Based on a novel of (nearly) the same title, this rom-com features familiar faces in a story that will, hopefully, charm any viewer.
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater (2020) Hallmark Review
Preparing to spend Christmas alone, Maggie O’Donnell (Ashely Williams) tries to assure her pre-teen daughter, Ellen (Kayden Magnuson) that she’ll be fine. While Ellen spends most of the holidays with her dad, Maggie plans to paint and of course, tackle those dependable reorganization tasks. Her plans change when she, quite by accident, injures the wrist of a handsome stranger – with a Christmas tree, no less!
Lucas Cavelli (Niall Matter) is about to leave for Aspen over the holidays, but his bother would prefer he stay in town. This ends up working out well when Lucas and his casted wrist has to stay in Colorado. Feeling bad, Maggie offers her guest house to her victim, all while recruiting him for the volunteer work she takes part in.
This isn’t a film I knew much about, but I think I saw some “meh” comments prior to watching it. I did know Niall Matter played the leading man (who I tend to like), and also that I’d read the novel. The film differs greatly (as I knew it would) from the secular, very adult novel, but it captures the same feel of the story.
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Basically the greatest difference between the book and film is the relationship between Maggie and Lucas. Other changes include Lucas’s sister-in-law not being pregnant; Ellen being only eleven and the fact that her dad is in her life; the reason Maggie is alone; and their professions. But I appreciate that the story’s idea remains the same. There’s still an injury involved which makes up the “real” meet-cute; Maggie still has a daughter; and though it’s PG versus PG-13, Maggie and Lucas do temporarily (of a sort) live together.
If nothing else, one thing this one does is win in the most adorable title category. Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater is all kinds of cute. It’s fun and I appreciate, like always, the military angle as well. Ashley and Niall are fun together, and most of the time their dialogue is easy and entertaining to watch.
PINTEREST PIN
Content: there is nothing to note here that might be troublesome.
Photos: Hallmark / Crown Media Press Productions
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