Marry Me at Christmas (2017)

Directed by: Terry Ingram | 81 minutes | comedy, family | Actors: Rachel Skarsten, Trevor Donovan, Emily Tennant, Blair Penner, Crystal Lowe, Keith MacKechnie, Michele Scarabelli, Judith Maxie, Darla Fay, Camille Mitchell, Dolores Drake, Carey Feehan, Nicole LaPlaca, Kelly Metzger

The fans are always ready for it at the end of October: the annual ‘Countdown to Christmas’ on the American Hallmark Channel. With a long run-up, the channel warms up its viewers for the holidays, with Christmas films, specials and related programs. The films are produced by the station itself and paint a sweet, typical American ideal of Christmas. Hallmark ‘originals’ are mostly family-friendly romantic comedies starring lesser-known actors (think ‘Full House’ stars Candace Cameron Bure, Lori Loughlin and Jodie Sweetin, and other former child stars like Alicia Witt and Lacey Chabert). At Hallmark they don’t sit still; in 2017 alone, the channel released no fewer than 54 films produced by the channel itself, twenty of which had a Christmas theme. The film that kicked off the ‘Countdown to Christmas’ that year was ‘Marry Me at Christmas’ (2017) by director Terry Ingram.

Maddy (Rachel Skarsten) runs a bridal store in the picturesque Californian town of Fool’s Gold (!) with her best friend Isabel (Crystal Lowe). To paint a picture: this is a village where everyone knows each other and where people are always nice to each other. Especially during the Christmas period it is loving and harmonious. So even though things aren’t going well for Maddy, she’s still in good spirits. Especially when a new client steps in – someone from outside Fool’s Gold who fell in love with the town. This Ginger (Emily Tennant) is not only looking for a wedding dress, but could also use a wedding planner. And time is running out, because the big day is already the day before Christmas. Though she’s never hosted a wedding before, Maddy decides to take up the challenge. Ginger turns out to be the sister of famous movie star Johnny Blake (Trevor Donovan) and it doesn’t take long before he is on the doorstep of the bridal store. He has offered to pay for the wedding, but wants to have a say. Johnny is a bit tired of the hectic star life and hopes to relax a bit in the dormitory town. Although their first encounters are a bit rough, Maddy continues to be just the right person to get Johnny down to the ground. But at the same time, doubts are growing, because if he moves back to LA in a few weeks, will she be able to get into a relationship with Johnny?

‘Marry Me at Christmas’ is a typical Hallmark no-holds-barred movie. Everything was pulled out for the most atmospheric setting possible: Christmas trees, lights, snow, carol singers, mistletoes; you name it. We in the Netherlands think it’s all a bit too much of a good thing, but in America they feast on all that excess. The story is wafer thin and of course very predictable; at their first meeting we already see that Maddy and Johnny are made for each other. Even if the chemistry between Skarsten and Donovan is a bit disappointing; it’s not really romantic. The expectations of movies like ‘Marry Me at Christmas’ are usually low, so we don’t mind the sugary, endless spinning of the protagonists, the one-dimensional characters and the total lack of tension, depth or inspiration. On the other hand, it’s not annoying either. Oh well, there’s a market for everything and there will be plenty of people who feast on this kind of nonsense.