A Holiday in Harlem (2021 Hallmark)
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Cast: Olivia Washington, Will Adams,
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
After her grandmother, Mama Belle, turns away her usual gift delivery, expecting “presence over presents,” jetsetting executive Jazmin heads uptown to Harlem for a quick visit. However, when Mama Belle is injured, Jazmin agrees to stay in the neighborhood and take over co-chairing their block’s annual Christmas Jamboree with her old best friend Caleb. A successful corporate fixer, Jazmin expects the job to be easy but quickly finds that she has a lot to learn about the community and her heart. Starring Olivia Washington, Will Adams and Tina Lifford.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts in Harlem at Christmas time. Mama Belle Green is a pillar in the neighborhood. She receives a package from her granddaughter, but she rejects it because she doesn’t want gifts. She wants to see her in person.
Her granddaughter, Jazmin, meets a co-worker for drinks in the city while waiting for a flight to the Virgin Islands and receives a notice about the rejected package. When she calls her Grandmother to make sure everything is okay, Jazmin is guilted to come home to Harlem for the Christmas Jamboree. (Before her flight that she is definitely going to miss.)
Once she is in Harlem, she runs into her former best friend, Caleb, who is a veteran and has been helping Mama Belle. They have sparks for sure.
At Yuletide Yoga, led by Mama Bella, Jazmin falls over in Dancer Pose on to Mama Belle. With her Grandmother injured, Jazmin realizes that she is going to have to cancel her flight and take care of her Grandmother. (Oh, and also co-chair the Christmas Jamboree with Caleb.)
Jazmin’s parents are also in town for Christmas, but she seems to be avoiding them and throwing herself into planning the Christmas Jamboree. She creates an org chart and assigns the planning committee new jobs that fit their personalities. They don’t take kindly to the change, so Caleb steps in and saves Jazmin from an awkward situation.
At the local YMCA, Jazmin runs into her father. He needs to talk to her about something, but they are interrupted by Santa playing basketball. Later, Caleb and Jazmin flirt while playing basketball.
Caleb and Jazmin go to dinner together. She tells him that she is leaving town after the Jamboree; Caleb agrees that it is just dinner as friends and not a date. The restaurant owner wants his place to be the spot for Christmas Jamboree and gets Jazmin to agree with him. Then he uses it against her and creates a restaurant rebellion.
At a poetry reading, Jazmin learns that her parents are back together. Jazmin seems unhappy with the news and avoids them focusing on the Christmas event.
Mamma Bella thinks how they select the restaurant is a good idea and asks Jazmin to taste test all of them. (Haha, wow! I’d do that job)
A fashion ball happens, but then Jazmin goes off-plan and decides to go off plan and decides to throw a block party in TWO DAYS!
Somehow she pulls it off, but not without getting into a fight with Caleb when she suggests upgrading his store. To add insult to injury, no one shows up to the street festival. (Maybe because it is DECEMBER and OUTSIDE.)
A DJ turns the party around, and the whole block dances in the street. Just as it seems that things are turning around, Mama Belle interrupts and asks Jazmin point blank what her plans are with Caleb. Jazmin leaves the party early to think about what she is going to do.
Christmas day, Jazmin enjoys time with her family making mac and cheese. So naturally, we have a Mac N Cheese montage. While cooking Jaz tells her family about her job promotion as “Vice President of North America.”
With only two mins to go, Jazmin has family dinner, prays, and THEN has a heart-to-heart with Caleb. They kiss the end.
Side Note
Minority Report: Jazmin, Caleb, Mama, Sam, Amy, Eric, Coach,
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Christmas Trees represent the Christmas vibes. *** I’ve updated the rating system. Wine is my overall enjoyment (NOT a value judgment) on a 1-5 scale.
I will use the following tags for those who want to know if they should watch or skip: Pour it Up (Would Recommend) or Put A Cork In It (Would Not Recommend).
Overall rating
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄🎄 (3 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷 (1 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
*Photo Credit: © 2021 Hallmark Crown Media
Live tweet along with @LifetimeUncork using the hashtag #AHolidayinHarlem #CountdownToChristmas
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