mom to both take the morning off and leisurely browse the town’s Christmas market. The dream, really. On his way out, after cleaning up the whole back office, he tells Clara he found an old journal. Oh, that’s interesting. It’s Jay, right? Just FOUND that journal, eh? Okay then.

At the Christmas market, Clara’s mom starts chatting with a man around her own age. They seem to hit it off and connect over both losing aging parents. She knew his mom and liked her a lot. He’s been getting more involved with the town’s business and asks if she plans to go to some planning meeting the following day? She really would like to.

Back at the store, I think Logan stops by and helps Clara with something. I don’t remember specifically. Anyway, Jay wanders in and suggests those two crazy kids head to the Christmas Tree Lighting that night. They think that’s not a completely terrible idea themselves.

At some point during this day, Clara cracks open that journal and discovers that her grandpa Jeff was really into a woman named Martha. The only problem is-that is NOT her grandma’s name. So, we’ve got a classic low stakes “Hallmark Mystery” on our hands at this point. We get some flash backs to Jeff’s memories of Martha. Does anyone notice how they don’t show “Young Jeff’s” face in any flash backs? That’s when I knew. Knew what, Cally? Oh, I won’t spoil it until the end. But I want you all to know that I KNEW THE WHOLE TIME, okay?

So anyway, they do all go to the Christmas Tree Lighting. Clara and Logan have a pretty heated discussion about how they broke up 20 years ago until they are interrupted by the Tree Lighting Countdown. After the lighting, they switch gears to talk about the journal. Logan turns into a tween girl and wants ALL THE HOT GOSS. He drives Clara home and they both get swept up in the story. Clara and her mom both arrive home with their “not dates” and have an awkward exchange at the door. Then Clara’s mom reminds her how she didn’t like how Logan ended things with her and that he signed up for a life in the army, generally. Clara is like, he’s not even my boyfriend so WHATEVER MOM.

I don’t think Clara checks in with her boyfriend until the following day. Like, a full day and a half after she arrived. This poor guy’s “did you make it?” text was left on “read” for a sold 36 hours. A guy she is so serious with, he felt ready to propose. Perhaps ol, Bah-lah-kay just can’t read a room. I don’t know. But Clara makes VERY LITTLE TIME FOR HIM.

After seeing what a great job “Jay” has done with the back office, Clara tasks him with the kitchen. Grandpa Jeff had a system only he understood. Jay is like, oh I can probably figure it out. OH, CAN YOU? Jay?

Jay continues to offer other helpful suggestions like selling some “extra inventory” at the market and taking the peppermint cookies out at the exact right time. Anyone notice how Clara’s mom never actually sees him? Just you know, saying things.

Because of all of Jay’s help, Clara’s mom has time to go to that city decoration meeting with her new pal. They get to know each other over a truly delightful looking cup of hot chocolate. He asks her on a real date but she’s not sure if she’s ready.

Meanwhile Clara and Logan get all set up at the Christmas market. Unfortunately, this is the time that Clara chooses to take Blake’s phone call so now Logan knows she has a boyfriend. This seems to bother Miss Clara BELL.

Clara’s mom eventually works up the courage to go on a date with this friend she’s made but by the end of the date, she decides she still isn’t ready.

As Clara spends more time with Logan, she realizes she needs to end things with Blake (I’m assuming.) She sends him a text that every person with anxiety absolutely dreads- “we need to talk.” And then proceeds to like, not to follow up AT ALL. So naturally, Blake just SHOWS UP. She breaks up with him and he’s like, well, I’m glad I at least got to meet your mom after all that. OKAY DUDE. So I’m glad we got that loose end tied up.

Eventually, Clara finds a card addressed TO MARTHA in her grandpa’s old room. She gets very excited about it and wants to see if she and Logan can track this woman down. After visiting 9 different houses, they get a good lead and head to the right Martha’s house. In all the excitement, Clara invites Logan to spend Christmas with her family. However, she rescinds that offer when Logan tells her he’s been called up to active duty again. So Clara leaves Martha’s card on her porch and scurries on home. So that’s the end of that I suppose.

On Christmas Eve, Clara and her mom get dinner all prepped. They seem to have an open house situation which is my mom’s dream as a host extraordinaire. In the midst of all this, they get a knock at their door. It’s MARTHA.

Martha sits down with the girls and fills in all the gaps with her and Jeff. As she leaves, she gives the girls an envelope of old photos of her and Jeff. Then, the motion detector goes off at the store. Clara offers to go check it out. ALONE. Smart.

When she gets there, she realizes its just silly old Jay fixing some of the Christmas lights. She invites him inside for a candy cane. They have a really lovely heart to heart. “Jay” gets emotional hearing about the things Martha said. WONDER WHY. Anyway, he tells her he was glad to help them out this week. He leaves and Clara knocks over her purse and the pictures Martha gave her spill out. We finally get a glimpse of young Jeff and IS ANYONE SURPRISED AT THIS PONIT? Clara runs out to find him and notices that his footprints just disappear. She looks up at the sky and sees a shooting star and thanks her grandpa.

She runs straight to Logan’s and tells him she doesn’t want to waste any more time and then brings him over to the house. The next day? Maybe? The house is full of people, including Clara’s mom’s friend and other family. Clara tells her mom she plans to look for jobs there so she can be close to Logan too. And I’m sure at some point Logan and Clara kiss but I don’t remember when! And that’s that.

Guys, all in in all, this was a lovely little movie. I thought it would be a nonstop cry fest but it really wasn’t! It was just an enjoyable, sweet watch. Nikki DeLoach remains a treasure and I thought she and her costar were a good pair. I liked the idea of her getting extra time with her grandpa as a young person without realizing it. And I LOVED that Christmas store. What did you think?