CHRISTMAS MOVIE REVIEW: Holiday Harmony (2022)
This Movie Sucked But I See a Star Emerging
I didn’t approach this Christmas movie season intentionally watching and reviewing flicks released exclusively in 2022 but that seems to be the direction I’m headed. I just watched my eighth new Christmas flick over the past few weeks, “Holiday Harmony” ( available on HBO Max). It stars Annelise Cepero, Jeremy Sumpter and Brooke Shields (yes, the one you’ve actually heard of) and tells the story of an aspiring singer enroute to the opportunity of a lifetime before her van breaks down in an Oklahoma hick town. Hey, whatyya know—the mechanic is good looking and everything you’d pretty much expect to ensue does. Here’s my take on Holiday Harmony:
PROS: I wasn’t familiar with Annelise Cepero (Gail) before this movie by not familiar I mean I’ve never heard of her. I’ll tell you what though--- she’s far and away the best thing about this movie. She’s gorgeous, talented, charming and was about as enjoyable as humanly possible in plot drowning with ridiculousness, even by cheesy Christmas movie standards. I don’t’ think I’m understating the value she brings, as without her Holiday Harmony is pretty much unwatchable.
Also, the first 45-60 minutes were a compete snoozer but admittedly it grew on me over the second half, thanks again mainly if not exclusively to Gail.
CONS: Plenty to criticize but let’s start with what bothered me most----final 15 minutes aside I don’t think Holiday Harmony was nearly Christmasy enough. Christmas shouldn’t feel like a prop in a holiday movie! Also, casting and performances (aside from Gail) featuring Jeremy (Jeremy Stumpter) and Van (Brooke Shields) were significantly less impressive. Has Brooke Shields been good in anything since The Blue Lagoon 42 years ago?
Also, this movie also felt a huge iHeart Radio production—did they sponsor this? Lastly, I hate nitpicking family-friendly Christmas movie plots but Gail’s van getting messed up in an accident and then getting stuck in Oklahoma for weeks was absurd. She’s literally on her way to Los Angeles for the most important moment/performance of her life. Get your ass a rental or something.
VERDICT: Cepero’s the sole reason to watch this. Scenes where the focus is on her are pretty good. The rest of the storytelling though---Jeremy falling for her, Brooke Shields’ ridiculous overacting, the iHeart radio showcase crap, the kids and their musical performance, etc is pretty much a pile of crap.
To be fair, at least Holiday Harmony does a fine job hammering the meaning of home, family and what they mean in small town communities like this all over the country. I hope to see more of Cepero in the future with actual meaningful roles. I think she could become a big screen mainstay. GRADE: C-