‘A DICKENS OF A HOLIDAY!’: SMALL TOWN GIRL & MOVIE STAR BEGIN AGAIN

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In what feels as though it’s the quintessential Christmas TV movie, A Dickens of a Holiday! gives laughs and good cheer; a story that follows normal (so as to be cozy), but also steps outside that.

A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021) Hallmark TV Film Review

Back in Dickens Ohio for Christmas and to figure out where she’ll go next after a divorce, Cassie Pruitt (Brooke D’Orsay) is directing the play. As is apt for their name, they are putting on Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, only they hit a snag. Their esteemed lead actor, and Cassie’s high school mentor, has a terrible case of laryngitis and is unable to perform. This leads the mayor to request Cassie ask THE most famous person to come out of Dickens to step in.

‘A DICKENS OF A HOLIDAY!’: SMALL TOWN GIRL & MOVIE STAR BEGIN AGAIN #HALLMARKIES #HALLMARKCHRISTMASMOVIES #GOODMOVIES #HALLMARKMOVIES #HALLMARK #CHRISTMASMOVIE Click To Tweet

Working on his high-octane follow up action sequel, Jake Dorsey (Kristoffer Polaha) is ready for something beyond “action movie star” title. Despite wanting to honor his mother with a role, since his mother’s death, he rarely takes the time to see his family. When his former high school classmate calls him quite out of the blue, Jake has to consider what playing a role like Scrooge could mean for him, and most of all, what it will teach him…

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Given the enormous amount of Christmas movies I’ve seen not just in one year, but collectively, I like to think I have this kind of filter to know which ones will be “me” picks (and favorites) and which will just be “meh” and so-so. So far, this year, I’ve done well in picking the “so-so” ones as early titles to watch while keeping the ones I’m pretty dang sure I will love until these final days of the season. A Dickens of a Holiday! is one that I held back, and golly, it’s cute.

Full transparency, part of this could be that I like both of the lead actors. That said, I do think the story shines brighter too. This one follows the normal tropes, but it does an excellent job of picking apart one trope (that usually is used to create drama) and breathing love and logic into it. It’s charming and way more rewarding to see. Those who watch these will see many familiar faces, and revel in the joy of reconciliation and if you are anything like me, the romance, too; and there ARE some moments here, guys.

There’s plenty to cheer on and love in A Dickens of a Holiday! It’s all kinds of sweet. Certainly one of the best, both in production and acting, of the 2021 season. That earns this one a standing ovation from me.

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‘A DICKENS OF A HOLIDAY!’: SMALL TOWN GIRL & MOVIE STAR BEGIN AGAIN. Review of the 2021 Hallmark original. All text is © Rissi JC

Content: nothing to note if you’re fine with the standard TV-G old-school rating.

Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media Press

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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