Review

Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday (2019): Where Christmas and Literary Puns Collide

Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday isn’t just a Hallmark movie; it’s a lesson in how to turn every mundane moment into a plot-worthy Christmas miracle. This movie is so stuffed with holiday charm and bookish references, you might start wondering if Santa’s sleigh doubles as a mobile library.

The story centers on Hannah (Jen Lilley), a literary editor who returns to her picturesque hometown of Angel Falls to, you guessed it, rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. With a to-do list that includes fixing her career, finding holiday spirit, and maybe falling in love, she’s got more on her plate than a holiday buffet. Enter Ryan (Carlo Marks), a small-town handyman-slash-bookstore-owner (because why not?) who seems contractually obligated to look adorable while carrying books and Christmas trees.

The twist? There’s an angel named Anthony (played by Eric Close) meddling in their lives to ensure Hannah and Ryan get their happy ending. Think of him as a festive Cupid with a fondness for dramatic timing and overly poetic advice. He’s the kind of angel who probably spent too much time in the “Self-Help” section of Heaven’s library.

The plot unfolds like a cheesy rom-com novel—appropriate, given the setting. Hannah and Ryan team up to save a struggling bookstore, which doubles as an excuse for them to exchange lingering glances while discussing Dickens and decorating trees. The sparks are undeniable, even if their banter is as subtle as a flashing neon sign that reads SOULMATES IN THE MAKING.

The town of Angel Falls is your standard Hallmark winter wonderland: snow-covered streets, more twinkling lights than an airport runway, and townsfolk who seem to exist solely to meddle in each other’s lives. If there’s a quota for holiday-themed gossip, these people are hitting it with flying colors.

Of course, the movie leans into every possible Christmas trope. Tree lighting ceremony? Check. Cookie decorating? Absolutely. A heartwarming scene where someone tearfully realizes the meaning of family? You better believe it. Throw in some literary puns about how “life is the greatest story ever written,” and you’ve got a recipe for peak holiday cheese.

The chemistry between Hannah and Ryan is sweet, if a little on the predictable side. Their romance unfolds as if scripted by the very novel they’re trying to save—complete with plot twists you can see coming from a snowplow’s length away. But honestly, isn’t that why we’re here? Watching them fumble their way toward love is like unwrapping a gift when you already know what’s inside.

The standout performance goes to Eric Close as Anthony, whose angelic meddling is so over-the-top it feels like he’s auditioning for a spin-off. Watching him pop up at just the right moment to nudge Hannah and Ryan together is equal parts charming and hilarious.

Is Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday predictable? Oh, absolutely. But it’s also delightful in its unapologetic embrace of Christmas clichés and feel-good moments. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a Hallmark card: sentimental, cheesy, and guaranteed to leave you smiling.

So, grab a cup of cocoa, curl up with a blanket, and prepare for a movie that’s as cozy as your favorite holiday sweater. And remember, the next time a book-loving angel shows up in your life, just go with it—you might end up with a happy ending worthy of its own novel. 🎄📚✨