It's after Thanksgiving and my daughter have given me permission to watch Christmas films. I am attempting to work through Netflix list of new movies themed for Christmas. New is relative - last year's run included several Hallmark films from the previous years I hadn't seen. The films need to interest me and look to be passably entertaining. For a point of reference, there are several classics that would not make it on my list, for example, Die Hard, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, Elf. In my opinion the best Christmas film I saw last year was Feast of the Seven Fishes.I am trying to work through the films from worst to best.
My Secret Santa
First up, My Secret Santa. My Secret Santa is just fine. The script felt like it was written by a focus group. There are several well written scenes that might have been the high point of some other film. In this film however, I walked away saying "So what?" "Why should I care about this?" The main flaw of this film it it tried to tell too many stories. What was this supposed to be? The funny story of a woman dressing up as Santa a la Mrs. Doubtfire? A mother/daughter relationship drama like Gilmore Girls? A romantic comedy? I counted the following potentially interesting relationships that were never developed:
- The romantic leads
- The male romantic lead and his father
- The female romantic lead and her daughter
- The male romantic lead and his mentor/rival/coworker
- The rival/coworker and her daughter
- The two daughters
- The female romantic lead and her brothers
- The female romantic lead and
Someone need to sit down with the writers and this list - pick two, may be three and drop the rest. There are enough ideas here for two may be three good to great scripts. Or may be a miniseries/K-drama.
Rating: Good for background noise. Put this one on while you are baking and don't want to pay much attention.
Marry Christmas
Marry Christmas feels like a well crafted student film/ home movie. The plot is coherent. The acting tolerable. Most of the jokes fall flat in a wholesome "gosh shucks" way. This one beats out My Secret Santa for three reasons:
- Utah is pretty
- There were fewer relationships - I actually was mildly invested in the characters
- The actors playing instruments could actually play instruments''
Rating: Good for background noise. Put this one on when you hands are occupied with something else like wrapping presents.
The Christmas Contract
The Christmas Contract is a good made for TV movie. It is perfectly enjoyable and forgettable. The music is excellent. The plot follows the romance formula well, The acting is competent. The script moves the story along. The outcome is believable. This loses points for bad fiddle faking. The actress had good form for a fiddle player, however, fiddlers are known for have extremely good bow technique. If we can give jobs to actors, we can give jobs to musicians as hand doubles. Or cut the scene, it wasn't important anyway.
Rating: It's worth the time spent.
