Hallmark Review: 'The Christmas House'

Years ago, the Mitchell family made a tradition they dubbed "The Christmas House"--decorating their house to the nines to serve as a holiday showplace for their community. But now, both Mitchell sons have moved away from home, with Mike Mitchell (Robert Buckley) thriving in the city as the star of a popular TV series. But with his show facing possible cancellation, the timing couldn't be better for Mike's parents Phylis and Bill (Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams) to call and ask him to come home so they can put together the Christmas House again.

Joining Mike in returning home to recreate their long-lost tradition are his brother Brandon (Jonathan Bennett) and Brandon's husband Jake (Brad Harder). But as the Mitchells work together to make the Christmas House happen this year, other big changes are unfolding. Mike reconnects with his childhood friend Andi Cruz (Ana Ayora). Brandon and Jake are anxiously awaiting the results of their latest adoption application. And the elder Mitchells have some plans that might prove shocking to their sons. But will putting together the perfect Christmas House celebration be the key to making everything right?

While Wedding Every Weekend made history for featuring the first same-sex kiss in any Hallmark movie, The Christmas House caused similar waves for being the first film in Hallmark's Christmas repertoire to show such a kiss. While some viewers were disappointed to learn that Brandon and Jake weren't the film's focal point after all the hype, I was able to deduce that from the plot synopsis well in advance. While it's a bit disappointing that Hallmark has still yet to release a movie with a main LGBT+ romance, it doesn't take away from how refreshing their new direction of representation is. It also doesn't diminish the fact that The Christmas House is a sweet-natured Hallmark flick about a family coming together for the holidays and helping each other through hard decisions.

But for a movie that's labeled as a drama on IMDB, The Christmas House is surprisingly light on major conflict. While obstacles and conflicts do arise for the Mitchell family and their Christmas House endeavor, most of them are either quickly dealt with or don't take on the weight they should. SPOILER ALERT The biggest example of this is the marital troubles between Phylis and Bill. The issue is built up gradually rather than shoved at the viewer all at once, and it seemed like it was building up to a bittersweet resolution with Phylis and Bill going through with their "taking time apart" plan. But instead, things go the typical-for-Hallmark way with the pair abruptly deciding to buy and renovate a house together to fix their marriage. While this solution aligns well in terms of characterization, it still comes across as abrupt and quashes a chance for Hallmark to take an atypical plot path. Spoilers Over

But for what The Christmas House lacks in plot weight, it makes up for with its heart and warmth. Like Lifetime's A Crafty Christmas Romance, the story behind The Christmas House is on the fluffy side, but delivered in such an endearing way that you can't help but enjoy it. The chemistry amongst the Mitchell family is the most responsible for this. Even as things get a little tense for the Mitchells, you never doubt that they'll always love and look out for each other. Robert Buckley and Jonathan Bennett are adorable as loving brothers/playful rivals Mike and Brandon, and both are equally heartwarming in their interactions with their on-screen parents. While Phylis and Bill's plot thread has some bumps detailed in the above Spoiler section, Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams are effortlessly warm as a pair of affectionate parents. And despite the aforementioned bumps, Lawrence and Williams play Phylis and Bill in a way that the rushed resolution to their arc makes sense and is nonetheless sweet to watch.

Bennett and Brad Harder also share beautifully touching chemistry. Together, they make Brandon and Jake's relationship and tearjerking subplot (made heavier by the sad historical reality the movie quietly hints at) all the more emotional to watch unfold. Of the film's subplots, the one between Mike and Andi stands out as the weakest of the bunch. It's a cute enough "Reunited Childhood Sweethearts" story, but when stacked up against the more compelling stories revolving around the Mitchell family, it definitely falls short. And while Buckley remains charming in this part of the movie and strikes up solid chemistry with Ana Ayora and Mattia Castrillo (who plays Andi's precocious son Noah), Ayora's performance is frequently awkward and unemotive. It drags down what's already an underwhelming plot thread.

(SPOILER ALERT Though one thing I must commend this thread for doing: avoiding the problematic "Giving Up a Dream Job for A Guy/Girl" trope. At first, it seemed to be going down that route, which would've felt especially icky due to how visibly passionate Mike is about his show. Thankfully, at the last moment, it's confirmed that Mike's new spinoff series can accommodate him staying home. Thus, that infuriating route is narrowly avoided. Spoilers Over)

Of the supporting cast, Chris Gauthier stands out the most for his wondrously over-the-top performance as eccentric magician Marvelous Jim. Aesthetically, the crew behind The Christmas House makes sure the titular attraction lives up to its reputation. Seeing the decorations getting put together is fun to watch and the final product is beautiful to see in all its glory. Given that the film is inspired by Robert Buckley's own childhood Christmases (his family having had the same holiday tradition as the Mitchells), seeing it come together onscreen brings with it that personal touch of sentiment.

As Hallmark's second big step in its journey towards adding diversity to its film library, The Christmas House is just as strong--if not stronger--in the representation department as Wedding Every Weekend. Not only are Brandon and Jake well-written characters with a well-developed relationship, but their subplot does a little to address the real-life struggles many LGBT+ couples have had when it comes to adoption. The acting is strong for the most part, with the Mitchells quickly pulling you into the infectious sense of love they exude. While the plot may be too lacking in action for some, the heart that you feel throughout the movie makes up for it. If you're in the mood for a Hallmark film as warm and inviting as fresh-baked Christmas cookies, pay a visit to The Christmas House.

Score: 7.5 out of 10 rosettes.