Reunited at Christmas
Stars: Nikki DeLoach and Mike Faiola
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
Samantha Murphy’s beloved grandmother plots from beyond the grave to bring the family together for one more hometown Christmas, during which everyone is reminded of the importance of family, love and second chances. When Samantha’s boyfriend, Simon, proposes marriage and she accepts in front of her entire family, Simon is forced to play out an uncomfortable charade when Samantha admits she spoke too soon.
Thoughts
I’m sorry, did you read that synopsis? “Plots from beyond the grave”?! What the hell, Hallmark.
Sam is a writer who has been tasked with writing a Christmas book, during Christmas. Sam has some experience from her Grandma who taught her about her family’s traditions. Sam’s family has stopped doing them all ever since her parents were divorced, her grandma died, oh and her dad is selling their childhood house.
Writing isn’t going well for Sam. She makes a sandwich and gets a call from her sister. Turns out Sam’s grandma set up post mortem letters to go out at the holidays inviting everyone in her family to spend the holidays at her house. It is so weird and I m so doing this when I die.
Sam’s boyfriend, Simon Baker, is super supportive and funny, he books a romantic getaway in aspen for her and he is her biggest fan. He is also a news hopeful news NYC news anchor. Sam invites him to go with her and he, again, is super supportive and goes to Cedar Ridge with her. Is he really this perfect or are we being set up for something.
Lucky for Simon, he gets an opportunity to cover a story in Sam’s hometown. Will give him something to do while avoiding any family drama. Which will be in abundance. Simon loves Sam so much he asks her to marry him and the whole family runs out! Simon is a real good guy… maybe.
The family immediately gets a letter from Nana with the a Christmas family to do list. Which includes:
Put up all the Christmas Decorations
Pick a tree from Finch’s farm and decorate it
Make gingerbread cookies
Drink Nana’s hot apple cider
Go Ice Skating
Get our family picture with Santa at Benjamin Diner
Go to the Cedar Ridge Christmas Dance
The family works on completing the list and that is pretty much the rest of the movie… or so I thought. Turns out Sam is getting cold feet already and she tells Simon that she isn’t ready and it all seems so soon. Simon is willing to give her more time because he is the nicest guy. Why is Sam doing this? I’m so confused!!!! Simon heads back to the city as soon as his story is finished since Sam is being such a B. They will have to fake like they are still engaged until then?????
Turns out that Sam had a fiance once before and he broke off their engagement days before the wedding was to take place. Sam gets advice from everyone, which basically adds up to MARRY SIMON! (Simon is so great that he agrees to stay until the list is done.)
Eventually, Simon can’t pretend anymore. UNDERSTANDABLY. He heads for NYC for real now. Sam breaks down at the Christmas dance and her family encourage her to not worry so much and to try. Take a leap of faith.
Sam runs after Simon and makes a big speech and asks him to propose again. She says yes and they kiss in front of hr grandma’s house (Nikki DeLoach and Mike Fiola do a good job with this subpar material.)
Sam is inspired to write now, but it is time to open presents from dead grandma! Everyone gets something meaningful to them. Sam gets the tree topper that has been missing the whole movie. Simon and Sam put the star on top of the tree, completing the list and ending my misery while watching this movie.
Side Note
Traditions are the stories that families write together.
Minority Report: Co-Worker in NYC. The couple that Simon is interviewing for his story.
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Overall rating
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 glasses of wine required)
*Photo Credit: © 2018 Crown Media United States, LLC
