Jingle Bell Run(2024 Hallmark Channel)
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Cast: Ashley Williams, Andrew W. Walker
Director: Lucie Guest
Writer(s): Tom McCurrie, Stephanie Sourapas
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
Avery (Williams) is an unadventurous schoolteacher whose sister secretly signs her up for The Great Holiday Dash, a Christmas-themed reality competition show where she’s paired with former hockey player Wes (Walker). Despite clashing at first, Avery’s puzzle-solving skills and Wes’ physical prowess help them excel as they travel from city to city and compete in festive feats that have a local flavor. It’s not long before a real connection between these opposites begins to blossom. But when Avery overhears a conversation between Wes and a show producer it threatens to derail their budding romance. Keeping their eyes on the prize, the duo continues to dash to the finish line but there may be a more personal adventure for them still in store.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Ashley Williams plays a school teacher named Avery, which means we are starting with many precocious children. Her fellow teachers in the teacher lounge congratulate Avery repeatedly over and over. Her best friend/sister, Ruby, signs Avery up for a knockoff of Amazing Race, The Great Holiday Race, to get her out of her rut. The grand prize is a lot of $$$, but Avery doesn’t want to be on reality TV.
Next, we meet former pro hockey athlete and aspiring juice influencer Wes. (AKA Andrew Walker.) He is selected for The Great Holiday Race and hopes it will boost his public persona.
Cue a training montage. Avery is a weak bookworm who is totally manic, and Wes is just a hunk. Avery and Wes have a mix-up over treadmills, and Avery asks him how to turn it on. Then she needs help making it stop after they get into a runoff. They both fall off the treadmill, and Wes asks Avery to leave him alone.
On the first day of filming, Avery and Wes are annoyed to see one another. Wes is also upset because another pro athlete is there. The host announces teams, and the gay guys are named “Team Fab-YULE-us.” (!!!!???) Wes and Avery are “Team Slay What” and begrudgingly pair up. They rush around Chicago to solve the clues and end up in Chicago’s “Germantown” or Lincoln Square for those in the know. (AKA me, cause I used to live there.) There, they have to crack wall nuts the fastest, and Avery and Wes are at the end of the pack.
The teams board a plane, and Wes wants Avery to become more sporty. In his opinion, she is too nice to the other contestants. Another team misses their connecting flight and is out.
The teams have to shoot a fruitcake hockey puck through a snowman. You would think Wes has this on lock, but Avery has a hard time. He gets behind her and helps her. I’ve never wanted to be Ashley Williams so bad.
The other athlete loses and is out, much to Wes’ delight.
Producer Dirk pulls Wes aside and tells him to flirt more with Avery for the ratings. He hypes him by telling Wes he is the show’s star. Wes accidentally actually connects with Avery. He talks about his rocky relationship with his brother due to jealousy over sports and regrets about not being close to his nephews. Avery just talks about being a dork and liking books.
The cast gets letters on a flight, and it inspires them to keep going.
In Texas, the groups have to line dance, and Avery is highly nervous. Wes calms her down, and they have some romantic dancing time. So does the gay couple, team Fab-YULE-us. (I’m rooting for them to tie for first!)
Avery and Wes think they are in the first place, but they drive to the wrong airport and get stuck. They have to hitchhike to New Mexico.
Oh no, I lost the thread. Suddenly, everyone was giving out Christmas gifts, and things were getting emotional. Avery and Wes have some alone time together and almost kiss, but Wes starts to feel conflicted about a showmance.
Grape smashing happens for the finals. Team Slay What and Team Fab-Yule- us, make it to the last round. Producer Dirk pulls Wes aside and tells him to REALLY sell the relationship and tell Avery that he is falling in love with her. Avery overhears the conversation and runs off. She misses him and tells Dirk he doesn’t want to jeopardize his blossoming relationship with Avery for ratings.
Avery thinks Wes is just fame-hungry and tells him she never wants to see him again when the show is finished. Dirk explains the situation to Avery and apologizes for doing his job. He tells Avery that Wes has genuine feelings for her and is manipulating the situation again. Dirk is the best producer.
It all comes down to a crossword puzzle, and Avery uses her nerd skills. They race to open presents, and Avery finds the bell and rings it. Winning millions of dollars. Avery donates the money to her school and to the other teams to make their dreams come true. Wes keeps it all for himself, just kidding; he does the same thing.
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
David James Lewis nails the Phil Keoghan impression.
Gay kiss!
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 glasses 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
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