7 stars: Enjoyed it
There is an argument to be made that this 2024 Hallmark Christmas movie is the most boring movie of the season, and I’ve seen a few reviews to that effect. Maybe I was in the right mood. Or maybe it’s because several members of my family also were drawn into the story, and sat down with me to watch. In any case, this little Irish tale was quite enjoyable with its simple and leisurely pace that focused on a small village in Ireland.
Let me be clear, this movie is thicker than a pint of Christmas Guinness with “what the heck” moments. Somehow that makes it all better, or more like a Hallmark movie we expect.
Rose (Fiona Gubelmann) is a house flipper who is always on the go. For her next challenge she takes on a cottage renovation in the small Irish village of Dunclare. Real estate agent, mayor, historian, hunk and all around good lad Sean (Eoin Macken) tries to talk her out of it and then makes her renovation difficult once she gets going. Spoiler alert: it all works out. These two actors have good chemistry and are fine actors, living their roles, not just saying their lines.
No review of this movie would be complete without a recapping of the time vortex of Dunclare. We are led to believe that Rose shows up in Dunclare during the holiday season. My guess was the first week of December. Rose proceeds to refurbish the dilapidated cottage enough to put it on the market to sell it, while also going out each night with Sean or two other ladies who are camped out in the town. During the day she goes to lunch and strolls the winter market. She has no car and has to walk everywhere. She learns about every Irish or Celtic tradition ever created. One night she doesn’t even go to sleep (great pub party) and another night she falls asleep at a friend’s house, which as we all know, is a safe way to head into any construction project. She never hires any help, yet somehow fixes the water, ceiling and foundation damage alone, while also repairing the chimney, painting and doing subtle landscaping around the place. Remember, she has no vehicle and brought zero tools in her single suitcase. Dang, she’s good.
Oh, and on Christmas we learn it’s only been three weeks! I could be sold on a reckless construction schedule of three months, but this timeline “tis” laughable.
Goofy notes section
A widow of several years is seen at the local pub with at least three plates of different untouched meals on the table with her. She’s alone. She says, “I still haven’t gotten used to ordering for one.” Hmm. Couple things. Did you order for your husband while he was alive? Did the server ask if anyone else was joining you? And simply–why would you ever order more than one meal while out alone?
Christmas Swim = polar bear plunge. Great, it’s a fun tradition. And I love that they do it fully clothed! They started taking off their jackets and I thought to myself–they aren’t prepared for this activity. They are not wearing swimsuits under their clothes. Are they going to go naked plunging? Nope, they just dance off into the frigid ocean with their pants and shirts on. At least half-way. The movie cuts away before they can plunge further. Never light a candle, even a pretty one, directly under curtains. Fires happen in Ireland too.
The American doing an off-putting Irish accent is actually endearing. “What about me ma!” LIttle comedy moments.
There’s a very minor storyline about a character that had to be 6th or 7th on the call sheet being a famous pop star. This could have been its own movie and I would watch it. I mean, what’s her story? The pop star is Caitlin (Flavia Watson) who is hiding from fame. She sings Danny Boy because it’s a legal requirement of any movie set in Ireland, right? It’s heart-wrenchingly sad and beautiful. She has a wonderful, soulful voice that we needed more of.
I was reminded of the Game of Thrones line, “Winter is coming,” which was said for like five seasons of the show, each time someone said “Merry Christmas” in this movie. I mean, eventually, it’ll be here, right? Longest December ever.
Good lines:
“In Ireland at Christmas we roll deep” (friends at holiday events)
“What lasts longer than love? Heartbreak. (Ouch!)
Measuring Christmas Magic: Yes, we had magic, but in the form of Celtic traditions, not flying reindeer.
Cast Kudos: Lamb Chop the sheep. Sorry, I don’t know Lamb Chop’s real name, but this wooly beast was the real hero of this movie and nobody can tell me otherwise.
Alternative titles: Walking everywhere we go in Ireland; 90 Day December; The Irish Christmas Time Vortex