A Merry Scottish Christmas

Just as well, for the 90's Party of Five addict in me, that Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert played siblings - even if they are estranged at the start of the film. Couldn't have handled them playing a couple.

Speaking of PO5, the bar named Salinger's, owned by a guy called Charlie? Love that nod to the show that made Wolf and Chabert famous.

A Merry Scottish Christmas is much better than the last Hallmark movie where Chabert went to a castle (2021's forgettable 'Christmas at Castle Hart').

It is a Hallmark movie that doesn't feel like one. Aside from the unique setting, there is real family drama here, serious stuff that Hallmark movies usually don't touch with a ten-foot pole. (Well, the old version of Hallmark, anyway. The Crown network seems to be going to places it never did before with storylines, casts and romantic pairings. If that's them going woke, then I'm fine with it...)

Beautiful establishing shots, good acting all around, some very un Hallmark-like storylines (refreshingly so), plenty of Scottish flavour (music, language and Christmas traditions) and, for a change, a romance that wasn't the main focus of the film.

Oh, and a cool cameo from Chabert's romantic interest in the brilliant 2020 Hallmark classic 'The Christmas Waltz' on the same weekend as a sequel to that film airs on a rival network.

The last Lacy Chabert movie we really liked was Christmas in Rome, and this one didn't live up to that standard.

The main draw of this movie was the Scottish setting. Once the main group of characters arrive, the mother tells her son and daughter she was in line to be the Duchess, but didn't want the lifestyle control that went with the title and sticking with her family.

The "sort of" outrage shown by the son and daughter didn't ring true for us. It seems manufactured to put some tension in the story, but it was pretty much the only tension in the story.

From there on, we saw charming scenes of local life and traditions, but they didn't interest us enough to wish to watch this again, and the movie trundled on to its entirely predictable ending.

"A Merry Scottish Christmas" (2023) certainly delivers on its promise of a festive journey, but it's a sleigh ride that's more steady than stunning. The plot, revolving around Lindsay and Brad's trip to Scotland to reunite with their mother Jo, is a familiar template for holiday family reunions. While the Scottish backdrop adds a charming twist, the movie often feels like a scenic postcard that's missing a heartfelt message. The sibling dynamic is adequately explored, and there are moments where their estrangement and eventual bonding tug at the heartstrings, but these scenes are often overshadowed by predictable plot points and clichéd Christmas cheer.

The film's saving grace, however, lies in its visuals and soundtrack. Scotland's picturesque landscapes are a treat, and the filmmakers do a commendable job in capturing the country's rugged beauty and cozy, festive atmosphere. The soundtrack, filled with a mix of traditional Scottish tunes and classic Christmas carols, creates a delightful ambience that complements the scenic beauty on screen. Yet, these elements feel like festive wrapping on an otherwise ordinary gift; they enhance the experience but can't quite make up for the story's lack of originality and depth.

In conclusion, "A Merry Scottish Christmas" is akin to a warm, albeit slightly itchy, Christmas sweater. It's comfortable, familiar, and has a certain charm, but it's not something you'd rave about to friends. The film does a fair job of spreading holiday cheer and showcasing Scotland's beauty, but it ultimately falls short of being a memorable addition to the holiday movie genre. It's a decent pick for a cozy, low-expectation evening, but don't expect it to become a Christmas classic.

The storyline was fun and the setting gorgeous and who doesn't love Lacy Chabert but being of Scottish descent and a Highland Dancer I wanted to love this story yet found myself throwing my ghillies at the TV. The cartoonish character of Hamish, horrible bagpiping and the abysmal representation of Scottish culture, especially the Highland dancing, was extremely off-putting. There are thousands of talented Highland dancers all over the world, videos on YouTube and images of proper costumes so you would have thought a giant like HM would have gotten it right...but they didn't. It's fine that the main characters weren't great but the "dancers" should have been and the contest should have used an actual Highland dance. What the heck is a "slip step"? A decent piper would have been nice too. This could have been a beautiful showcase of a beautiful culture but HM chose instead to make a mockery of it. There's no excuse for that.

The reunion of the Party of Five stars Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf will attract the attention of many. They play estranged brother and sister Lindsay and Brad. They each went separate ways at adulthood and that left resentment. That resentment gets lip service for a while but the two quickly act far friendlier toward each other than the backstory would imply. But the big story in the plot is that their mom, also estranged from them, is heir of a duke.

Lindsay meets Mac, the estate manager, and they begin developing a romance, but that plot thread is secondary to the family reconciliation and their dealing with issues related to their inheritance.

The acting is mostly OK, but somehow I didn't feel it much from Scott Wolf. I think I was put off by his over enthusiasm which could have been overacting. The dialogue was also OK with some funny moments. We saw a bit of Scottish scenery and traditions.

There were no great highs or lows or surprises. The tension was all relational and didn't involve any threats to body or livelihood.

One mystery to me was Mac's brother-in-law. The actor looked familiar but I couldn't place him.