T&K's Xmas (2020) Advent Calendar: Day 16 - The Christmas House

2020, Michael Grossman, Lance Robbins () -- download

Yup, its confirmed, despite only knowing him from iZombie, I rather like Robert Buckley. He's handsome, charming and a sincere sounding everyman, well the Hollywood idealized version of one. That shot in the far-too-tight tshirt proves he ain't and every man.

OK, after the fake-out start with us seeing Mike (Buckley) in his Handsome Justice TV show, we are invited to his PST by his parents, who are resurrecting The Christmas House after a 20 years hiatus. Can something that was abandoned 20 years ago really be called a tradition? Anywayz, Mike is amazed they are going to do it, as it usually takes months to setup, and Mom & Dad want to do it in two weeks. AND Mike's brother Brandon, and his husband Jake, will be coming Home for Xmas, to help.

There we go, Hallmark (as this is a proper Hallmark movie) does queer inclusion. Not main characters, but still, it's a start, right? But was there even a single BIPOC person in the movie? Nada. Had to make sacrifices to get in the gays, I guess.

Anywayz, Mike comes home to PST wherein Mom begins her regimental duties of setting up the Christmas House. WTF is a Christmas House, you ask? Well, think of the Grizwald's overdone house, but not just outside, but inside as well. Every room will have a theme, and neighbourhood kids will be invited. So, the Xmas Event of the movie is in their own home. Think about it; it's been 20 years since this was last done, so most of the attendees will never have heard of or seen it before. Kinda weird. And expensive. Oh those PST families and their higher income brackets!

Living right next door is Mike's old childhood magic act partner Andi, who was also the crush of his life, whom he never got together with, after a failed attempt to give her a (magic) gift under a mistletoe. So, sparks ignite, but the two are not drawn to each other. Mike has a flagging but popular TV show, which he and his agent are fighting to keep alive. Mom & Dad have some weird sort of tension going on, which is revealed to being them putting the family home up for sale -- they are kind of breaking up. And Brandon & Jake are dealing with their own drama, waiting on the news for their latest adoption attempt. So, stress all around, and this might be the last chance to have an Xmas like they did as kids, as a full family, in the house.

Andi is a single mom (just divorced, no Dead Dad), and a realtor, who takes on the listing of Mom & Dad's house. Her son Noah shows interest in Majestic Mike's once magic act, and the two begin bonding over it. Starved for make role model affection, and all that. Mixed into that is the weird owner of the town magic shop, and his weird fake accent, and his weird desire to buy the house. Magic Shop Owner is just weird all about, and in another movie, we might suspect him of .... scrrrtch... Hallmark movie! Wholesome!

Light Romance Movie stuff continues, including Mike doing a quick commercial (with Noah) for Andi's business, which brings both tension and a boost in business for her. While the two are obviously attracted to each other, Mike still is a Hollywood TV star who intends on returning to LA. Also, Mom & Dad are sad, mainly Mom, because she felt left out after Dad retired and actually found things to do, outside of the house, that didn't involve Mom. Seems like a rather petty reason to leave your husband, but Hallmark does as Conservative Christians do, so...

As expected, Mike has to run off to NYC on Xmas Eve to try to save his TV Show; Handsome Justice has been cancelled ! Oh noes! Majestic Mike might just have to become Magic Mike to pay the bills. And also as expected, he ends up ditching the meeting to go back home, to celebrate the Xmas Event with all the neighbourhood, including Weird Magic Store Guy who is very eager to buy the Mom & Dad house, even offering cash up front. Who carries around a couple of million dollars cash, to buy a house?? Also, why do they expect Magic Store Guy to have that much money. I hope Andi did a credit check on him. Meanwhile Christmas House is a big success, and is pretty nifty looking. Noah does a big magic show event involving Andi and Mike (but no Andi red dress...) and all is well in the world.

Christmas Day! Apparently Magic Store Guy backed out of house deal at the very last second, on Xmas Eve. What an anti-Claus!! BUT BUT, they have a new offer, and that happens to be MIKE ! Handsome Justice is now part of a NYC city based spin-off, and he can commute from the PST to NYC for shoots. Also, Mom & Dad are not breaking up, and will buy a fixer-upper and work on it together. Also, Brandon and Jake are getting a baby! And Tiny Tim doesn't die! Xmas Miracles all around! 

As we wind out, we see the family that Mike and Andi have established, wearing match matchy red PJs and enjoying the new (ongoing) tradition of the Christmas House. And we get a body spray ad.

The Draw: Honestly, because Kent's post was so much fun, and because Robert Buckley. This just proves that his charm and easy going manner was not just Major Lillywhite from iZombie, but himself. Also of note, is that he was exec producing and writing. I will have to look into his further Hallmarkie flicks.

The Formulae: This is pretty straight forward, being a pure Hallmark Channel movie: Big City Guy coming home to the PST in Upstate NY. The Xmas Event is the centre of the entire movie. At this point, Fake Snow is becoming a trope I will have to add in, and its pretty prevalent here, if decently done. There was the Brief Run Away and just as quick Return. And I have to be loud about this being part of the formula, but the severe lack of BIPOC characters was pretty strong in this one. C'mon Buckley, flex those muscles and be more inclusive, not just token gays. And no, I don't think Andi being latinx applies as inclusivity in America, but maybe they do?

P.S. How does the POSTER formula? I hadn't caught how pretty much every Hallmark Xmas movie poster of late has to be dominated by red, gold and green.

See this post on Twitter.

Unformulae: Well, for one, we have both parents! And Andi's ex was also not dead. Not Dead People is a good break from formula. Also, Gay People. 

True Calling? Well the whole movie is about setting up the Christmas House, so yeah.

The Rewind: Well, just like Kent, I did have to another peek at the Xmas Dessert, which look mysteriously like Timbits. But it turns out, there is a traditional latin dessert called a buñuelo, which is a doughy fritter, much like a Timbit in some instances. So, attempt at authenticity? 

The Regulars: As Kent pointed out, many of them have done a few, but not a whole lot. 

How does it Hallmark? I consider this Hallmark+ in that its a cliche Hallmark style story, but was more than the average of charming. Might even watch it again.

How does it movie? Despite being a cut above the norm for Hallmark, I wouldn't go so far as saying this is normal movie fare. Normal? Theatre release? Maybe general TV movie level? That almost seems insulting.