Last year I watched exactly 25 Christmas movies for the first time ever. Some of them were new while others considered classics by many that had people wondering what in God’s name was wrong with me for never seeing them. Truth is before last year I never bothered watching them other than the handful of iconic flicks pretty much everyone’s seen. Anyway, I changed that last year and I’m back at for 2022. Just watched my first of what’ll be many Christmas flicks the season and so we’re clear, it’s November so THIS IS INDEED now Christmas season (save that post-Thanksgiving nonsense for someone else). I watched “Jolly Good Christmas” from the Hallmark Channel, which just dropped this past October 29th. Because it’s literally just days old I’ll keep my takes on it to the non-spoiler variety.
PROS: It pretty much checks all the Hallmark Channel style Xmas movie boxes: Insanely predictable but who cares because it’s cute, cheesy and romantic. I hated the female star (Anji) saying “Happy Christmas” throughout the movie but it admittedly ties in well at the end---PS: Anji’s absolutely gorgeous. Also, there’s a great message to be had about the perfect gift. Lastly, movies like this make Christmas season seem so ridiculously cool in London, which is where Jolly Good Christmas takes place. Like seriously, a Christmas in London is entering bucket list territory for me.
CONS: Even by Hallmark Channel standards a lot of the plot is so utterly ridiculous, especially the fact that Anji, who’s absolutely gorgeous comes off as thirsty for David, who isn’t it creative enough to figure out a decent gift for his current boo thang and is buying gift cards. I did struggle a little bit to get into the film in part because it felt a bit dull. Lastly, while David’s an American it didn’t feel like he was in a foreign country the way the story was told. I can’t really say much more without giving spoilers away and again, this flick is literally brand new so most haven’t seen it.
VERDICT: Honestly, Jolly Good Christmas is a pretty good flick and a nice little escape. You’ll hear me beat this drum constantly when saying happy endings for Christmas movies is a necessity for me. I ain’t trying to feel traumatized watching a movie focused on the holidays. Also, if it’s a Christmas movie the holiday better be a central theme of the production and not a bit part or cosmetic prop. Jolly Good Christmas delivers here big on both counts---it gives me the ending I want and it feels like Christmas literally throughout. Look, don’t micro-analyze ridiculous plot points when it comes to flicks like this, simply enjoy it—and this was pretty enjoyable. Not an essential Christmas film by any means but definitely worth the watch. GRADE: C