I'm already falling off the pace as I had to watch this movie split over two days. And this blog is a few days late. Christmas will be enjoyed at it's own pace this year I just hope I don't get to Christmas Eve and have to spend 9 hours watching Hallmark movies that day because look they have a certain charm - but ONLY a certain charm.
Anyway today it's
LUCKY CHRISTMAS
In Which - A single mother's winning lottery ticket is nowhere to be found after her car is stolen - she must try to find it back (and possibly fall in love with the thief!) before the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve!
The setup of this one really made me question wow, how are they going to justify the Mom falling for such a Bad Boy who would steal her car? But it's all mostly a comedy of non-malicious errors - her car is "borrowed" by the comic relief friend of the Main Guy when his truck is impounded, and by the time they try to return it it's been reported as stolen with the lottery ticket inside! Talk about a CRISIS!
- The First Act of this movie didn't really draw me in. Unique setup aside, nothing was really compelling in terms of the characters and the pacing was a little draggy
- Also in trying to paint the characters as flawed and desperate though well-meaning people, the writing makes them mostly come off as jerks through the first half of the movie.
- Single Mom is a wannabe chef with big dreams of owning a cafe - also her 12 year old son Max sounds like he's going through auto-tune puberty - maybe his voice changed halfway through filming and they had to digitally synthesize his voice. It's kind of in the audio uncanney valley.
- There is a certain charm in Hallmark movies of the actors struggling to remember and delivery their awkwardly written lines, which makes their performances (sometimes) come across as natural and realistic.
- Act Two gets much better. The Main Dude is trying to find a way to return the lottery ticket secretly to the Single Mom, and he sets up meet cutes and some flirty flirt that turns into some genuine feelings on both sides. He bonds over hockey with Max as well! Further proof these movies are all shot in Canada.
- It's nice when supporting characters get right to the point and tell main characters they are being stupid / have trust issues / are making terrible decisions. I like that economy of writing.
- The Main Dude works for his brother in construction but also secretly has an architecture degree and wants to build stuff with recycled materials and green energy? That's cool but also why does he launch a website with his designs that looks T E R R I B L E? Don't you tell me you're suddenly getting "lots of hits and even some orders!" on that janky-ass website. I refuse to believe it.
- Everything falls apart at just over an hour in when the Single Mom realizes the Main Dude was the one who (accidentally?) stole her car. It feels pretty justifiable. Honesty is the best policy kids!
- But, in a matter of 20 minutes, he finds a way to win back her heart through methods such as helping Single Mom's son with the local derby car race, doing some free design work for her someday-cafe, and...installing an incredibly gaudy light display on her landlord's front lawn? Desperate times call for desperate measures I guess.
Best Quotes
Single Mom: "Don't buy lottery tickets...they'll break your heart."
Convenience Store Owner: "She's right - buy Double A batteries instead! We're having a Super Sale!"
"It's Christmas. Get over it! Go find him!"
"I love you too, Holly"
"Are you sure you're not just saying that because I won the lottery, Mike?"
Mike: "Nervous Laughter"
*End of Movie*
I give this one 5 out of 10 Lottery Tickets.
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