Review

A Cheerful Christmas (2019): A Review with More Cheer Than Logic

When you call your movie "A Cheerful Christmas," you’re setting the bar high for holiday spirit. And, as far as Hallmark holiday movies go, let me tell you, this gem clears that bar with a running start, a twirl, and a sprinkle of fake snow. Sure, it’s light on realism, but who needs realism when you’ve got twinkling lights and perfectly coiffed hair?

The story follows Lauren (Erica Deutschman), a professional Christmas coach. Yes, you read that correctly—someone who literally gets paid to teach people how to have a better Christmas. Apparently, this is a real job in the Hallmark Cinematic Universe, and now I’m questioning every career decision I’ve ever made. Lauren’s holiday expertise is put to the test when she’s hired to help James (Chad Connell), a grumpy aristocrat who probably hasn’t cracked a smile since his last polo match.

James is the epitome of a Hallmark hero: brooding, handsome, and wearing sweaters that cost more than your rent. He’s resistant to Lauren’s relentless cheerfulness, but as any Hallmark veteran knows, resistance is futile when it comes to Christmas magic. Lauren, meanwhile, is like a human Christmas ornament—sparkly, over-the-top, and occasionally teetering on the edge of being too much.

The plot is as predictable as finding glitter in your house two months after the holidays, but that's what we love about Hallmark holiday movies. Lauren clashes with James at first, but by the time they’re decorating a tree together (because of course that happens), sparks are flying like a malfunctioning string of lights. There’s also a subplot involving James’s wealthy family, who are somehow both snooty and inexplicably obsessed with holiday traditions. One can only assume their net worth triples during December from all the Instagram-worthy Christmas parties they throw.

The film leans heavily on holiday clichés: snowball fights, cookie decorating, and heartfelt speeches about the true meaning of Christmas. There’s even a scene where Lauren teaches James how to properly hang ornaments, because apparently no one ever told him you can’t just throw tinsel at a tree and call it a day. Watching these two navigate the art of Christmas spirit is like watching someone try to assemble IKEA furniture—frustrating, yet oddly satisfying.

The dialogue is peak Hallmark. Lines like, “Christmas isn’t just a holiday; it’s a feeling,” are delivered with such earnestness that you might forget how absurd they sound. And don’t even get me started on the slow-motion kiss under the mistletoe—it’s so swoon-worthy you’ll want to pause the movie and text your ex, “We need to talk about our lack of mistletoe moments.”

In the end, A Cheerful Christmas is exactly what it promises: cheerful, fluffy, and filled with more Christmas decorations than a department store clearance aisle. Is it groundbreaking cinema? Absolutely not. But it’s the kind of movie that feels like a warm hug on a cold night—predictable, comforting, and just the right amount of ridiculous.

So, grab some cocoa, put on your coziest pajamas, and prepare to have your heartstrings tugged by a Christmas coach and her aristocratic love interest. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself Googling “How to become a Christmas coach” by the time the credits roll for this Hallmark holiday movie. 🎄