‘Tis the Season For Love succeeds despite its translucence

Or perhaps it succeeds in spite of its translucence. Most Christmas movies have an element of cheese and transparency. They’re not going to have a Crying Game type surprise, the girl will usually find love and the family in need will get that job, present for their child or discover the true meaning of Christmas. ‘Tis the Season For Love is a great example of a by the numbers holiday film with just enough smaltz in all the right places to make for enjoyable viewing.

What is so amazing about ‘Tis the Season For Love is that you know exactly where the story is going twelve minutes into the film. A very subtle egg is placed in the story by a waitress who is serving our lead character. Oh, the local school is looking for a part time drama teacher and you’re an off Broadway actress who might be looking for work? And you’re back in the small town where you went to high school with the handsome fire chief admits that he had a crush on you back in the day?

Hannah Baker (Sarah Lancaster)is up for a big part in a play in NYC, but she seems in a funk because it’s Christmas time. Her successful roommate gives her a ticket back to their small home town so that she can wait out the audition results and have some fun.

Shortly after her arrival she realizes that her high school boyfriend is married and has a child. Initially bummed out, the three of them, plus the earnest and single fire chief go out to dinner. It’s here where our waitress drops the egg that seasoned Christmas movie viewers knew was coming.

People expect Christmas movies to behave in a certain manner and ‘Tis the Season agrees with the audience. We’ve seen a handful of Christmas movies this season and this one lays its plot bare from the get go. A transparent movie is not entertaining because you don’t like, believe or care about the characters.

A translucent movie has some characteristics with that, but it’s one that you can’t see as clearly through. Its opaque nature provides just enough entertainment value to make sitting on the sofa watching it qualify as a good time. You won’t care too much about them or worry that they’re going to make the wrong decisions, but you’ll be content watching their holiday relationship unfold in your living room.

Christmas smaltz level: 7

Cheese Factor: 7

Enjoyment: 8

Predictable: 10