Review

Movie Review: A Dickens of a Holiday!
Subtitle: “When Small-Town Drama Meets Big-City Scrooge Energy.”

A Dickens of a Holiday! is Hallmark’s attempt to answer the age-old question: Can a washed-up Hollywood action star pull off playing Scrooge in a small-town Christmas play? The answer? Yes, but not without some hilariously festive chaos along the way.

The story follows Cassie (Brooke D’Orsay), a dedicated director returning to her small hometown to organize its 100th annual production of A Christmas Carol. But there’s a problem: her lead actor bails, leaving her scrambling for a replacement. Enter Jake (Kristoffer Polaha), her high school crush-turned-Hollywood action star, who’s reluctantly back in town for the holidays. Cue the yuletide shenanigans as Jake tries to figure out how to channel his inner Scrooge while Cassie tries to keep the play—and her emotions—on track.

Brooke D’Orsay’s Cassie is charming and determined, managing to wrangle Jake and a town full of quirky characters with the patience of a saint. Kristoffer Polaha’s Jake is hilariously out of his depth, delivering a perfect blend of cocky movie star and awkward theater newbie. Watching him stumble through rehearsals is like watching The Rock try ballet—endearing, but undeniably funny.

The movie’s humor shines in Jake’s “method acting” attempts, which include yelling “Bah, humbug!” at a Christmas tree and asking if Scrooge can have a backstory involving a tragic sledding accident. Cassie’s exasperation is palpable, but so is her growing affection, especially when Jake starts to embrace the role (and the holiday spirit) in his own charmingly clueless way.

Highlights include:
- A disastrous first rehearsal where Jake delivers his lines like he’s defusing a bomb, not ruining Tiny Tim’s Christmas.
- Cassie’s neighbors, who are so invested in the play they might as well charge admission to their commentary.
- Jake accidentally bringing the crowd to tears—not because of his acting, but because he trips over the stage lights mid-monologue.

The small-town setting is quintessential Hallmark, complete with twinkling lights, impromptu snowfalls, and a town square that seems purpose-built for spontaneous romantic moments. The supporting cast, including meddling townsfolk and Cassie’s overenthusiastic stage crew, adds layers of hilarity and warmth to the story.

As rehearsals progress, so does the romance. Cassie and Jake’s relationship builds slowly, with plenty of lingering looks and heartfelt chats over cocoa. By the time they share their first kiss—backstage, surrounded by fake snow and an overly dramatic Tiny Tim—you’ll be cheering harder than the audience on opening night.

The grand finale is predictably magical: Jake nails his performance, the play is a smashing success, and Cassie and Jake realize they’re meant to be. It’s cheesy, heartwarming, and exactly what you signed up for.

A Dickens of a Holiday! is a delightful blend of holiday humor and heartfelt romance. It’s perfect for anyone who loves theater mishaps, festive small-town charm, and the idea that even action stars can find their inner Scrooge—and their happily ever after. Watch it with cocoa, cookies, and maybe a copy of A Christmas Carol for bonus points. 🎄🎭❤️