Christmas with You – Movie Review
Director: Gabriela Tagliavini
Writer: Paco Farias, Jennifer S Stetson (Screenplay)
Writer: German Michael Torres (Story)
Cast
- Freddie Prinze Jr (Scooby Doo)
- Aimee Garcia (Murder at Yellowstone City)
- Zenzi Williams
- Gabriel Sloyer
- Deja Monique Cruz
Plot: Follows a pop star who’s got a career burnout and escapes to a small town where she finds not only inspiration but a shot of love.
Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Christmas with You starts as pop star Angelina (Garcia) is struggling to maintain her top-of-the-business fame. She needs to find some new music for her new record manager, with a Christmas song. Meanwhile, teenage fan Cristina (Cruz) records her own version of Angelina’s songs in memory of her mother. She gets help from her music teacher father Miguel (Prinze Jr).
When Angelina sees the video, she travels to the small town. She meets Cristina and spends time with her family, finding inspiration for the Christmas song she needs to write. Meanwhile, Miguel gets to follow a dream he once had to perform for people.
Verdict on Christmas with You
Characters
Angelina is a pop star, she is struggling to keep up with the latest generation of music. She can perform but she has struggled to reach the fame she once had. Angelina is finding it hard to become a social media star like many of the younger stars bursting through. When she gets to have a simple family weekend after getting snowed in the town, she learns more valuable life lessons her fame has taken from her.
Miguel is a single father and music teacher. He has always encouraged his daughter to follow her dreams and sing. Being a welcoming host, he invites Angelina and Monique into his home and sees the sparks fly as he helps her with a Christmas song. Miguel is more grounded and isn’t interested in the stardom that comes with Angelina.
Cristina is Miguel’s teenage daughter, she is obsessed with Angelina, doing her own versions of her songs. She is shocked when Angelina comes to visit and is starstruck by having the pop star in her home.
Monique is Angelina’s best friend and assistant. She tries to keep her on track with her decisions, being the person, she trusts with her deepest secrets. Monique does get the best lines, bringing laughs through the film.
Performances
Aime Garcia is great as a pop star who has never had a down to Earth experience in life. She brings the superstar to life while showing how her character can’t let people in. Freddie Prinze Jr back in movies is great to see, he steps straight back into the romantic comedy role with ease.
In the supporting cast, we have a host of great performances too, with Zenzi Williams getting laughs. Deja Monique Cruz bringing the fan girl to life.
Story
The story follows a pop star who is struggling to maintain her superstardom. She finds herself in a small town after seeing a fan video, where she ends up meeting a music teacher who helps her with her latest song.
This is a pure entertaining Christmas story about love and taking risks. It uses the two people from different worlds troupe to create the sparks between the two characters. Showing how both would crave what the other one has and understanding certain things can happen out of nowhere.
This might well fill the check box for generic Christmas movies, however, it does bring more emotion than many more. Making it one of the better Christmas movies of the year.
Where to Watch: Christmas with You is available on Netflix now.
Final Thoughts –Christmas with You is a delightfully charming Christmas movie.
