Catch This One!
Catch Me If You Claus was a funny and whimsical Santa movie. Santa’s son Chris (last name, Vanderschmidt-the Kringles are long gone) is on his rounds when he is tackled by Avery in front of her hearth. She thinks he is the “Santa Crook” who has been burgling the good people of Dayton Ohio this Christmas. She ties him up with her strands of Christmas lights and for some reason doesn’t believe him when he tells her who he is. “Why are all the hot ones crazy?”
Avery’s ambition is to be a television news anchor like her famous mother and she is about to catch her big break on Christmas morning because the regular anchor is home sick. Trying to turn Chris into the police, she is mistaken for his accomplice and ends up being chased by the police while she is chasing the real Santa Crook. They are both being chased by the real bad guys who are really behind the nefarious doings. She and Chris end up kidnapped and tied up by the head baddies. It’s beginning to look a lot like, not Christmas, but that she may miss her chance to finally get the break she needs for her career and make her mother proud. And will Chris be able to finish delivering presents to all the good little boys and girls or will Christmas be cancelled? Word has reached his Dad that Chris is way behind schedule and he is not happy. Will he have to take over the reins from Chris or can Chris, like Avery, live up to his venerable parent’s successful legacy?
Luke Macfarlane and Italia Ricci, who play Chris and Avery, were a great team with excellent rapport and chemistry. As for the romance, this movie features one of the longest and (and sexiest!) kisses that I’ve ever seen in a Hallmark. And after their individual missions have been accomplished, off they go to Bali! This may or may not be a “happily ever after” (not sure how that would work) but it is definitely a “happy for now.” In addition to the sweet romance, there is mystery, adventure, intrigue, and lots of comedy of many varieties. Luke is as charming as ever and I hope he sticks around Hallmark for years to come. Even if it its just to peep his head in from time to time. As long as they can offer him roles and scripts that are as delightful as this one, I think maybe he will.