RECENTLY VIEWED: FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS

 The whole family was home this past weekend, and with a busy family it was nice to not have anything to do. I wanted to watch a classic movie like White Christmas (1954), but I was outvoted, and instad we put on a Netflix movie called Falling For Christmas. The movie is a 2022 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Janeen Damian, in her directorial debut, from a screenplay by Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver. The film stars Lindsay Lohan, with Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner and Olivia Perez appearing in supporting roles. Lohan plays a spoiled heiress who loses her memory in a skiing accident and lands in the care of a lodge owner widower (Overstreet) at Christmastime.

It marked Lohan's first role in a major production in over a decade following a series of career setbacks while recovering from addiction and legal issues. Brad Krevoy and Michael Damian serve as producers on the film, which was first announced in May 2021. It began production in Utah in early November 2021 and wrapped the following month.

Spoiled hotel heiress Sierra Belmont has been newly appointed as "vice president of atmosphere" at her father's flagship resort in Aspen despite having no interest in the business. When her influencer boyfriend Tad proposes to her at a mountain top, she suffers a skiing accident, after which she becomes separated from Tad and loses her memory. As the hotel staff at the Belmont think Sierra and Tad are away on a trip, nobody comes looking for them.

As her identity cannot be verified at the hospital, Jake Russell, who discovered her and whom she bumped into earlier just after his failed business pitch to her father, offers her a place at his bed and breakfast hotel, the Northstar Lodge. Sierra, taking up the name of Sarah, adjusts to normal life and bonds with Russell and his family. As the hotel is struggling, Sierra comes up with a party to raise funds for the hotel. Meanwhile, Tad gets lost in the woods and finds shelter with recluse Ralph, who takes him to town on foot.

After 4 days, Sierra's father realizes she is missing and informs the Sheriff, who has just retrieved Tad and Ralph. At the party, the town comes together to support the Northstar Lodge, which is declared a historic site. Before Jake can thank Sierra, Tad and her father rush in to take her home, restoring her memory. Sierra decides she will do things for herself going forward and resigns from the position her father created for her realizing the hotel business is not for her. Meanwhile, Jake's daughter Avy reveals that her wish was for Jake to find love and convinces him to seek out Sierra. Jake confesses his love to Sierra who in turn breaks off her engagement with Tad to be with him. Sierra's father believes he owes Jake a debt of gratitude for finding her and so decides to invest in Northstar Lodge. They end with a very happy Christmas all together.

Sure the movie is predictable, and it follows a movie 101 formula, but I found myself rooting for Lindsay Lohan's character in the film. Her character got a second chance on a happy life, just like Lohan is getting. There was a cute nod to "Jingle Bell Rock" in the movie which is a reference to Lindsay's most popular film 2004's Mean Girls. At one point in the film we also see that Lindsay has a mic on her, but nevertheless it is a cute Christmas movie. It's not as corny as I thought it would be, and who cares! Christmas is meant to be corny. I am rooting for Lindsay Lohan too, and I hope her life is back on track now. Falling For Christmas was a surprise Christmas present that I didn't think I would like, but I am happy that I opened...

MY RATING: 7 OUT OF 10