As the holiday season approaches, many of us find comfort in the familiar glow of Christmas movies. In 2019, a delightful addition to this genre emerged: "A Christmas Movie Christmas." This film cleverly parodies the very tropes that have become synonymous with festive films—think small-town charm, unexpected romances, and heartwarming family reunions. It’s as if it took all those beloved clichés and wrapped them up in a shiny bow before playfully unwrapping them for our amusement.
Picture two sisters navigating their less-than-ideal holiday season; they suddenly find themselves living inside a Christmas movie. The result? A whimsical journey filled with over-the-top characters like the mean boss and sweet grandma alongside romantic entanglements involving ex-girlfriends—all while gently poking fun at these well-worn narratives.
One reviewer noted how much they enjoyed seeing every cliché rolled out for gentle mockery without becoming too snarky or cynical. Instead of feeling tired by predictable plot points, viewers found joy in recognizing these elements as part of an affectionate homage to traditional holiday fare. As one viewer put it succinctly: "If you get it, you get it; if you don’t, you don’t.”
The performances also garnered mixed reviews but generally leaned towards positive sentiments about the lead actors' chemistry—particularly between real-life couple Kimberly Daugherty and Brant Daugherty who co-wrote and starred in the film together. Their playful banter felt genuine enough to keep audiences engaged even when some parts fell flat narratively.
What stands out is how this film doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still manages to evoke warmth—a tricky balance that many attempts at parody often miss. While there are certainly moments where pacing falters or certain plot threads feel underdeveloped (like dream love interests appearing post-reality), overall it's hard not to smile through its runtime.
In an era where so many holiday films cling tightly to formulaic plots drenched in sentimentality—or worse yet focus solely on commercialism—"A Christmas Movie Christmas" offers something refreshingly different: a lighthearted critique of what we’ve come to expect from seasonal cinema without losing sight of what makes those stories enjoyable in the first place.