Christmas on Wheels (2020 Lifetime)
Cast: Michael Xavier, Kristen Kurnik, Lara Amersey
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Synopsis (via Lifetime)
Ashley returns to her small hometown to care for her uncle, who recently broke his ankle. When she learns that he has sold her Mom’s vintage red convertible, a car that holds many wonderful Christmas memories for Ashley, she is disappointed. But with the help of Duncan, her uncle’s attorney, Ashley is reunited with the car and restores it to its former glory, and fills it up with gifts for the community – just as her mother used to do. As she reconnects with happy Christmas memories, she feels torn about her plans to return to the big city and what she may be leaving behind.
Thoughts
Ashley grew up driving around town in a red convertible at Christmas time, delivering Christmas gifts to those in need.
Grown-up Ashley plans on opening a Christmas store and bids on items at an auction. There she gets into a bidding war with a handsome man named Duncan. Her store plans are put on hold when Ashley gets a call that her uncle injured himself and needs care. She drives the 100 miles to take care of her Uncle Tony. Duncan also drives the 100 miles because he is appraising some of Uncle Tony’s belongings. Ashley is upset, especially when she learns that Uncle Tony got rid of her mother’s red corvette.
Ashley isn’t into the town’s decorations and is annoyed with the new mayor trying to modernize everything. Can’t we have CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS!?! (Even though she hasn’t been home for the holidays in years???) Duncan tracks down Ashley’s mother’s car, and they go to visit the new owner to convince him to resell it back. The man is very little help because he sold the car to someone else and can’t remember the name. (What a weirdo.)
Duncan’s car overheats, and they have to pull over to fix it up. Ashley is pretty knowledgeable about cars and schools, Duncan, on how to solve the problem. They wait it out for the car to cool down and eat some prepackaged sandwiches. They talk about Christmas traditions and start to make a connection. Ashley comes up with more ways to try and track down the car.
The search isn’t the whole movie, thank God. Ashley finds an old friend who runs the Christmas Tree farm. Matt gives Ashley the car and a truck to tow it because he is the nicest man ever. Ashley and Duncan work to restore the car and revive the Christmas on Wheels tradition. Then they play board games and eat ginger snaps.
This movie sure talks a lot about cars, which is pretty boring. Nothing says Christmas like car tailpipes. Duncan and Ashley get the car started and go for a ride. They talk about Christmases past. Duncan was one of the recipients of the Christmas on Wheels. He fell in love with Ashley then and hopes for a happy ending. Then the radio creepily starts, and I’m sure it is the ghost of Ashley’s mother trying to give them a sign.
A bake sale happens to raise funds to get toys for the Christmas on Wheels reboot. A petition goes around to bring back town Christmas traditions too. Since bake sales don’t make money, Ashley and Duncan decide to host a Christmas auction in town. They set up the auction and compete to see who is the better auctioneer. They decide to do the job together. The event goes well, and they raise the remaining money thanks to the Mayor, who bids whatever it will take to stop the auction. Thank you, Mayor.
Since things are going too well, Duncan finds a lease for a store from Gabby. He feels betrayed and plans to leave town before the Christmas on Wheels drive through town. The car doesn’t start, and Ashley realizes that she needs Duncan for the car to run. She rushes to stop Duncan from leaving and tells him the car won’t run without him. Ashley needs him, and the town needs him.
Duncan and Ashley deliver the toys around the town like a modern-day Santa. The town cheers them on as they help make Christmas wishes come true. There is one last gift, and it is for Ashley from Duncan. It is the angel bell that they were fighting over at the beginning of the movie. The car approves and plays some Christmas music. They get out of the car and dance while it snows. NO KISS AT THE END OF THE MOVIE?!?! (Is this a COVID precaution? What the hell.)
Side Note
Minority Report: Ashley, Gabby, Uncle Tony, Ashley’s mother, Mayor,
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Overall rating
🎄 (1 Christmas Tree. Good leads couldn’t save this jalopy)
🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 glasses of wine required.)
*Photo Credit: © 2020 Lifetime
I just watched this movie and loved it! What I really want to know is where I can find that Angel Bell !?!? It’s beautiful and I wonder where the one in the movie came from ?