Release Date: Dec. 4, 2021, 8/7c
Movie: A Lot Like Christmas
Network: GAC Family
Starring: Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell
Synopsis: Jessica Roberts (Lawson) owns the most popular Christmas tree lot in the picturesque New England town of Hudson Springs. But when big city marketing employee, Clay Moore (Russell), moves a “Big Box” store into the area and starts selling trees too, Jasmine finds her business in jeopardy. As their professional competition escalates, Jasmine and Clay run into another complication — they begin falling for each other.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2
⚠🛑 Disclaimer: This review may contain spoilers.
Review:
The newest GACFamily movie Christmas release "A Lot Like Christmas" stars Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell. It's the old plot of a small town woman who's father recently died and she is running her family tree lot. The tree lot and their business is in jeopardy when the big wig from the city moves a big box store into the area and starts selling trees too. The two meet at the tree lot while Clay (Russell) is checking out his competition. He doesn't tell Jessica (Lawson) who he works for. They eventually go on a date and his secret is revealed pretty early on in the movie, which is probably the only unique thing to other plot lines like this one. Anyway what follows is continued interest in each other with some friendly competition to win customers. Jessica eventually loses the tree lot, changes the whole direction of her business, and Clay decides that after one week he is going to quit his bigwig job and live in the small town with his new love.
So as I mentioned before the plot was definitely not unique. This plot is so over done when it comes to Christmas movies. The only difference with this one is that who Clay really is, is revealed very early on the movie. I enjoyed the little competition that they both had with trying to one up each other. I felt it was fun and interesting. What I didn't like was how rushed the movie was at the end to try and wrap everything up into a neat bow. So she ended up losing the family business and had a heart to heart with her mom about her future. Then 10 seconds later she is closing the gates to go home and then it so happens that some random couple pulls over and asks if the farm hosts weddings? It was in that split second that she decides that the rest of her life, her business will host events? A bit rushed don't you think? Having said that, if she truly did think of everything to save her family farm, why didn't she think of such a wonderful idea to begin with? This just didn't make any sense to me and it all happened in under 3 minutes.
The chemistry between Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell was good. It wasn't electric but it was good. Their characters so clearly liked each other and the witty back and forth banter is endearing. You could see their interest and then their realization that they were in conflict with each other so their quick back and forth dialogue was brilliant. I wanted to highlight a couple of those moments that were laugh out loud worthy.
Clay - I wanted you to like me for who I am instead of prejudging me for who I work for.
Jessica - The Death star you mean?
Cue Star Wars dramatic music
End Scene
Clay - I have to warn you. I’m not one to lose but I wish you the best of luck anyway.
Jessica - You too…that’s a nice shirt. Very good colour on you
Clay - Oh I think it’s lilac
Jessica walks away.
End Scene
The movie isn't unique by any means but the chemistry between the two leads and their banter is worth the watch.
Did you watch this movie? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.