Operation Christmas Drop (2020 Netflix)
Cast: Alexander Ludwig, Virginia Madsen, Kat Graham
Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast here!
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Synopsis (via Netflix)
Congressional aide Erica (Graham) forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss’s behest. At a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz (Ludwig), who knows her assignment, is finding reasons to defund the facility.
Thoughts
Erica is a busy DC Congressional aid who high-fives Santa and shops for Christmas gifts for her boss Virginia Madsen. (Because she is good at finding the perfect gifts for people she has never met.) Virginia sends Erica to witness something called “The Christmas Drop.” in Guam, and she will assess if it is finical worth it.
Cut to hunky Netflix hunk Andrew singing Christmas carols on Zoom from his deployment in Guam. He flies planes with his flying friends (I have no clue what the word is.) Joker and Sunshine. They learn that Operation Christmas is on the chopping box for budget cuts. To clear his mind, Andrew goes surfing and meets Erica on the beach for a shameless shirtless scene with Alexander Ludwig. (I’m not complaining.)
Erica is NO FUN, and Andrew isn’t having it. He uses his goofy charisma to try and win her over. Andrew calls her a high maintenance pencil pusher behind her back. She is prissy and makes friends with a chameleon. (Is she Rapunzel from Tangled?) They go on a tour where Erica continues to turn town Andrew’s request to help her for the sake of her independence. (Let the man carry your bag, Erica!) Then they go to an outdoor market, and it is so fun to see Guam!
Andrew doesn’t show her Operation Christmas Drop, where they drop food, medicine, clothing, fishing nets for charity! Andrew explains that it is good for morale and doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything. Erica is still skeptical and vows to tell the truth in her report for the congresswoman.
Erica and Andrew visit villagers and sing a ukelele version of Falalalala or whatever. Erica weaves palm leaves and learns from the villagers that they cherish the Operation Christmas Drop tradition. Christmas traditions are something that Erica is trying to avoid ever since her mother died three years ago and her father recently got remarried. Andrew tells her that there is always room to make more Christmas traditions and takes her Christmas snorkeling. (Set to Colbie Caillat “Christmas in the Sand.” Ugh. Too spot on.)
At a town Christmas party, Andrew hosts the party like it is his house. Instead of lighting a town Christmas tree, they light tiki torches. He makes sacrifices for others because he is a good guy! Sunshine plays an impressive version of (I Saw Three Ships.” with a violin. Is this on iTunes? I need this song. Erica dances, and she is terrible. Andrew saves her some embarrassment, and they slow dance and almost kiss. Then fire dancers happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erica starts feeling the Christmas spirit, but it is cut short by the congresswoman. She is not impressed and demands that Erica come back to DC immediately. Erica isn’t going to complete the Christmas drop with Andrew for multiple reasons. There is a typhoon coming also. It quickly gets downgraded to a tropical storm, and the drop is back on.
Erica gives the congresswoman an inspiring speech and convinces her to do the drop too. While wearing Santa hats, the airforce pilots fly to remote islands and drop their cargo while listening to Christmas music. Erica even helps push the crates out, which is cool!
The congresswoman is inspired, and Erica vouches for not shutting down the base. The congresswoman agrees and maybe gives her a promotion. If she didn’t, she definitely should have!
Erica gives Andrew the best Christmas gift, his family! (Oh, we don’t get to see them.) Then they kiss as the camera pans out, and we learn about the true Christmas Drop.
Side Note
Minority Report: Erica, Joker, Sunshine, Sally, John Michael, Erica’s dad, Jake, Villagers,
Don’t forget to listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Overall rating
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine required.)
*Photo Credit: © 2020 Netflix
