Summary: Single mom, Maggie, is facing Christmas alone until Lucas crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected house guest. Together, they overcome Christmas while finding comfort in their growing bond.
Starring: Ashley Williams and Niall Matter
Released: 2020
Niall Matter and Ashley Williams star in Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater
Image: Crown Media
Hallmark Could Have Chosen a Better Movie Title
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater is the book that inspired this Hallmark 2020 holiday movie, which may explain why Hallmark felt stuck with the title.
The name makes no sense--we all know Maggie IS going to kiss the man in the Christmas sweater. Maybe a better headline would be, Christmas Tree Calamity or The Christmas Guest. While both cast members poke fun of their Christmas sweaters, their apparel is a side note within the movie, not the main focus.
Maggie believes there are no such thing as accidents, indicating fate has a deliberate hand in what happens. What might look like an unfortunate situation can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. In her case, ramming Lucas with a Christmas tree so that he breaks his wrist, forcing him to stay in town rather than head to Aspen for a ski trip, ends up bringing them a love they didn't expect.
When Maggie initially denies her growing feelings for Lucas to her BFF, Alyssa, she supports her decision based on the axiom about never kissing a man in a Christmas sweater. Alyssa corrects her--there is no such proverb or saying.
How many of you Googled it to see which one was right? Looks like Alyssa was the winner of that debate.
A Fairytale Look at Divorced Families at Christmas
Christmas can be a stress-filled time for many broken families. Some parents compete with gift-giving to out-do the other to try to be favorite with their kids. Children have to split their time between two different households with different sets of rules and expectations, step-parents, and step-siblings. Worst of all, the court-appointed visitation schedule means one parent is waking up on Christmas morning alone.
If you're divorced with kids, you probably have a lot of stories you could share about dealing with exes during the holidays.
Very few families exist like Maggie O' Donnell's where exes maintain an amicable relationship and the stepmom loves his kid like her own. Ellen's dad and stepmom even bring her to Maggie's Christmas program for the military kids, just to be nice. Like that ever happens!
Image: Crown Media
Hallmark does provide a realistic glimpse into Maggie's sadness from missing her daughter while she's gone, and even Ellen calls her mom and wants to come home, but ultimately, their broken family doesn't miss a beat because it's Hallmark, and everything works out in fairytale fashion!
Hallmark Shows How to Beat the Christmas Blues
Christmas is the happiest time of year, but for some people who are struggling with issues, it can be a challenging season to navigate.
Whether you have to be away from your family for the holidays, you're sick, a loved one has died, or you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can find yourself spiraling into depression. The overflowing joy of others during this time of year only magnifies your own sense of despondency.
What should you do? Wallow in misery? Hunker down until December 26 when it's all over?
Maggie knew she'd be alone for part of winter break while Ellen spent time with her dad. Rather than despair, she made plans. Plans to organize her guest house into a studio where she would paint, and plans to volunteer at the youth camp at the military base.
Hallmark set designers wowed viewers with this Gingerbread Lane prop.
Image: Crown Media
The more you focus on yourself, the more intensely aware you are of all the things that make you sad and the more those problems overwhelm you.
If you find yourself struggling at Christmas, follow Maggie's positive lead. Seek opportunities to pursue your own passions and volunteer in your community. You'll find a lot of people are dealing with far worse things than you, and helping others provides a much needed distraction. It will do your soul a world of good.
An Enjoyable Yet So-So Movie
If ever there was a "boy-next-door" kind of guy, it would be Niall Matter. He has a persona that is down-to-earth, soft, reliable, kind, and approachable. He's never in a bad movie.
Ashley Williams is always bubbly and upbeat, though sometimes grinning goofily too much, but she always puts a lot of heart into her roles. Her performance pulls the viewer into the scene with her to experience the emotional aspects of the story.
Regardless, not much chemistry exists between the main couple, and there is nothing unique in this movie we haven't already seen a million times, though I never tire of Hallmark finding ways to applaud our military men and women for the sacrifices they make on our behalf.
Hallmark's exaggerated emphasis on diversity over talent also affects the quality of the movie. No supporting couples can be of the same ethnicity these days, and all BFF's have to be a different race. Leah, Lucas's sister-in-law, is played by Bethel Lee, who seems blaringly out of place. Lisa MacFadden portrays Maggie's bestie, Alyssa, and her performance is stiff and unnatural. When it comes to producing quality movies, Hallmark needs to cast talented actors because of their skill set, not as an affirmative action mandate. Celebrating diversity is wonderful, but the way Hallmark is tackling it is forced, making a caricature of the effort.
Lisa MacFadden plays Alyssa, Maggie's BFF. Image: Crown Media
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater is worth watching once, but it doesn't earn permanent space on the DVR.
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