Like anything, sometimes you run across a story that overcomes its humble circumstances. From Hallmark, Christmas Under the Stars is one of these stories. It has Autumn Reeser playing a teacher who finds herself juggling a few too many hats. Not only does she struggle to connect with one of her brightest students, she’s also having trouble keeping up the spirits of her son, and fighting debts that have been paid, but somehow keep coming.
LIST | Best Hallmark Christmas Romances of the Last Ten Years
As Julia (Reeser) tries to keep everything as normal as possible, she meets Nick (Jesse Metcalfe). A former corporate broker, Nick finds himself out of work this Christmas season, and as a temporary distraction, he begins to work for the kindly Christmas tree farmer (Clarke Peters) where Julia buys her trees each year. As these two people try to find some solutions in their messy lives, they discover one of the most important things in life is the gift of a helping hand.
Christmas Under the Stars (2019) Hallmark Review
As I do each year, when I read up on all of the Christmas originals set to debut this 2019 season, this is one that I hoped would be a new favorite. At the risk of spoiling anything, this does not disappoint. It’s as joyful as the rest of its peers, but this one also looks beneath the surface of the trimmings, something that’s always welcome so long as it doesn’t become somber.
One of the behind the scenes movie facts that’s most fun about this one is that Jesse and Autumn previously co-starred in a Hallmark romance; one (A Country Wedding) that I quite enjoyed, and in particular I do like them together. Then there’s the fact that while this will still be a story that’s too “convenient” or maybe trope-y for some, I appreciate that this one doesn’t have the same kind of affect that most of the movies with this plot (corporate guy forced to learn new things or reexamine life) tend to do to make their point.
Nick is instead a likable, if not a little lost, guy from the start, and no matter what, this is always the type of hero I’m going to want to root for. Julia is the single mom who is struggling with a fight she didn’t expect, but even her story has a bit of a “twist” that makes the film even more interesting. Then there’s the kindly Christmas tree seller who offers both wisdom and a source of entertainment.
Whether or not it’s liked by the majority, I don’t know, but this is 100% delightful. It makes me glad to see Jesse has more 2020 projects in the works with Hallmark, and of course, hopeful we’ll return to his character’s story in his Hallmark recurring role in Chesapeake Shores. Until then, enjoy a night ‘under the stars’ with this sweet seasonal romance.
Photos: Hallmark / Crown Media Press