Jolly Good Christmas (2022 Hallmark)
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Cast: Will Kemp, Reshma Shetty, Callum Blue
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
David is an American architect who recently moved to London for a prime opportunity in a prestigious firm. With just three days before Christmas, he crosses paths with Anji, a professional shopper, who raises an eyebrow over his choice of a gift card for his girlfriend. David ultimately decides to hire Anji and, thanks to a series of unexpected events, finds himself on a wild adventure across jolly old London as Anji helps him search for the perfect present.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Hallmark is forking out the dough for <a href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GNVL158?tag=lifetimeuncor-20″ title=”Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney” alt=”Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney”>Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney</a>
It is a fitting choice since American Architect David is spending his first Christmas in London. (Hence the title of the movie.) While downtown David repeatedly bumps into a woman carrying a large stuffed animal and many shopping bags. Her name is Anji, and she is a personal shopper. She shames him for getting his girlfriend a gift card for the holiday. David tries to explain the gift card, but everyone on the double-decker bus agrees with Anji.
David’s girlfriend is actually his boss’s daughter, Charlotte. Charlotte, who is very posh, also wants David to meet her family for Christmas. Which adds a lot of pressure to a high-stakes developing deal that David has been assigned. David talks with a co-worker, Callum, who encourages him to put his best foot forward with the family. He warns that David should NOT get Charlotte a gift card under any circumstance. (Callum did the same thing for his husband Ethan and has never lived it down.)
Anji realizes that she mixed up shopping bags with David and tracks him down. When they literally bump into one another again, David hires her to find the perfect gift. Anji reluctantly agrees after he offers to pay her double her rate. Anji starts her questionnaire to get to know who she is shopping for, and David doesn’t know most of the answers. He becomes worried that he doesn’t know what gift to get Charlotte.
Speaking of Charlotte, she runs into David and Anji while shopping. She becomes suspicious of what her boyfriend is doing with a beautiful woman. When Anji starts asking questions to try to figure out Charlotte better, Charlotte gets even more inquisitive.
On their way out of the store, David and Anji are stopped for stealing merchandise. David tries to explain it was a mistake due to absentmindedness and returns the bracelet. Cue a chase scene through the streets of London. It is cute and a good way to see the city! They end up in a Christmas market and talk about Christmas traditions and childhood growing up.
Big Ben interrupts the conversation, and Anji and David continue shopping through the charming storefronts. Anji stops at one of her favorite stores, and the shop owner shows her a pen that she wants to buy when she writes her first book. It is about how to find the perfect gift. She is having trouble with the ending. As he is thinking, he falls into a pond and misses a very important meeting.
David borrows a suit from his co-worker and plans to crash a gala event with Anji and her friend Nalini. They plan to waltz (literally) over to the client and charm him into having the meeting at the party. The plan goes awry when Anji’s purse gets stuck on a Christmas tree. Charlotte is also at the party and catches them in a compromising position. She leaves in a huff and tells her parents what happened. They disapprove of David’s treatment of Charlotte and for missing the meeting.
David wants to go home and sleep off his anxiety, but Anji’s car is towed, and his keys are in the trunk. With nowhere to go, Anji takes David to her parent’s restaurant. David plays darts with Anji’s mom while Anji is pressured to take over the restaurant by her father.
It is quite the day, and David is offered a place to stay. He declines and thanks Anji for the day he needs. He kisses her on the cheek and leaves awkwardly. He gives the gift card to her parents to thank them for their hospitality.
The following day, David meets up with Charlotte, and they break up. Before she goes, she gives David his Christmas gift… a gift card. Then David quits his job as well. Then he finds a gift for Anji and leaves it at her parent’s restaurant anonymously. It is the pen. David leaves a note and tells her that he hopes she writes her happy ending.
David’s boss shows up a Callum and Ethan’s house and tells David that his speech about a work-life balance inspired the client, and they got the deal.
David and Anji meet by Big Ben as the clock strikes 12. They make a wish together and then embrace with a kiss.
One year later, Anji’s book is released for shoppers to buy.
Side Note
The London setting made this one feel extra special. Loved that this movie was just a story of two people finding love in London during the holidays.
Minority Report: Anji, Mel, Sirish, Nalini, Ethan, and Callum.
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Christmas Trees represent the Christmas vibes.
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
🎄🎄🎄🎄 (4 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 (5 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
*Photo Credit: © 2022 Hallmark Crown Media
Live tweet along with @LifetimeUncork using the hashtag #JollyGoodChristmas
Tweet
I love Hallmark Christmas movies for all their sappy, cheese, predictable goodness, but did they have to have the main character westernize her name? It’s totally unnecessary. My daughter’s name is Anjalie and we were so happy to see some representation on TV. I had to debrief her about loving her name and her culture after watching that movie together. It was such a missed opportunity and such an easy thing to do. I really don’t understand tv sometimes. Why even try to represent another culture if you’re just going to show the ways people are assimilating just to make it easier for the western world. It’s ridiculous.
Signed,
Ajhantha Jayabalasingham
And no, I’ve never westernized or shortened my name.