A Nashville Christmas Carol (2020 Hallmark)
Cast: Wes Brown, Jessy Schram, Jon Briddell, Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
A television producer is forced to work with the man who broke her heart on a country music Christmas special while being interrupted by Christmas spirits determined for her to revisit her past.
Thoughts
Sara Evans sound checks for a televised concert called Christmas Live Something. Vivan, the show producer, goes around putting out small fires and working hard during the holidays to prove she can work in La and leave Nashville (and her sister Georgia) behind. Vivian’s old friend Gavin shows up on set, and she is rude to him. Vivian is disrespectful to everyone. She even freaks out over milk and cookies put out by a crew member. (Poor crew member.)
Marilyn Jinway is the former producer, who recently passed away. She was Vivian’s idol. A mysterious music box plays “Come All Ye Faithful.” and only Vivian can hear the song play. The music lures Vivian to CHRISTMAS GHOST MARILYN!!!! Marilyn doesn’t want Vivian to go down the same path as her and introduces her to the Ghost of Christmas Past. (played by a charming Kix Brooks) He takes her to see herself as a child, and Vivian was just as controlling. Christmas is special because it was the last Christmas with her mother before she ran off. Vivian had to grow up real fast. Then she sees herself with Gavin and realizes that he likes her. In 2010 they almost kissed, but Vivan makes it awkward and turns it into a photo op to keep things “just friends.” Then the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Vivian to see the night that ended her friendship/budding romance with Gavin. The head of the network wants Gavin to use someone other than Vivan for a high profile music video. Gavin agrees and moves to LA. It ends their relationship. For years Vivian recaps the night Gavin abandoned her at a fancy party, and she met Marilyn.
Back in the present day, Vivan is talked into going to dinner with her sister Georgia. It is a set up to get Vivan and Gavin back together. It works. Did we need the Christmas ghosts? Probably not. Am I happy they are there? Totally.
Ghost of Christmas Past comes back and takes Vivian back to the night of the party. Sarah Evans tells Gavin to tell Vivian how he really feels. An angry Vivian cuts off Gavin, and she storms off before hearing his side of the story.
Vivan and Gavin go to the town Christmas festival and make blue wreaths, get mistaken for a couple, and listen to an acapella kid caroling group. (Who aren’t too shabby!)
The next ghost, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, shows Vivian Christmas Present. Vivan learns her sister is dating one of the crew members on set. Vivian tells Georiga that she knows about Parker and offers her support. Gavin doesn’t get the same support when Vivian is asked to move Sara Evans from the opening spot. Then she tells the artist before Gavin can and creates some drama.
The drama turns out to be a good thing because it brings Sara Evans and her replacement together. They sing Christmas Carols together in the town square. Wynonna Judd is back and rewinds time to give Vivian another chance to set things right. There is not Ghost of Christmas Future, the movie doesn’t have time for that. We’ve got singing to get to!!!
We next see the Christmas Live Show, which is pre recorded. Vivian and Georgia work together on producing the show and Vivian realizes she is where she belongs. Gavin’s parents visit him at the taping, they have never shows him or told him that they are proud of him. Today is that day! Vivian is offered a promotion, but she decides to stay in Nashville. Mr. Moss offers to fly her out to work because he wants her for the job that bad.
Vivian shows Gavin the video from their childhood and then they kiss. The end!
Side Note
Minority Report: Luanne, Henry, Crew, Jim, Mr. Moss, Kid Actor, photographer, Lisa, Parker,
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Overall rating
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 (5 Christmas Trees)
🍷🍷 (2 glasses of wine required.)
*Photo Credit: © 2020 Hallmark Crown Media
