“Christmas Inheritance” came in December of 2017. It’s Netflix’ second original holiday movie, following the uber-popular “A Christmas Prince” which was released just a few weeks before. It follows the standard production value of Hallmark or ABC Family made-for-TV holiday films. It has a simple plot that’s easy to follow. It’s a bit outlandish. It’s full of laughs and loveable characters.
Eliza Taylor stars as Ellen Langford; the daughter of a Manhattan toy store mogul. Ellen is a bit of a wild child, nicknamed the “Party Heiress” by New York tabloids. With her immaturity becoming an issue, her father (Neil Crone) hatches a plan. Ellen must venture to the small town of Snow Falls. Without the benefit of her family name or fortune she must learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Eliza Taylor does a masterful job portraying the privileged socialite. She comes from money and is flat out gorgeous. She’s not an authentic princess, but pretty darn close. Eliza departs her Manhattan penthouse in designer clothes and high-heeled boots. She boards a bus (in a hysterical scene) and enters her arc of growth. We know her as the flighty party girl. But the character also has a big heart, and true emotions that Taylor easily delivers. The actress also delivers a barrage of laughs throughout the picture in a fluid way.
Jake Lacy plays Jake Collins. Collins is a Snow Falls resident who loves to go out of the way helping people. He hates the big city for reasons revealed as the film progresses. He rubs elbows with Ellen when she first arrive, but eventually they form a very enjoyable chemistry. Hollywood A-Lister Andie MacDowell lends a supporting role as Jake’s Aunt, Debbie. Michael Xavier does a great job as Ellen’s unlikeable fiancé.
The mechanism for getting Ellen to the fictitious Snow Falls is a bit contrived. Her father grew up there. Every year, he hand delivers a Christmas letter to his best friend and business partner who still resides there. It’s the present day. Tradition is nice. But it’s a bit vexing to think they run a multi-million dollar conglomerate with this being their only communication. I did like the sequence that shows us bits of the letters throughout the years as the friends catch up on each other’s lives.
I know realism goes out the door with these movies. It’s the characters that make the viewer watch. Here, they manage the impossible. They make me prefer life in a cold quaint town to the bustle of New York City.
We watch these movies with the intention of watching them more than once. “Christmas Inheritance” is a great selection to add to a yearly rotation. It offers laughs and feel-good holiday spirit. It’s an easy to follow recipe.
