Reindeer Games Homecoming (2022 Lifetime)
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Cast: Sarah Drew, Justin Bruening, Brian Sills
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Synopsis (via Lifetime)
MacKenzie Graves (Drew,) is a brilliant, competitive, crossword-puzzle-loving biology teacher in Vermont who recently lost her father, beloved fire chief and the heart of the town’s holiday fundraising tradition the Reindeer Games. Every year since his death, she competes with her dad’s former team, a group of colorful retired firefighters, to win the Games and keep his tradition alive. This holiday however, her world is rocked when fading Hollywood star, and Mac’s high school crush, Chase Weston (Bruening) comes home for Christmas to visit his pregnant sister and nephew and is begrudgingly roped into participating in the Games. When the opportunity to compete against her former megacrush arises, Mac is determined to show him up and win the Kris Kringle Cup at all costs. As the competition heats up, so does the spark between Mac and Chase, and Chase soon finds himself eager to not only win the games, but also to win her heart.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
MacKenzie or Mac runs through the town and knows everyone. She is training for the Reindeer Games, a tradition that her father started years ago. She runs in his memory.
Meanwhile, movie star hunk Chase Weston is looking for his next role and is constantly on the phone with his agent Terri. He inexplicably goes back to his hometown and heads right to the high school, where MacKenzie is a cool science teacher. Chase is confused because she had different aspirations back in high school.
Simon, Mac’s co-worker and longtime friend is super excited that Chase is back in town. Simon’s husband is a big fan of Chase Weston’s movie. He is pushing for a Mac and Chase romance from the get-go!
Mac visits her father’s friends and takes shots in her dad’s honor. Then they play cards. They are on a team together for the Reindeer Games. Which kicks off with Polar Plunge. Chase is the last min entry when his nephew needs a replacement. Chase strips down to his boxers, which causes a crowd member to faint. (AKA it’s me!)
Mac overhears Chase talking on the phone with his agent, who is ignoring him.
The next task of the Reindeer Games is to make costumes that are inspired by A Christmas Carole. Chase asks for help, but she says she isn’t the same girl with braces and glasses that she was in high school.
They dress up and do a race on the track; Mac’s team wins. Afterward, everyone wants to take pictures with Chase, and Mac gets stuck taking the photos. They sneak away to the makeout room, which is the announcer box on the football field, for a heart-to-heart.
Throughout the movie, Mac carries a letter that her father wrote her before he died. It is a Christmas tradition they shared. When Chase asks her about the letter, she admits that she hasn’t been able to even open the letter.
Mac talks about when her father died and how she gave up her med school dreams to move back to town and found her passion in teaching. The tender moment is interrupted by Chase’s sister going into labor.
Sarah Drew goes back into medical drama mode here, spitting out vitals like a pro. Some nice comedic moments on the ride to the hospital as well. (Like the kid with a learner’s permit driving the car.)
Mac and Chase share a Christmas kiss. (Which is blocked by a big lifetime banner!) The next morning, Mac pills the news to Simon, who is thrilled and thinks it might just be destined to be.
Chase tells Mac that he doesn’t care about his next movie; he wants to spend his time with her. Mac is worried that he is just caught up in the moment. He promises that he is in it for her, and they kiss some more. (With a lift this time!)
Never heard of ball hockey, but that is the next thing in the Reindeer Games. The match is interrupted by Terri; she shows up with good news. Terri tells Chase to not fall for the local librarian. He got a three-picture deal and a huge film. Mac overhears the conversation and gets mad; she goes for a goal-making shot but hits Chase in the head, sending him to the ER. (And the fainting fan screams for Chase and faints again. I love her.)
Mac realizes that it is time to read the letter and asks Chase to help her. When they open it, the handwriting is scary! Why did the dad write in magic marker?!?! He tells his daughter that he was lucky to be her dad, and he encourages her to live life to the fullest and love big. Mac decides to go after her medical aspirations and tells Chase to do the movie.
Everyone tells Chase that he is an idiot for letting Mac go. They all agree to help him get Mac back.
Simon is the first to help out, ensuring Mac is dressed for the occasion. He tells her that it is Christmas Eve and she needs to do what he says. Then a crossword puzzle appears on her doorstep (Because she loves them.) The clues lead her to the school.
It is at the school where Mac finds a yearbook with a note from Chase telling her that he will not make the same mistake as when he was a dummy in high school.
The clues next take her to the hospital, where she next heads to the fire station where her father’s friends are waiting with another note.
Chase shows up in a suit (With no tie). He starts to talk, but she kiss attacks him. They will figure out the details later because he is ready to dive into the relationship. The friends and family cheer them on as they kiss. Simon awards Mac with the Reindeer Christmas cup!
Side Note
Minority Report: Simon, Kit, Dr, and my favorite fan girl, Alicia Alexander!
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Christmas Trees represent 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.)
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*Photo Credit: © 2022 Lifetime
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