"Christmas 9 to 5" is an obscure Christmas film from Lifetime's 2019 holiday marathon. As of the time of this review, it doesn't even have its writer listed. It's a real shame too. This film is a lot better than many of the other films that network showed this year.
It's better because the script is takes risks that these kinds of stories usually do not. The central conflict between the heroine (played with enthusiasm by actor Tiya Sircar) and the hero (played flat by Joe Dinicol) occurs halfway through and the film attempts, thought not well. In many films like this, the central conflict is resolved in under ten minutes near the very end. The main characters magically become a couple. Here, the Dinicol feels justifiably upset when Sircar reveals that she is an undercover reporter working at his family's historic department store. They had plenty of romantic moments prior to the revelation.
The film has decent cinematography as well. The story largely takes place in a department store of which we actually see exterior shots. There is a boutique interior room that looks like a Red Light District rental booth. Also, the best shot occurs when he is leaving the bar and she is just heading out the door. It looks almost like a Christmas card.
After her cover is blown, Sircar begins making blog posts about the department store. Of course this drives in customers who weren't there in days prior. The story wraps itself up a little too quickly as is customary in this genre.
There's an old school quality to this film. It's as if the script was written and shelved for years before being made. Some cursory modern references aside, I feel like this film could have been released twenty years ago. The supporting performance by George Wendt as the manual elevator operator adds to this quality. His Santa Clause-esque quality adds charm without cringe.
I would enjoy seeing this film again despite its shortcomings. A solid effort all around.
It's better because the script is takes risks that these kinds of stories usually do not. The central conflict between the heroine (played with enthusiasm by actor Tiya Sircar) and the hero (played flat by Joe Dinicol) occurs halfway through and the film attempts, thought not well. In many films like this, the central conflict is resolved in under ten minutes near the very end. The main characters magically become a couple. Here, the Dinicol feels justifiably upset when Sircar reveals that she is an undercover reporter working at his family's historic department store. They had plenty of romantic moments prior to the revelation.
The film has decent cinematography as well. The story largely takes place in a department store of which we actually see exterior shots. There is a boutique interior room that looks like a Red Light District rental booth. Also, the best shot occurs when he is leaving the bar and she is just heading out the door. It looks almost like a Christmas card.
After her cover is blown, Sircar begins making blog posts about the department store. Of course this drives in customers who weren't there in days prior. The story wraps itself up a little too quickly as is customary in this genre.
There's an old school quality to this film. It's as if the script was written and shelved for years before being made. Some cursory modern references aside, I feel like this film could have been released twenty years ago. The supporting performance by George Wendt as the manual elevator operator adds to this quality. His Santa Clause-esque quality adds charm without cringe.
I would enjoy seeing this film again despite its shortcomings. A solid effort all around.
