"I just took out Santa."
Hello everyone!
Back to Christmas movies, and this one actually took two tries, but I was apparently not in the right mood when I originally wanted to watch it. Because when I sat down for the SECOND time in a row it definitely went much better, even if it's not one I plan on rewatching.
Some are like that though.
You enjoy them while they last but aren't as memorable or as completely fresh for you to want to watch again and again (like with certain others).
This one falls into that same category which is a bit of a shame since it has an actor I highly respect and enjoy watching otherwise, but this story just didn't sit so tight with me that I'd want to go through it more than once.
However, that doesn't mean it's NOT worth watching, because it is!
So without further ado ... Welcome to Christmas!
As with any other of my connected blog posts, you'll find all the others that have already been posted linked at the bottom. At this point we're only one more movie away from finishing this extravaganza, and doesn't that make time just fly like Rudolph?
But anyway, let's talk about this movie that literally welcomes you to Christmas.
Christmas is actually the name of the town itself, which I found incredibly cheesy but also quite charming, and it is the home of Gage McBride and his two daughters. Gage's wife has unfortunately passed and he's trying to make sure that both his girls are properly provided for. He's generally doing a pretty good job, but being the town sheriff also means he has other worries on his plate.
Like getting a new ski resort built nearby so that the town gets some new life.
Responsible for this resort Madison actually wants to build said resort one town over from Christmas, but her boss sends her over to do some leg work and investigate all her options, which she's not thrilled about as you can imagine.
And I mean she also takes out the town's welcome sign AND doesn't recognize the town sheriff when he comes to her aid, so.
Getting off on the wrong foot, Gage now knows Madison doesn't really want the ski resort in Christmas anyway, but his aunt is determined to charm her to her side, by launching a whole week of events to win her over, even though those events hadn't been done in years.
Oh and also, they sort of kind of sabotage Madison's car to force her to stay, until her boss Joe also makes her stay to scope things out some more.
Then begins the usual Christmas-y hilarity of the town pitching in so that they can pull off events such as the Festival of Lights or hiding ornaments around town and collecting them on a race, singing as family choirs, stuff like that.
It's funny and sweet but not as sweet as the storyline of Gage and Madison slowly warming up to one another - and especially Madison warming up to the two kids.
Actually, considering Gage initially accuses her of hugging his youngest like she were a cactus, it all goes off SWELL.
Madison is able to help Gage understand and navigate the troubled teen moments of his eldest daughter who's really moody and doesn't seem to want to get into the Christmas spirit, but she and Madison connect over A Christmas Carol and the girl even ends up playing Santa's Elf during a meet-and-greet (yup, that happens too).
But of course, just as the ski resort is approved for Christmas (the town that is), Madison learns something else after a random comment:
what happens to the small towns when the resort opens up?
Turns out the small towns lose all their initial charm with big chains moving in and mom-and-pop shops all closing, and that's not what she wants for a town like Christmas that she's come to love so much.
But how to tell the town itself?
Well it doesn't really go over in a good way, because the best friend of Gage's deceased wife (who's been hoping for a Gage romance ever since) is petty and jealous and as the news about the ski resort is about to break a bigger news breaks: that Gage will be leaving for Denver and a new job, something only Madison knew.
Of course you think that's the end of it, but this is Hallmark - we know it ends differently!
Madison gets an idea after seeing the present she was given before leaving Christmas - A Christmas Carol - and convinces her boss to actually invest in Christmas and not build a ski resort, but make it a year-round extravaganza. Because Christmas is home - and so is Gage, who has since made the decision not to relocate to Denver.
Although I have to say, that kiss at the end has got to be one of Hallmark's cringiest ever with how far apart the actors are standing - but all's well that end's well! Right before actual Christmas, too!
I was miffed that the subplot with the best friend didn't go anywhere but with her petty scheming and remarks, especially since I'd have thought Gage would have a thing or two to say. And as much as I appreciate Eric Mabius (and he looks GOOD in uniform!) this is sadly not one of those movies I'd watch again and again, as said before.
It's enjoyable and fun while it lasts, but for a repeat, I'd try something else.
xx
*images and video not mine
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