Once was Enough

This was not a very auspicious beginning to Hallmark’s annual Countdown to Christmas. There was nothing offensive or stupid about it. But it was boring. Nothing Happened. About 45 minutes into it I kept muttering to myself, “Nothing is happening here,” “Nothing is happening.” Everything was proceeding according to formula and there was no reason to hope anything might change to elevate it above the standard Hallmark background comfort watch. I won’t complain that it was predictable because we all know it is about the journey, not the destination. But there was no plot, no drama, no romance, almost no comedy, and no anticipation of what might be around the corner. The two leads, Kim Matula of the marvelous Ghost of Christmas Always and Kevin McGarry were fine. Ms Matula in particular. But Geez. Give the girl something to work with other than gazing meaningfully.

Ashley is a nice girl from Idaho Falls who has been being successful in real estate in New York City for the last 5 years. The movie opens with her breaking up with her boyfriend for poaching one of her clients while at the airport going home for Christmas. Scott is also at the airport breaking up with his girlfriend. We soon learn he is what I guess is the equivalent of a Minor League Hockey player who is in early 30s,  aging out, and has never been good enough to make it to the actual NHL, which has been his whole life’s focus. So kind of a loser. To add to the sadness, he is known as “Grandpa” or “Pops” and his father is a famous star Hockey player who has ignored him all of his life. To subtract from any sympathy we might feel for him he is kind of an arrogant jerk. The two meet and slowly slowly boring baby step by boring baby step come to realize that their happiness lies in Idaho Falls: Ashley as a local real estate agent selling houses to families instead of shopping malls or hotels to corporations, and Scott as a coach instead of a player.

Before they get there, they go through the usual Christmas activities and frolics, and Scott, who is renting a cottage on Ashley’s family’s property is drawn in and welcomed by her warm loving family. He discovers he is pretty good at advising and coaching his teammates and little local kiddies. Meanwhile, nothing interesting or funny happens barring Scott trying to drink a glass of Grannie’s famously foul-tasting and possibly poisonous eggnog against the advice of the family. I was hoping for perhaps ex-boyfriend Trevor to show up begging Ashley’s forgiveness ( a good groveling scene is always good for some entertainment) or Scott’s Dad to show up all sorry for his past neglect, but no such luck. It’s just all sweetness and light. After the usual “Christmas or Career” dilemma that Hallmark usually ends their movies on, the two are reunited at the airport and go home to Ashley’s “goofy” (not that goofy) family together. Hopefully to embark on their first date the next day. The best thing about the 88 minutes I spent with this movie were the previews for the next day’s entry in the Countdown to Christmas lineup, Where are You, Christmas?. That one actually looks pretty good.