I must say, I really enjoyed this Tubi original Christmas movie. The story is fun, festive, and a bit quirky at times, with some brilliant performances. The storyline revolves around Christina Chance (played by Tori Anderson), a (family cooking) social media influencer who is very close to landing a lucrative sponsorship if she can manage 2 million live views of her Christmas Eve vlog-cast. But everything is not what it seems at the Chance's, as 'the darling family, loving husband, and authentic charm and style' are roles meticulously crafted by Christina to sell The Family Chance brand. Our other protagonist in this story is Devon (played by Mykee Selkin), a marketing executive who is a fan and supporter of The Chance Family. Devon decides to spend Christmas Eve helping Christina with her big shoot. However, the two have a bumpy start, not seeing eye-to-eye, and this day never seems to end, that is, they find themselves on a Christmas Eve time loop. And so our story begins, as we watch Christina and Devon try to create the perfect Chance Family Christmas Eve (over and over again). During their 'Groundhog Day' experiences, they eventually discover each other and what is truly important in life in order to escape the time loop. Given the rise and prominence of social media influencers in Western societies today, I found this story to be refreshing, as it sheds light on, and makes fun of, this social phenomenon. The script, I thought, was well-written. It was fun, cute, and touching (at times). The writers do a good job too with the dialogue and interaction between the characters, the family members. Some of the characters are odd and quirky, which makes for some fun dialogue and exchanges. Indeed, I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. But what stands out in this one is the acting. Anderson had a wonderful performance. She had a warm, yet determined, vibe to her performance, which worked well on screen, I felt. The chemistry between her and Selkin was also convincing. The supporting cast in this one was excellent, especially given the peculiar nature of some of the characters. Indeed, these were some very strong performances. The movie also had a nice Christmas vibe to it. I was impressed with the various gingerbread castles, rockets, and so on that Christina made. All in all, it is a cute and fun Christmas movie, with some heartfelt moments to boot. It will no doubt bring a smile to your face or even make you laugh or chuckle a bit. This, along with some brilliant performances, make for a great viewing experience this Christmas season. I highly recommend it.
9 Reviews
For those who love Love 💞
ckvq-3850317 December 2021
Comedy ???
the_doofy25 December 2021
What did I just watch.
camilla_one8 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was so bad. One of the worst Christmas movies. It took her over 65 days to figure out that she should put her family first and not force them to be apart of her job. The characters where so exaggerated it wasn't believable.
Fun, Light Holiday Movie for 21st Century Life
hypestyle11 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A Chance for Christmas is a Christmas-themed romance movie.
This is a movie that leans in heavily to certain aspects of today's celebrity culture, more specifically, online/social media influencers.
The film centers Christina Chance (Tori Anderson), a 30-something woman who is a "lifestyle" video-blogger, showcasing cooking recipes as well as internal and external home decorations projects. Christina's videos also prominently feature family members: her two children, Kaylee (Habree Larratt) and Hugo (Declan Cassidy), her parents Rick (Tim Progosh) and Wanda (Lisa Langlois), and her husband, Steve (Bradley Hamilton). Note: One of these people is not a real relative.
It's Steve. Apparently, Steve is merely a former classmate of Christina (high school? College? It's not specified). In real life, Steve is dating Wanda (who is portrayed as being rather openly randy), who is divorced from Rick.
Christina currently has a tentative contract with a household products company, "Love Handles" (great name). However, the executive Christina deals with insists on two million views for her next major vlogging projects, or else the contract is over. An account manager for Love Handles has been sent to Christina's town to directly oversee the production of the vlogging videos. This is Devon (Mykee Selton). Devon is handsome and well meaning, and he's totally thrown by the revelation about Steve.
It turns out that Christina's ex-husband apparently left the family (divorced? Are they simply separated?) once Christina's vlogging career started to gain steam. Devon is single, and was apparently raised by a grandmother after his father disappeared and his mother died.
Devon is sincere in wanting Christina to succeed. On the very first night during Christmas Eve of Christina's vlogging, a hired Santa Claus actor (Nick Allan) shows up, and calamitous hijinks ensue. Christina makes a passing remark on wishing she could do this day all over again. The Santa "actor" turns out be the real guy (!), and magically makes Christina and Devon repeat Christmas Eve over and over, until some kind of special lesson is learned.
So most of the movie is about Christina and Devon gradually getting to know one another while trying different approaches to Christina's vlogging projects. They are the only ones who remember the repeating day. Christina runs into issues talking with Devon, as well as exposing the fissures in her relationship with her parents, Steve, and her children. At one point, the phrase "we're ground-hogging" is used, so the character are aware of the Bill Murray movie, clearly.
On the "pro" side: Most of the actors seem genuinely game for this story, where various aspects of the story are being told in a repetitive way. This is the first time that this author has seen the world of social media influencers and video bloggers get explored in a Christmas movie. It offers an intriguing commentary about the world that is portrayed by these influencers: constant references to brand name products for various needs, everyone being perfectly made-up and well dressed and well coiffed. The filmed life for these individuals is starkly different from their real life. Particularly for the "family based" bloggers/influencers, there is a commentary that nobody's family is perfect, even those who seem to have it all together. There is also commentary about Christina being able to allow romantic love in her life again, when her previous relationship fell apart.
The interracial aspect of the romance between Devon and Christina is never mentioned, which is intriguing. That said, Devon has apparently flown or driven in from out of town, and nothing of his family background is shown, only spoken of briefly.
On the "con" side, some of the acting from some of the characters is a little flat at times. Also, the grumpiness of the kids early on seems rather oversimplified and caricatured. The dynamics and risks of Steve, who is Christina's age, dating her mom is never really delved into beyond the surface level. By the end of the movie, he's simply another family member, a kind-of in-law, but of course, it's Christina's movie, so I guess that's that.
Overall, this is a fun, inoffensive movie to watch, especially with your own family.
This is a movie that leans in heavily to certain aspects of today's celebrity culture, more specifically, online/social media influencers.
The film centers Christina Chance (Tori Anderson), a 30-something woman who is a "lifestyle" video-blogger, showcasing cooking recipes as well as internal and external home decorations projects. Christina's videos also prominently feature family members: her two children, Kaylee (Habree Larratt) and Hugo (Declan Cassidy), her parents Rick (Tim Progosh) and Wanda (Lisa Langlois), and her husband, Steve (Bradley Hamilton). Note: One of these people is not a real relative.
It's Steve. Apparently, Steve is merely a former classmate of Christina (high school? College? It's not specified). In real life, Steve is dating Wanda (who is portrayed as being rather openly randy), who is divorced from Rick.
Christina currently has a tentative contract with a household products company, "Love Handles" (great name). However, the executive Christina deals with insists on two million views for her next major vlogging projects, or else the contract is over. An account manager for Love Handles has been sent to Christina's town to directly oversee the production of the vlogging videos. This is Devon (Mykee Selton). Devon is handsome and well meaning, and he's totally thrown by the revelation about Steve.
It turns out that Christina's ex-husband apparently left the family (divorced? Are they simply separated?) once Christina's vlogging career started to gain steam. Devon is single, and was apparently raised by a grandmother after his father disappeared and his mother died.
Devon is sincere in wanting Christina to succeed. On the very first night during Christmas Eve of Christina's vlogging, a hired Santa Claus actor (Nick Allan) shows up, and calamitous hijinks ensue. Christina makes a passing remark on wishing she could do this day all over again. The Santa "actor" turns out be the real guy (!), and magically makes Christina and Devon repeat Christmas Eve over and over, until some kind of special lesson is learned.
So most of the movie is about Christina and Devon gradually getting to know one another while trying different approaches to Christina's vlogging projects. They are the only ones who remember the repeating day. Christina runs into issues talking with Devon, as well as exposing the fissures in her relationship with her parents, Steve, and her children. At one point, the phrase "we're ground-hogging" is used, so the character are aware of the Bill Murray movie, clearly.
On the "pro" side: Most of the actors seem genuinely game for this story, where various aspects of the story are being told in a repetitive way. This is the first time that this author has seen the world of social media influencers and video bloggers get explored in a Christmas movie. It offers an intriguing commentary about the world that is portrayed by these influencers: constant references to brand name products for various needs, everyone being perfectly made-up and well dressed and well coiffed. The filmed life for these individuals is starkly different from their real life. Particularly for the "family based" bloggers/influencers, there is a commentary that nobody's family is perfect, even those who seem to have it all together. There is also commentary about Christina being able to allow romantic love in her life again, when her previous relationship fell apart.
The interracial aspect of the romance between Devon and Christina is never mentioned, which is intriguing. That said, Devon has apparently flown or driven in from out of town, and nothing of his family background is shown, only spoken of briefly.
On the "con" side, some of the acting from some of the characters is a little flat at times. Also, the grumpiness of the kids early on seems rather oversimplified and caricatured. The dynamics and risks of Steve, who is Christina's age, dating her mom is never really delved into beyond the surface level. By the end of the movie, he's simply another family member, a kind-of in-law, but of course, it's Christina's movie, so I guess that's that.
Overall, this is a fun, inoffensive movie to watch, especially with your own family.
Repeat
BandSAboutMovies23 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Christina Chance (Tori Anderson) is trying to get Love Handles to make her the ambassador for their new line of products through her web show. They'll give her the deal if she gets two million views on her Christmas Eve livestream. Except her family and image are all fake.
She's divorced and her web husband Steve (Bradley Husband) is really dating her mom Wanda (Lisa Langlois, Class of 1984). Her dad Rick (Tim Progosh) isn't married to her anymore, either. Her daughter Kaylee (Habree Larratt) hates the show and thinks it's why her dad left. At least her son Hugo (Declan Cassidy) is into it.
The problem is that Love Handles employee Devon (Mykee Selkin) shows up at the wrong time and finds out the secret life of Christina. Yet the show - thanks to everyone's hard work - goes well. But they don't get the numbers they need, Christina doesn't get the deal and Devon gets fired. Luckily, they hired such a great Santa (Nick Allan) that he actually is Santa, who gives them all another chance. Actually, so many chances until they finally just don't even do the show. Devon films their entire day of just being a family and uploads it, which upsets our influencer protagonist, but when she learns that that's what got her all the subscribers, all is forgiven and reality gets normal.
Director Stefan Brogren also made Twisted Neighbor and Obsessed to Death for Tubi. The movie was written by Brian Graves and Jacob Michael Keller.
She's divorced and her web husband Steve (Bradley Husband) is really dating her mom Wanda (Lisa Langlois, Class of 1984). Her dad Rick (Tim Progosh) isn't married to her anymore, either. Her daughter Kaylee (Habree Larratt) hates the show and thinks it's why her dad left. At least her son Hugo (Declan Cassidy) is into it.
The problem is that Love Handles employee Devon (Mykee Selkin) shows up at the wrong time and finds out the secret life of Christina. Yet the show - thanks to everyone's hard work - goes well. But they don't get the numbers they need, Christina doesn't get the deal and Devon gets fired. Luckily, they hired such a great Santa (Nick Allan) that he actually is Santa, who gives them all another chance. Actually, so many chances until they finally just don't even do the show. Devon films their entire day of just being a family and uploads it, which upsets our influencer protagonist, but when she learns that that's what got her all the subscribers, all is forgiven and reality gets normal.
Director Stefan Brogren also made Twisted Neighbor and Obsessed to Death for Tubi. The movie was written by Brian Graves and Jacob Michael Keller.
Transformational Christmas Joy
dagunicorn14 November 2021
I started watching this expecting nothing great but how wrong I was! A lovely modern Christmas present I'll be enjoying again! I urge anyone watching this to persevere because every character is well drawn and superbly acted.
Great Fun
Andrew-olden29 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
You do not go into these films expecting a masterpiece of a movie, but this was pleasantly surprising. Several genuinely laugh out loud movies. A nice way of spending a hour or so without having to overthink things.
The basic story is a rehash of Groundhog Day but in a Christmas setting, where people are forced to relive the same Christmas Eve time and time again, in the hopes of getting a crazy number of social media like. Good acting, particularly from some of the supporting cast members.
The basic story is a rehash of Groundhog Day but in a Christmas setting, where people are forced to relive the same Christmas Eve time and time again, in the hopes of getting a crazy number of social media like. Good acting, particularly from some of the supporting cast members.
Such a delight
grovcom-008821 March 2023
Loved this movie. If you want to take an adventure, find new meaning in life and get it right, then this movie is a good guide.
While this survey typically asks smart critics to direct readers toward good movies, we hope that the reverse is also true, and that these posts help movies (good or bad) direct readers towards smart critics.
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While this survey typically asks smart critics to direct readers toward good movies, we hope that the reverse is also true, and that these posts help movies (good or bad) direct readers towards smart critics.
In that spirit, we asked our panel of critics to reflect on their favorite piece of film criticism that they've ever written (and we encouraged them to put aside any sort of modesty when doing so).
While this survey typically asks smart critics to direct readers toward good movies, we hope that the reverse is also true, and that these posts help movies (good or bad) direct readers towards smart critics.
In that spirit, we asked our panel of critics to reflect on their favorite piece of film criticism that they've ever written (and we encouraged them to put aside any sort of modesty when doing so).
While this survey typically asks smart critics to direct readers toward good movies, we hope that the reverse is also true, and that these posts help movies (good or bad) direct readers towards smart critics.
In that spirit, we asked our panel of critics to reflect on their favorite piece of film criticism that they've ever written (and we encouraged them to put aside any sort of modesty when doing so).
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