Movie: Christmas Movie Magic
Network: Lifetime
Starring: Holly Deveaux, Drew Seeley,
Synopsis: Alli Blakeman is an entertainment writer who learns that movie magic isn't always just on-screen after she discovers the mysterious origins of a classic Christmas movie.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚠🛑 Disclaimer: This review may contain movie spoilers
Review:
New Hollywood meets old Hollywood in this movie. Bravo. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Especially the last 10 minutes of it!
Alli is a newspaper journalist who is looking for a winning article to land a promotion. While researching an old movie and its origin, Alli finds a love letter and she embarks on a mission to find out who was the real love that inspired the song in the movie. It also happens to be the anniversary of the movie so the grandson of the owner of the theatre where the movie premiered helps her investigate the mystery, as well as makes plans to celebrate the movie in hopes of resurrecting some life into the old theatre and the town.
This movie was so different then your typical Hallmark/Lifetime movie. It combined new Hollywood with old Hollywood and did it so well. The first 5 minutes of the story, and in particular the first introduction of Alli (Deveaux) is brutal, but if you can get through that then you will embark on an amazing journey. True there are some other things you need to look past, like some mediocre acting, but overall this movie will not disappoint you. The plot is so unique and they intertwine present day with the 50s so well, even in the last scene which amazed me. The movie gave me old Hollywood vibes and I loved it. True the mystery was obvious to me quite early on but that didn't bother me.
Chemistry between Seely and Deveaux was pretty good albeit some scenes seemed a bit forced but I kind of pushed that aside once they entered the last 10-15 minutes of the movie. It was then that they shined and did what they did best. Seeley just busted out in song and for the next 10 minutes you were immersed in a singing/dancing routine reminiscent of 50s complete with costuming. Honestly this is where Drew Seeley shined for me as he was in his element. He looked like he was born to live in the 50s. He seemed at home in the suit and hat, dancing and signing like Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. This 10-15 minute escape really made this movie spectacular. In fact they could have honestly just done more of these segments, made the entire movie a musical and I would have probably made this a 5 star movie.
Honestly this movie is worth the watch. Even if you just watched the last 10-15 minutes of the movie you won't be disappointed. I know I've watched that at least 20 times by now.
Did you watch this movie? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.