Christmas She Wrote (2020 Hallmark)

Christmas She Wrote (2020 Hallmark)

Cast: Danica McKellar, Dylan Neal, April Telek, Andrew Francis

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Synopsis (via Hallmark)

When Kayleigh, a romance writer, has her column cancelled right before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with her family. Kayleigh gets an unexpected visit from the man who cancelled her column, who fights not only to bring her back to the publisher but also for her heart.

Thoughts

Writers Kayleigh and gay BFF Stephen try on clothing together for a holiday party. At said party, a man steps on her dress and apologizes profusely. His name is Tripp, and he also apologizes for firing her. Kayleigh writes her goodbye column and calls up her Sisters Amy and niece Charlotte. She is coming home for the holidays and looks for a new job, maybe at the local newspaper? Rob, the editor, suggests a Christmas feature in the paper. She takes him up on it and says she can “write faster than Santa’s sleigh.”

Tripp realizes he made a mistake and has to track Kayleigh. He calls and emails her continuously. When she doesn’t respond, he heads to her hometown to find her. He stops by Amy’s bakery and finds Kayleigh working there. He offers her the job back, but she flat out says no. Tripp gets a room in town and won’t take no for an answer.

I’m not sure why, but Tripp and Kayleigh spend the next day together—debating fake or real trees. They also saw down Christmas trees. There might be a budding romance there, but the age difference seems insurmountable. Plus, Kayleigh is jilted in love. Her fiance, Dan, left her at the altar five years ago. She hasn’t been home since then.

Speaking of Dan, Kayleigh runs into him at the town hospital. He is a doctor and still hot AF. He apologizes and wants to set up a time to talk.

Ice staking happens, and I find the actors to be charming independently. Together there is no spark here. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be rooting for Kayleigh and Tripp or Kayleigh and Dan. How about Kayleigh and herself.

Stephen shows up in town and is vibing with the bartender Ben. They decided to go out on a dinner date. Good for them!

A cheesy (like corny, not cheese) dinner happens, and Kayleigh burns the pie. She puts it out with a fire extinguisher while Tripp holds it for an attempt at comedy. Then everyone screams, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” It is awful.

A montage of Kayleigh writing a novel and Christmas things happen. (Toasting marshmallows, building snowmen and making cooking. You know, the standard stuff.) Tripp submits the novel against her wishes, and Kayleigh feels betrayed.

Kayleigh decides to stay in town and gets a round of applause. She tells Dan that she doesn’t want to be with him. Tripp shows up, and she does want to be with him. She forgives him when he gives her and Stephen their jobs back. They dance and then kiss.

Side Note

The Goo Goo Dolly “This is Christmas” #AD is featured at the end of the movie.

Minority Report: Gena, Ben,

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Overall rating

🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)

🍷🍷 (2 glasses of wine required.)