Una stella per Natale

I wasn't expecting this to be one of my top tier of holiday movies this year, but here we are. I loved this. Let me count the ways.

First, an excellent script. So many of these holiday TV movies have manufactured drama and conflict, things that could easily be resolved if only people would just talk to each other. Not here. The conflict in this story is presented early on and the tension is kept up throughout. We have a true Scrooge of a villain, and she isn't a-kiddin'. Yet you can ultimately understand her motivation.

The conflict resolution in the final act is beautifully done with a Big Gesture that releases the tension/conflict in an authentic way. It made sense for the characters.

Second, there's the romance. Both leads are extremely appealing. They had great chemistry and fit well together as a couple. Jamie Perez as Riley truly sparkled. She had a strong and fun personality and was convincing as the director of a local theater company. Thomas McDonell as Sam was more laidback with a soft edge that worked with in contrast to her drive.

And then there was the A Christmas Carol theater production. I wanted to see more of it. We only got the a few short readings. But there was some nice caroling by the show's cast midway through that was impressive, and there were echoes of the Scrooge story in the main storyline.

All told, this is a keeper and is in my top five this season.