I did not think I would blog on this topic this year. I wrote a short post last year, you can see that here. I just haven't been in the holiday (film) spirit for some reason. The movies have already started, and yet I can't even get 10 minutes in before losing interest. Why?
Again this year there are over 100 titles produced for the 2023 holiday season. Amazon, BET, Great American Family, Hallmark, Lifetime all have product available, so why am I not excited?
Before I share my thoughts, you can read this summary of the movies, and see if you are excited to watch even a third of these films.
Here are some of the reasons why this holiday film season seems so underwhelming,
#1. Lacey Chabert Fatigue - She's gorgeous. I love her in many films, but it just seems that every time I turn on Hallmark, there she is. I know that is an exaggeration. I have that same feeling about the male leads. There seems to be about 3-5 that are in EVERY MOVIE. Unless the story is dramatically different, please cast someone else.
#2. New Folks - Its always nice to see fresh faces, but if they are stuck in the same reimagined story, they are inevitably judged against the original cast. And let's face it, holiday movies don't exactly push the creative envelope. Do you know how many girl meets prince rom-coms I have watched? And I really don't watch them like I did during the plandemic.
#3. Autumn Reeser - Just like there are a few actors who are overused, there are some who are not cast nearly enough. Reeser makes everything she does BETTER. I did not see her name listed in any of the upcoming films, and that makes me sad. I guess its another year of watching repeats.
#4. Higher Standards - In their zeal to put out so much product, it is obvious the quality is slipping. And the same tropes keep getting regurgitated - the fake relationship, enemies to lovers, love between different social classes, Cinderella, rekindling an old flame, and moving to a small town and falling in love. That is about 80% of the holiday rom-coms just with those. And of course there are many varieties of each one.
I could also mention the forced diversity casting. The story should drive the casting, not the other way around. Yet producers would rather DIE than not participate in the DEI agenda. But let's face it, not every film needs a spunky, gay friend. And if their sexual appetite or presence does not move the story forward, don't include them. You could also add a Buddhist monk to all your holiday rom-coms. They are an underrepresented group in film. But I don't think they would help the story either.
#5. Its Christmas! - How many films actually acknowledge the true meaning of the holiday? Its all about Santa, Christmas magic, dating, but very little about the Love of God, or even Peace on Earth!
#6. Snow - What is so magical about snow? So many movies have a closing scene where everyone thinks its something special when it snows. If temperature and conditions are right, guess what, instead of rain or hail, snow comes down. Its really not that special.
#7. Location - Budget often dictates where the film will be shot. But even if not shot there, almost all films are set in NY or LA, or a small town in the Northeast. Often, some location in Canada is used instead. And if you are looking for quaint small towns with snow, that likely makes sense. But there are 50 states in the US. They may not all get regular snowfall, but they do celebrate Christmas. And as far as I know, people still fall in love in most states. Just setting a film in the Big Thicket area of Texas opens up a plethora of possibilities for a fresh new story.
#8. No Justice - Another actress I would like to see in holiday rom-coms is Victoria Justice. I watched her in two different films, a rom-com - Perfect Pairing, and Afterlife Of The Party - a movie where she dies, but must help friends and family heal before ascending, or else the alternative. Its ye old unfinished business trope. I think she has what it takes to be quite successful in holiday rom-coms - if that is her desire.
#9. Other Actresses - Of course there are other actresses I would like to see. But I have covered that recently in another blog.
#10. I'm Not Complaining - Some may think that I am being a whiner, That's not true. I am thankful for all the work that goes into all these films. But I miss the fun of holiday rom-coms. We all know what to expect with Hallmark, and others. They make holiday rom-coms, not Christmas films. And that's OK - its their money and their choice. As a long time consumer, I've noticed the quality of story, acting, direction all decline. They are supposed to be rom-coms, yet they lack both romance AND comedy.
Its sad when I would PREFER watching some of the older holiday films. For example:
Love At The Thanksgiving Parade (2012) - A quirky parade coordinator reluctantly falls for a consultant sent to evaluate Chicago's Thanksgiving parade. Sure its predictable, but the locations are fun, and a parade coordinator is an interesting position. Autumn Reeser is spectacular in the role, dressing in vintage outfits, and literally pushing this film across the finish line. You want to watch because you like the characters, want them to succeed, and there is enough going on in the background to make even the slow parts interesting.
Snow Bride (2013) The beautiful Katrina Law is a tabloid reporter trying to get the scoop on the family of a Senator, especially his sons who might be about to propose. Through a series of unfortunate events, she ends up stuck on a frozen mountain in a wedding dress where she is rescued by one of the sons. Things flow as you would expect, as she pretends to be someone else. Patricia Richardson is great as the Senator's wife and mother to the sons.
A Royal Christmas (2014) Lacey Chabert plays the humble seamstress from Philadelphia who falls for a European prince - who knew there are so many. What makes this better than many others is the main antagonist is Jane Seymour playing the queen. Chabert brings lots of charm to the role which overcomes the predictable plot. This was also one of her first holiday rom-coms.
Christmas In Homestead (2016) - An innkeeper and mayor sees his life turned upside down by a production crew filming a holiday rom-com in his small town - how ironic. Taylor Cole is the movie star and love interest for the mayor. Her ex is also starring in the film and plays the role of the annoying, clingy old boyfriend. Katrina Norman, another favorite of mine, is the sister of the mayor and helps him run the inn. There is a subplot of her befriending the paparazzi trying to sneak some shots of the stars. And finally, the child actor who plays the daughter of the mayor, adds a little bit of warmth to the story. I typically do not like kids in these films as they are often distractions, and rarely help the story. But the young girl here does a great job in her limited role.
A Christmas Wish (2011) Kristy Swanson, of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer fame - the movie, not show, stars as a single mother who has been abandoned by her husband and left to care for the kids, one of which is her stepson, who is abandoned by his father. She lands in a small town and takes work as a waitress in a diner. Trouble keeps coming her way, yet the thought of Christmas around the corner keeps them hopeful of a better future. The entire community rallies around them supplying a very nice, and happy ending. One of the few films that truly captures the Spirit of Christmas.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019) This film would likely be completely forgettable without the wonderful performance of Laura Marano, This is a reimagined Cinderella. Marano is tormented by her eccentric stepmother and stepsisters, the former constantly threatening her with her inheritance being unavailable when she turns 18. Marano works as a singing/dancing elf at a Christmas park, does singing telegrams, and is forced to do the cleaning and most housework while the her steps enjoy life. Then she stumbles into the "prince" of the story, who is a wealthy and popular boy in the town. They grow closer even though both work together in holiday costumes and do not know each others' true identity - you know like Clark Kent with glasses on looks NOTHING like Superman. The story is wrapped up in dramatic fashion with Marano coming out on top, and the steps properly humiliated.
My Santa (2013) Features another one my favorites, Samaire Armstrong as a newspaper writer and a single mom. Matthew Lawrence plays the heir to Santa Clause who comes to town to seek his Mrs. Clause. Not a major production and I could nitpick this to death, Armstrong and Lawrence are great together and alone. Its when the other people come along that the movie struggles. This is a good example of how child actors can suck the life right out of a film. You find yourself wanting Armstrong and Lawrence to get together at the North Pole, but maybe leave the kid behind. There are some sweet scenes, one in particular when they are able to help a struggling family.
And I want to add one more that is not your usual holiday rom-com.
Kristin's Christmas Past (2013) The film stars Shiri Appleby, who was in the original Roswell and more recently Unreal. The plot is not original. After a rough night, and the prospects of Christmas alone, the 30 something Appleby is sent back in time to confront her 17 year old self. The interaction between Appleby, her younger self, and the entire family keeps you interested. This is not a big budget film. But the movie does have a lot of heart. There were a few loose ends that they left hanging, but otherwise its an entertaining 90 minutes - if you like Christmas films.
So there it is. Just days before the official start of Christmas season and I have yet to see a 2023 film that I really enjoy. Hopefully, a few will come. If not, I've got the ones above, and some classic oldies to entertain me.
Be sure and check out my Christian Christmas Stories,
Merry Christmas!!
