Quick Movie Review: Christmas With You

Plot: A popstar plans an escape to a small town to meet her fan. Once there, she starts to fall for a man that helps her write a Christmas song.

Christmas movies are light, heartwarming, and magical. Most times it is formulaic. It's usually the woman who has this big city job who encounters some problem that makes her want to go to a small town.

Guess who she meets there? The man of her dreams. Sometimes it is her ex lover, sometimes a widower with a kid who is the first to warm up to the woman.

Of course the movie ends on a happy note. 

Christmas With You is a run of the mill movie that offers nothing new.

There is barely any chemistry between the leads. The only thing that can appeal to you is watching Freddie Prinze Jr. on screen.

Of course Aimee Garcia is endearing too.

But unfortunately the chemistry between the two leads doesn't cause any sparks.

CHRISTMAS WITH YOU Plot

Meet pop star Angelina who is performing on stage. Her entry scene is intercut with Miguel's life in a small town. Everything is sweet and simple unlike Angelina's glamorous and high pressure career.

When she finds out her popularity isn't the same as it is before, she is advised by Monique, her manager/friend to give in and write a Christmas song just as the record label advises.

Angelina is against the idea but she can also sees that it is the only way back to stardom after she is replaced by her competitor in a photo shoot.

Angelina's boyfriend is Ricardo who is also the star of a popular TV show which Miguel's mother watches religiously.

Miguel has a daughter, Cristina who lost her mother and is inclined towards music just like her father who is a teacher in the same school she studies in.

One night she makes a fan video for Angelina that she just happens to watch. She is moved by her story and so the minute she faces a career setback, off she goes to connect with her fan.

She makes the drive all the way to the small town, finds the girl's school because of social media and pretty much drops in.

The dangers of social media: If celebrities wanted, they could stalk you right back. Here's an idea for a horror movie.

Well, back to the feel good family movie....Angelina is invited to have dinner at Cristina's house because of the blizzard which just happens to get worse at that moment. 

The following scenes are moments where Angelina tries too hard to fit into the small town that shows how down to earth she is and has no airs.

Miguel tries to impress Angelina with his cooking and piano playing skills. Angelina gets an idea to take Miguel's half-written song and turn it into a Christmas song. 

She doesn't steal it or anything because she has integrity and is down to earth despite the fact that she is conscious about her figure, diet and her expensive shoes.

Plenty of aww moments here.

Angelina also drops in at Cristina's dance practice and teaches her group some moves.

Miguel looks tired throughout it all.

Time passes, Miguel falls for Angelina and vice versa. Emotional stories are exchanged and just when you think love declarations are going to be made, here pops in Ricardo.

Ta-da! 

How Christmas With You Ended.

Cristina begins to notice how close Miguel and Angelina are getting and she couldn’t be more overjoyed. Who wouldn't want a popstar in their lives? 

She is also excited to have Angelina be part of her quincera.

But when Angelina and Miguel perform their newly written song and it becomes popular, she is whisked back to her life by Ricardo.

She has it all now and is also getting a spot on SNL. But Angelina realizes she loves Miguel. The realisation comes after Monique keeps making comments about it. Her competitor  Cheri also remarks on Miguel's excellent piano skills. 

Not wanting to lose her pianist and song co-writer, Angelina decides she does love Miguel and the SNL spot isn't worth it. Cheri can have it back.

At Cristina's quincinera, Angelina performs and tries to mend her relationship with Miguel's daughter before going off to kiss .

Miguel. 

She and Ricardo have broken up somewhere along the way.

The movie ends with Angelina joining Miguel family and celebrating Christmas.

Christmas with you, get it?

Movie Rating: 3/5