The Finnish Line (2024 Hallmark Channel)
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Cast: Kim Matula, Beau Mirchoff, Nichole Sakura
Director: Dustin Rikert
Writer(s): John Bellina, Nicole Drespel, Talia Gonzalez, Andrew Gernhard, Dustin Rikert
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Synopsis (via Hallmark)
Inspired by her father’s acclaimed legacy in dog sled racing, Anya (Matula) decides to follow in his footsteps. After his passing, she heads to Finland to participate in the 40th annual Joulurauha race, her father’s final race where he fell short of the victory. Following an injury to her lead dog during the qualifying race, Anya finds herself partnered with a new canine companion owned by journalist and former racer Cole, (Mirchoff) who aims to pen a story about her journey. Struggling to build trust with her new dog and facing her father’s rival, Monty, (Páll Sigþór Pálsson, Mr. Murphy) Anya must navigate many challenges as she strives to win the race.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Anya is from a long line of dog racers. She goes to her father’s home country of Finland with her best friend (and sled designer) Elyse. They are there to claim the dog sledding championship her father won 40 years ago.
At the welcome party for all the racers, Anya meets the other competitors. There is one guy who is rude as hell and taunts Anya, thinking she is an influencer. Anya tells him off and is quick with a comeback. A handsome man named Cole makes friends with Anya and shows her his dog. She likes him until she finds out he is press.
The jerk racer cuts Anya off at the starting line for the qualifiers and injures her lead dog. She worries that she will have to scratch, but Elyse and Anya’s cousin, Lavi, won’t let her leave without jumping back in the race.
With some downtime, Lavi shows them around Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, and brags about Santa being from his home country. They go to Santa’s house, and Anya sits on his lap and wishes to keep competing in the race. Cole sees her sitting on Santa’s lap and tells her he can get Anya back into the race. Cole offers his dog for Anya to use; her name is Rue. The officials aren’t in favor of the last min change, so Anya pimps Cole into writing a story about her for exposure to the sport.
Cole takes Anya for an ice bath in the snow, and then they hit up the sauna. They say it is a Finnish tradition, but I think it is an excuse to see Beau Mirchoff shirtless. (He has the perfect body. No OVER muscular or cutting down, looking at you, Hot Frosty Guy.)
Anya introduces Rue to her dogs, and they seem like a fit. Cole, Lavi, and Elyse celebrate as Anya practices with her new dogsled team.
The movie takes a break from the race to focus on some Christmas things. Anya makes Joulutorttu while Cole tells her about a book he is writing about losing. Anya tells Cole that she likes his writing. They dance around to Finnish Christmas music with all of Anya’s cousins. (She has a lot of them.) Lavi and Elyse are totally vibing, BTW. When she asks him out, Levi becomes very awkward and rushes off.
The race continues and is as suspenseful as they could make it.
In between legs, they all go to an ice bar. (A bar made of ice.) They also eat gingerbread with blue cheese. Anya takes everyone to ride a one-reindeer open sleigh, and Cole is deathly afraid of them. Elyse and Levi are partnered together and still trying to overcome the awkwardness of the other night. After a snowstorm alert pushes the race back, they all get drunk and make up… and make out.
The race is back on, and Anya is stressed out. Her friends try to hype her up, but Anya feels the pressure of letting her dead family down. She tells the mean guy, Monty, off and returns to her sassy-winning self.
The racers band together when Mean Monty crashes his sled, and Anya stops to help. She almost falls off a cliff, and the others pull her to safety. Now that they are on an even playing field, Anya takes the lead and crosses the Finnish line!!! Her cousins cheer Anya on and the press are all up in Anya’s face. Anya wants to see Cole tho!!!
Cole works on his story and has trouble focusing. He rushes out to look for Anya, and they make out while making racing and dog metaphors. It’s not the MOST romantic, but we will deal.
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
Charming leads and a different type of story made this one of my Christmas season favs!
I could have had more Christmas like we couldn’t decorate the sleds more.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 glasses of wine.)
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*Photo Credit: © 2024 Hallmark
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