‘MAGIC IN MISTLETOE’: SCROOGE OF AN AUTHOR REDISCOVERS CHRISTMAS
Small town life forms the setting for Magic in Mistletoe, but what other treasures might you see?
Magic in Mistletoe (2023) Hallmark TV Film Review
Known for his best-selling Christmas novels, Harrington Davis (Paul Campbell) has let success turn him into a recluse. He’s also jaded about the season that made him a household name. When a social media post he shares stating Christmas doesn’t matter, Harrington’s publisher needs to do press damage, and so into his life walks April Collins (Lyndie Greenwood), a publicist who demands he return to his hometown of Mistletoe to do damage control.
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‘MAGIC IN MISTLETOE’: SCROOGE OF AN AUTHOR REDISCOVERS CHRISTMAS. Reviewing (because #Christmas remains this week, right?) the 2023 #Hallmark Christmas flick with #PaulCampbell. #ChristmasMovie #ChristmasMovies #HallmarkChristmasMovie Share on XThis is a plot that’s been done before, but it’s also something that fits in nicely with our current culture. Because of this, it’s easy to understand and relate to even if it’s not a personal experience. There’s also something about the story, written by a debut screenplay writer, that is fresh and fun, and appealing for its genre. magic in mistletoe
The cast is good together, and I enjoy Paul and Lyndie’s back and forth banter. They have this kind of love at first loathe meet cute, and I love that their fallout happens at a mid-point rather than the ending. Although there still is disagreement at the end too, that is silly, but because of the previous fallout, it’s a little less annoying. For anyone who loves movies of the 90s, you’ll also see a little recreation of Ever After, too which is nice throwback.
Minus some of the traditional Christmas movie scenes like flour fights or tree décor-ing, Magic in Mistletoe is one I did enjoy. Possibly even the first of Paul Campbell’s that is memorable. Plus, for anyone who likes Easter eggs, you’ll find one in the early minutes of the film. Magic in Mistletoe presents a story about rediscovering that magic, and though it has its flaws and some flubs that are among my least favorite, the good outweighs this.
Photos: Hallmark Media / Crown Media
Content: Magic in Mistletoe is a typical TV-G rating and nothing goes outside the normal realm.
