Candy Cane Candidate (2021 Lifetime)
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Cast: Jacky Lai, Jake Epstein
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Synopsis (via Lifetime)
Natural-born leader Julia (Lai) returns to her hometown of North Falls for Christmas to drown her sorrows in eggnog, cookies, and Yuletide after her recent political campaign for city council ended in a landslide loss. It’s the perfect place for Julia’s holiday escape — until she realizes coming home means running into her old high school rival, Parker (Epstein), the arrogant know-it-all who beat her in a race for senior class president. When the North Falls mayor resigns, the town holds an emergency election, and Julia and Parker find themselves once again facing off. But as Julia and Parker campaign their way through the Christmas season and plan a toy drive together, Julia begins to see a different side of Parker, and the ice between them slowly begins to thaw. As their political race comes to a head, Julia and Parker discover winning isn’t everything. (2021)
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Julia is moving forward from her failed campaign for City Council Member. She plans to run in the general election next year, after going to her hometown from the big city. (She is also offered a position for a Green initiative company.)
Parker, a high school rival of Julia’s, has been helping her parents with Christmas things since Julia has been busy with the campaign. He knocks Julia over with a Christmas tree, and they have witty banter.
When Julia finds out Parker is running for mayor unopposed. She can’t let that happen. She volunteers to run against Parker on a whim. Julia’s mom is concerned with the rash decision and asks her daughter if it is what she really wants. Julia says that it would be good for her.
Julia and her family (and Parker) inexplicably play Pictionary. Afterward, Julia and Parker talk about the Christmas Eve election, and he wants to plan a joint party.
At a campaign event, Jax and Noah start to flirt. While Julia and Parker do the same.
Parker’s true passion isn’t really politics; he runs the local rec center, which is rundown. When Julia sees the bad shape that the gym is in, she comes up with a campaign event to bring attention to the needed repairs.
You can’t have politics on TV without a debate! Parker makes impassioned speeches about focusing on the people, not the politics. Julie, meanwhile, talks about her bringing her experience to the town.
It is suddenly election day. Parker and Julia vote together for the photo op, and then Julia heads to her interview. Parker finds out about the interview and feels betrayed.
At her interview, a phoneless Julia talks to Gwen. Julia does the discussion and only has a few days to tell her if she will take the job. Julia gets dressed up for the party and rushes back to town. She finds everyone at the town barn because the high school lost power. Parker decks out the barn with Christmas decorations and impresses Julia.
Julia wins the election and brings her experience with green energy to the town. Parket congratulates his opponent and admits that he voted for her. Everyone dances and parties. Jax and Noah even kiss.
Julia shares her high school list of relationship PROS and CONS list for dating Parker. They kiss and she tells him that she is here to stay not just because of the election, but also because of him.
Side Note
Minority Report: Julia, Reporter, Lucy, Jax, Noah,, Mayor, Mom, and Dad,
Gay TEEN romance? Young me would have loved this storyline back in the day.
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Christmas Trees represent the Christmas vibes. *** I’ve updated the rating system. Wine is 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: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
*Photo Credit: © 2021 Lifetime
Live tweet along with @LifetimeUncork using the hashtag #CandyCaneCandidate #ItsAWonderfulLifetime
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