Open By Christmas | D

Hallmark Channel Premiere | November 12, 2021

The Hallmark execs when this script was pitched.

In this movie, Nicky is an adult who is still haunted by her embarrassing valedictorian speech from high school. (No. Really.) In case you forgot that she was valedictorian, she is constantly digging up old textbooks, trophies, and wondering why she kept a Calculus workbook, since she "tested out." It is inside said Calculus workbook that she finds a Christmas card from a high school secret admirer who liked her because she once complimented his drawing and said "good job" after he won a competition. The card includes a quotation from Romeo and Juliet, but it somehow takes a little extra sleuthing on Nicky's part to figure this out. (This bothered me a lot. It also bothered me that she first attributed the quote to Jane Austen.) Nicky joins forces with best friend Simone to uncover the identity of her secret admirer, and she embarks on a Christmas journey through all of her high school insecurities.

There is a lot happening in this movie: mother-in-law conflict, blended family conflict, "I bought a house but didn't tell you about it" conflict, empty-nester conflict; "you're not spending enough time with me" conflict; "you're a hover-parent" conflict; "my fiancé wrote you a love letter in high school" conflict; and - last but certainly not least - "I sang a song for my valedictorian speech and will never get over the embarrassment" conflict. In the end, it all feels just a little too heavy for such a silly premise. If anything, this movie is a reminder that high school was a long time ago, and it's time to move on.

Hallmark gets an A on: Alison Sweeney

Hallmark gets an F on: Derrick's embarrassing story from high school (It's like when your friend tries to make you feel better by sharing something awful about themselves, but it's really not that bad, so you just feel worse)

Grade: D

* 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.