Full disclosure: I watched the first 15-20 minutes of this movie just after it premiered and determined that it was a dud, so I turned it off. However, I wanted to post a review, so I watched it from start to finish today.
On the second viewing, the beginning grew on me, and I actually enjoyed the movie tremendously once I got past the first 20 minutes. This experience has taught me two things: 1) Hallmark movies typically improve as they go, so sometimes you just have to get past the beginning. I always tell my daughter that she can't quit a book until she has read the first 30 pages (a trick I learned from my own mom), and I think that a Hallmark movie works in the same way. 2) Hallmark movies are almost always better on the second viewing. I don't know why this works, but it does.
What piqued my interest about this movie is that it revolves around a town that is actively trying to attract a developer. This is a serious twist in the Hallmark world, and it gave me pause. Is Hallmark actually acknowledging that development can be a good thing for a town? Gasp. While it's completely anti-Hallmark, it makes good economic sense. But don't worry - in the end, this movie stays true to its anti-development, small-town-wins, local-is-best roots. And that is as it should be.
Mostly, I feel that this movie took a potentially bad move and capitalized on it. I'm picturing a room full of Hallmark executives listening to the pitch: "We name the town Christmas, and then it just goes from there... it works on so many levels!" It sounds like a truly terrible idea. And yet, it worked. After all, this decision led to the lines:
"I believe Christmas is worth fighting for."
"When I first got here, I didn't really get what Christmas was all about."
"The ski resort isn't going to save Christmas; it's going to destroy everything that makes it special."
and, my personal favorite: "We are Christmas."
It's so bad that it's great. (Note to self: use this statement as a way to teach paradox to my students in the future. My "I'm punishing you because I love you" parenting example is getting stale.)
Hallmark gets an A on: Naming a town Christmas; Clear conflict; Stranded with car trouble plot element; Accurate portrayal of parenting a 13-year-old with some sweet breakthroughs; Seamless integration of Hallmark staples (cookie decorating, tree shopping, etc.); Lighting ceremony (fun); Christmas ornament hunt (so much fun. I want to do this); Romance; Showing a jilted love interest who is actually upset about it (yay!); Watching a town named Christmas get its Christmas mojo back (fabulous)
Hallmark gets a D on: The corny factor. And yet, if you love Hallmark movies, you like corny, so this could totally be an A.
Grade: B
* Note Grading Scale:
A = This is seriously a good movie. It will remain on my DVR for the season.
B = Totally exceeded my expectations. I'm happy to recommend.
C = This is an average Hallmark movie. Good holiday fun.
D = I'm disappointed... but I watched it. Why not?
F = I actually had a hard time getting through this one. And that says a lot.
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