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Film Review: 'A Crafty Christmas Romance'

Two strangers work together to do a good deed for Christmas in this simple but sweet holiday flick.

By Trevor WellsPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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The days leading up to Christmas are about to get a whole lot more interesting for small-town crafts store owner Mandy Page (Nicola Posener). While going through donations for the local Toy & Book drive, she discovers a 70-year-old Santa Claus letter and a valuable coin inside an old copy of A Christmas Carol. Touched by the letter's heartfelt nature, Mandy makes it her mission to return the letter and coin to its owner by Christmas. Trouble is, after so many years and having so few clues to work with, the search for the letter's owner proves difficult.

Thankfully, Mandy isn't alone in her quest. Along with her friend/co-worker Gabby (Renny Grames), she has contractor Jonah Canton (Brad Johnson)--the man who donated the book--as her ally. As the pair go around town in search of the now-adult letter writer, Mandy and Jonah's journey through public records and libraries forges an unexpected bond. Will a decades-old letter bring two strangers together for the holidays?

Having revisited Nicola Posener's first Lifetime thriller a while back, the time's come to take a look at the movie that inspired that review: Posener's first Lifetime Christmas movie A Crafty Christmas Romance. But despite the title and above poster showing Mandy and Jonah in their DIY ugly Christmas sweaters, the former's craft shop isn't the focal point of the story. Once Mandy and Jonah set off on their letter-return mission, the shop mostly fades into the background to serve as eye candy. But regardless of that and the film's admittedly lightweight story, A Crafty Christmas Romance makes for a solid holiday romance adventure with a lovable pair of leads.

The film wastes no time throwing its protagonists into their adventure, with Mandy finding the plot-inciting letter and coin within the opening minutes and enlisting Jonah's help soon after. This proves to be a double-edged sword of a storytelling tactic. While it does get the story moving right out of the gates and prevents any extraneous build-up, it also draws attention to the moments when that story hits a lull. With so much of the film's focus being on Mandy and Jonah's search for Judith (the letter writer), there's bound to be times when you'll find yourself getting listless. But thanks to the lead performances, there's always a little boost of energy that should help less-patient viewers power through. On their own and as a duo, Nicola Posener and Brad Johnson are naturally lovable as Mandy and Jonah--two people brought together by their inspiring desire to give a woman they don't know a beautiful Christmas present.

Posener and Johnson bring to life their characters' compassion for others and share sweet chemistry as their shared goal leads to a friendship and budding mutual attraction. But in a surprising departure from her previously-discussed-on-my-blog work, Posener's emotive deliveries here aren't as effective as the ones she gave in Nightmare Wedding. SPOILER ALERT Her most botched moments come when Mandy loses the coin and damages her relationship with Jonah by insinuating he stole it. Her dismay at both losses doesn't hit as hard as it should. But at least this scene serves to highlight one of Mandy and Jonah's most heartwarming qualities. Despite the financial troubles Jonah is going through and the falling-out that he and Mandy have, it doesn't stop their efforts to locate Judith and return her letter and coin. That small detail goes a long way in bringing authenticity to Mandy and Jonah's shared selflessness. Spoilers Over

When it comes to selling Mandy as a pure-hearted woman looking to return someone's childhood memories to them, Posener nails it alongside her co-star. Johnson, for his part, is more on-point when it comes to Jonah's own more subdued moments of vulnerability. The likability and chemistry found between Mandy and Jonah are what keep A Crafty Christmas Romance from becoming overly dull during its slower segments. Posener and Johnson's aforementioned energy (both together and as individuals) will keep you watching to see Mandy and Jonah's relationship blossom all the way up to the film's adorable conclusion. The "Tracking Down Judith" plot draws you in while Mandy and Jonah's wholesome personalities and relationship dynamic keep you invested.

The supporting cast for A Crafty Christmas Romance is pretty sparse, given how so much of the movie is spent solely on Mandy and Jonah. The most visible supporting castmate is Renny Grames as Mandy's co-worker bestie Gabby, with Grames doing a good job bringing charm to an uber-familiar character type in made-for-TV holiday films. It helps how Gabby gets in on Mandy and Jonah's selflessness; while Mandy is busy trying to find Judith, Gabby is willing to provide whatever aid she can and even take charge of the shop while her partner is preoccupied. Rachel Olvera is a memorable lowkey hoot as a stern but reasonable librarian Mandy and Jonah encounter during their research and SPOILER ALERT Anne Sward brings all the expected feels to the film's final act as Judith Cross. Of the times we get to hear Judith's letter being read, Judith's reading is (not surprisingly) the most touching. Spoilers Over

If you're looking for a fluffy Christmas movie to watch with the whole family, A Crafty Christmas Romance fits the bill. The plot is on the lighter side and there are points when some viewers might find their interest waning because of it. But with a likable cast playing very likable characters, there's enough charm and heart to keep those sluggish stretches engaging. During a Christmas season wracked by global suffering and tragedies, a sweet little holiday flick promoting the power of kindness is certainly something a lot of people could use right now.

Score: 7 out of 10 Christmas mushrooms.

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About the Creator

Trevor Wells

Aspiring writer and film lover: Lifetime, Hallmark, indie, and anything else that strikes my interest. He/him.

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Twitter: @TrevorWells98

Instagram: @trevorwells_16

Email: [email protected]

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