This heartwarming Christmas rom-com will charm you with themes of first love, festive cheer, and even Bollywood-style dancing.
Melissa Joan Hart introduces a delightful holiday movie, Christmas Reservations, to Lifetime, offering the perfect start to the Christmas movie season. The film, featuring an enjoyable mix of love stories, nostalgic Christmas vibes, and family connections, stars Michael Gross as the lovable dad and Hart, whose likable charm lights up the screen. While it doesn’t break new ground in the romantic genre, Christmas Reservations provides a refreshing spin with its diverse cast, relatable characters, and multi-generational romances. It’s a feel-good, escapist romantic movie set to entertain.
In Christmas Reservations, Hart plays Holly Anderson, an event coordinator at her widowed dad’s holiday lodge, Treeline Ski Resort. The Christmas week seems perfect until Holly’s college sweetheart, Kevin (played by Ricardo Chavira), checks in with his two kids. As old feelings resurface, Holly grapples with her doubts about life and love and wonders if they can rekindle their romance after all these years.
Holly dreams of being a photographer and finding love with Kevin but doesn’t want to leave her father behind. Kevin has his own dreams but prioritizes his children’s needs, and they wish for him to find love again (and to get a golden retriever for Christmas). Yes, this movie even includes a cute dog in reindeer antlers, breaking the lodge’s no-dogs rule. If adorable pets and sweet love stories aren’t your thing, this might not be for you. However, for those who love heartwarming tales, Christmas Reservations offers plenty of warmth and sentimentality.
At first glance, this may sound like a typical romantic Christmas film, but it stands out as more of an ensemble piece. Melissa Joan Hart compares it to The Love Boat, where romantic adventures unfold as guests from all over arrive at the lodge. The film presents several charming love stories rather than focusing on just one, and the cast is refreshingly diverse. Romance blossoms not just among the young, but also among older couples.
The movie’s love stories navigate between first loves and second chances after facing hardships. The central plot revolves around Kevin and Holly, college sweethearts reunited. Another storyline features Tom (Michael Gross) and Tay (Markie Post), an older couple bonding over their shared love for Christmas.
Adding to the mix, real-life couple Gigi Rice and Ted McGinley play Kay and Duffy, sparking a flirtatious relationship at the lodge. Meanwhile, a young Indian girl, Preena (Nida Khurshid), develops a crush on Leo (Eric Grooms), an American boy, under the watchful eye of her loving grandmother.
Beyond romance, Christmas Reservations emphasizes the importance of family. It explores touching father-daughter relationships, sisterly bonds (played by Markie Post and Gigi Rice), and the guidance of a grandmother helping her granddaughter prepare for university in America. The family dynamics are heartwarming without being overly sentimental.
Filmed in Lake Tahoe, the movie combines a fun script with beautiful scenery. While it isn’t artistically groundbreaking, it achieves its goal of providing entertaining holiday escapism.
In summary, if you enjoy feel-good, happily-ever-after Christmas movies, Christmas Reservations is worth your time. It’s a fun, family-friendly holiday film that offers a charming escape. So, grab a cup of hot apple cider and enjoy this delightful Christmas movie filled with nostalgic holiday sweetness.
To watch Christmas Reservations, check your local Lifetime listings or find it available for purchase on Amazon Video.
