Continuing with their two-a-week Christmas movies, Hallmark invites us to meet the Darlington’s in this new debut. Katrina Law returns to the network as Jessica Lew, an impressive and studious executive assistant to Charles Darlington (Steve Bacic), a business man with an important deal in need of his full attention. With everything in place, Jessica is about to begin a new job within the company, this time to put her law degree to good use. A snag arises with her time over Christmas before she begins her new job.
Charles and his younger, less responsible brother Max (Carlos Marks) are now the legal guardians of their nieces and nephew. This inspires Charles to make arrangements to have them sent to boarding school. But unable to let these kids go to school over Christmas, Jessica instead volunteers her time off to stay with them, not expecting Max to also offer the same.
Christmas with the Darlings (2020) Hallmark TV Film Review
Anything with the Hallmark emblem attached usually has strong ties to family, but this one seems to have an even greater emphasis on family. The unique way in which we see the family thread is a special one and something many viewers will enjoy; especially as it makes you feel all of the heartwarming feels.
The Christmas with the Darlings plot is a unique one for Hallmark since they usually stick to happy and “bubbly.” The script does stay happy, but there’s this bit of a cloud underlying that makes it seem more bittersweet than some of its 2020 network debuts. There’s still the same cute factor with all of the festive things the characters do; the tree decorating scene is a bit different, which makes it more unique.
Fun to know is the young sisters in this film are real-life sisters, too; and of course, anyone who’s watched countless Hallmark movies will remember Katrina Law from Snow Bride. Then, of course, Carlos Marks plays in Chesapeake Shores. With its cast with familiar faces, and all the usual Christmas-y shenanigans, this one is sweet and as always, it doesn’t skimp on the charm.
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Content: This one does contain a subtle same-sex “crush”; there is conversation about this, but again, nothing terrible. The crush goes unspoken (to the person the woman likes) until later we see them enjoying a date, and later exchanging a look.
Photos: Hallmark / Crown Media Productions