“Falling for Christmas” starts the 2022 Holiday Movie Season with a winner. The Netflix original film stars Lindsay Lohan in a role seemingly written specifically for her. It also cements the streaming service as the undisputed king of cheesy Christmas movies.
I read where some experts (so called) are panning the production. To that I say give them coal. “Falling for Christmas” is funny and charming. For every laugh out loud moment there’s a sappy aww blush that follows. It doesn’t try too hard. That’s not to say it isn’t over-the-top; is predictable and gratuitous with stereotypes. It only reinforces that the experts, as usual, missed the point. We watch a movie like this because we want to feel good for two hours. And in that aspect, it delivers.
Plot = absurd
Sierra Belmont (Lohan) is a grown woman who hides behind her father’s checkbook. The spoiled heiress needs servants to do the most common of household tasks. She can’t cook, clean, do the laundry, or make her own bed. Sierra hits her head in a skiing accident. She gets amnesia. She finds love, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Roll credits!
It’s fun to see actors from my age bracket advancing to the middle stages of their career. My generation is now taking over these types of flicks and I’m okay with that.
Lindsay Lohan shows she has the capabilities to play a lighthearted character in a sappy film. Sierra has more depth than most, and Lohan can deliver laughs and emotions alike. What’s great is the film includes gags that poke fun at Lohan – her failed record albums and run-ins with the law – and she has the charm and maturity to laugh at herself.
From Jail to Jingle
Chord Overstreet (yes that’s his real name) plays Jake Russell. Jake owns a beautiful bed and breakfast type inn. He plays the love interest and does so quite well. He’s obviously given saintly qualities with his free giveaways and constant community volunteering. He’s a widower (of course) with a young daughter and mother-in-law to look after.
Soap star and one hit wonder Jack Wagner plays Beauregard Belmont (yes that’s the character’s name) and George Young plays the comic relief Tad Fairchild. Tad is an aloof social media influencer.
Complaints? I guess. The ending seemed a bit clumsy. And the CGI included was silly and not needed. Some of the story lines didn’t go as I thought they would, or were rushed to conclusion in the end. Nothing that can’t be overlooked but there were some elements left on the table.
We’re one week from Thanksgiving. “Falling for Christmas” is a perfect movie to start the holiday season. I’m hoping Lindsay Lohan will become a fixture for these types of films. This is one I’ll watch again and again. And anxiously wait for the inevitable sequel.
“Falling for Christmas” is available to stream on Netflix
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