Scouting for Christmas (2024 Hallmark Channel)
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Cast: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Carlo Marks, Marci T. House
Director: Jason Bourque
Writer(s): Ali Spuck, Casie Tabanou
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hallmark)
Angela (Mowry-Housley) has been a busy realtor since her amicable divorce a couple of years ago to Dakota (James Paladino, Lucky Hank), a paleontologist whose adventures kept him anywhere but home. Now, she is a devoted if often harried, single mom to a smart and loving 10-year-old girl, Brooklyn (Audrey Wise Alvarez, The Good Doctor). Angela’s busy schedule makes it hard for her to find time for much of anything — or anyone — else. As it is, she can barely get Brooklyn to her scout meetings on time, much to the disapproval of the other mothers. When Brooklyn gets the idea to have William (Marks), the owner of her favorite bakery, cater her scout troop’s posh annual holiday event, she asks Angela to work with him on pitching the idea to the moms in charge. Despite sensing that her daughter might be trying to play cupid, she agrees to help and finds herself enjoying time with him, but is reluctant to open her heart and life to someone new. When Dakota returns, missing her, Angela must decide what is best for her daughter and best for her heart.
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Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts at an elementary school where young Brooklyn attends. Tamera Mowry-Housley plays Angela, a realtor/single working mother trying to do everything. When Angela is late to pick up Brooklyn, the kid walks to a local bakery.
The bakery is owned by William Glass and his mother. Brooklyn is the number one client and visits the bakery often since Angelia is habitually late. Angela grabs her daughter and rushes to the next thing, a Sunny Scout meeting. (Girl Scout knockoff.) The girls are planning a big holiday ball and making invitations. The moms are petty and passive-aggressive, especially Den Mother Elizabeth.
Angela’s sister, Sarah, is around to help, so Angela isn’t alone. Sarah and Brooklyn both agree that Angela needs to go on a date. Angela is divorced and still friends with her ex-husband. They Zoom call him, and he tells Brooklyn he won’t be home for Christmas this year. Angela feels guilty for not providing her daughter with a “traditional” family, but Sarah shuts that down. Angela is a good mother.
William and Angela have another run-in at the bakery. For some reason, Angela keeps neglecting to mention her name. He aggressively flirts with her. Brooklyn makes a Christmas Wish that her mother will go to the Sunny Scout Ball with William Glass. (She even draws a picture!)
Sir-Bakes-A-Lot Bakery is up for an expansion, but William doesn’t think the timing is right. If he expanded, he wouldn’t have time to spend with Brooklyn and “Brooklyn’s mother.” Brooklyn continues her meddling and asks William to provide the baked goods to the ball. He can plan the menu with Angela. Anglea agrees to win over the mom squad, specifically Elizabeth.
Somehow, Brooklyn manages to be pushing them together while simultaneously running the romance.
William bonds with Angela over single motherhood and the sigma and pressure associated with it. (His mother was a single mother, too.) Angela takes the conversation personally, and it ends the night on an awkward note.
Elizabeth is surprised but unimpressed when Angela shows up on time at the Sunny Scout Meeting. Angela tries to pitch William, but Elizabeth is reluctant to agree because it is outside of protocol. She begrudgingly gives William and Angela a chance to impress her. (Who does she even think she is.)
William spends the day with Angela and Brooklyn. They almost end the day with a kiss. Angela stops because she is not ready. As William leaves, he sees Angel’s ex-husband walking up the stairs. Angela is reluctant to let her ex-husband, Dakota, stay with her for the night but agrees for Brooklyn’s sake.
William comes over the following day and gets the wrong idea when he meets Dakota and gets the wrong idea. William backs off because he doesn’t want to get rejected like he did in his last relationship. (She declined his engagement proposal?!?!?) He cancels a practice pitch with Angela. Instead, Angela looks over the expansion proposal. She finds some items that give William pause and advises him to say no if it doesn’t feel right.
Elizabeth invites Dakota to the holiday ball at the school pick-up. I can’t tell if she is thirsty for him or shading him. This character is WILD. Like, why are you evil and horny?
Out of nowhere, Dakota wants to get back with Angela. He kisses her at the Christmas fair, and William’s mother sees them kissing. She narrows her eyes and purses her lips so you know she will tell her son. The mother rushes to William and tells him to be honest with Angela.
The pitch happens, and Elizabeth is impressed. (even though she doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth.) Angela and William can’t get a read on Elizabeth or each other.
Elizabeth eventually declines the pitch and goes with a baker who uses animatronics. Angela breaks the news to Williams. She shows him the picture she found in the trash. Brooklyn drew this picture of them dancing at the ball. Angela promises to talk to Brooklyn about being able to make her own decisions about her love life. They get into another misunderstanding/argument.
It is the night of the ball, and the baker cancels. Elizabeth begs Angela to ask William and she agrees to ask. (With Brooklyn by her side.) They are just in time to interrupt William signing the contract. They ask William to cater the ball and Angela invites him to the ball.
NO BAKING MONTAGE
We cut right to the party . Elizabeth wears a crown and thanks Angela for saving the day.
Dakota and William watch Angela and Brooklyn dance. Dakota asks is William and Angela are “uhhh…” and William say he thinks they might be “a ummm.” (This movie is really annoying! Why is everyone so weird.)
Angela and William dance together just like the picture. She invites him to spend Christmas together and they kiss while Brooklyn watches her Christmas dream come true.
Note/Stray Thoughts
This movie made some campy choices, specifically regarding Elizabeth.
Dakota called Angela; “Angel” was annoying. She doesn’t like it and has asked you to stop. So stop.
Audrey Wise Alvarez should play young Mandy Moore in a biopic or something. They have a lot of similar acting ticks.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷 (1 glass of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
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*Photo Credit: © 2024 Hallmark
