By Geno McGahee
The holiday movie formula is one that is seen in nearly every Xmas movie. A person doesn’t understand the meaning of Christmas or has lost it through some tragedy. Through another person or event, they rediscover the spirit of the holiday and we get a happy ending and a feel good moment. These films are far from unique, but when it comes to an Xmas movie, you want this formula again, and again… I can’t think of a reason to have a Christmas movie if it’s not to make somebody feel good. So, CHRISTMAS ANGEL is one of these films that follows the formula and does it quite well.
Ashley Matthews (Kari Hawker-Diaz) lives with her dog, Dash, and is struggling. She is having a hard time finding employment and her apartment could be maintained better. On the day of a job interview, her water goes out, her car won’t start, and she loses her cell phone when she bumps into Will Price (K.C. Clyde). Unfortunately, a call comes in, cancelling the interview. When Ashley shows up, the bitchy receptionist lets her know that the job has been filled and the interview is cancelled. I would have liked to see Ashley punch out the receptionist, but it doesn’t happen…unless it’s in the deleted scenes.
The only peace that Ashley has is speaking with her neighbor, Nick (Bruce Davison). They meet up at a diner frequently for coffees and food and just talk about life in general. Nick has a secret though and it’s one that he is eager to share. When he finds out the bad week Ashley has had, he lets her in on what he’s been hiding. He is rich and has been helping people every Christmas and offers her a job as his assistant. She reluctantly accepts.
Will Price calls Ashley about her missing phone and sets up a meeting, but he has his own issue with Christmas spirit. He works at a magazine and has not been working honestly. He twists stories and misrepresents the facts. He would have been a great asset during this past election for any network. Co-worker and ex-girlfriend Francine (Jennifer Klekas) is tired of Will’s approach and calls him on it, but he just brushes her off. He only cares about sales of the magazine and what it means for his career. He thinks he’s got the world by the balls but his boss brings him back to reality and puts him on fact-check duty. His days of writing for the magazine might be over.
Will and Ashley meet up for a meal and to return the cell phone. Ashley really wants nothing to do with him but Will is interested. He’s even more interested when he realizes that she is friends with Nick. He recognizes him as a former business tycoon that was one of the biggest names in the city and now desperately wants to interview him. Ashley tells Will to take a hike, but he is persistent.
Being the assistant to Nick is rewarding for Ashley as she helps the people in need, but things get flipped upside down when Nick is rushed to the hospital. He is dying and it was no surprise to him. His life was full of meaningless material searches and he wanted to make up for the way he has treated people, including his late ex-wife. Giving back to the community and living meekly is what he insisted on doing to make things right, if he could, and now he’s passing it on to Ashley. This experience starts to bring the realization of what the holidays mean to Ashley and Will. Will lands the interview with Nick and begins to see the error of his ways.
CHRISTMAS ANGEL is a very good Xmas movie. Hawker-Diaz and Clyde are very likable in their roles and Davison does a tremendous job as well. This is one of the better holiday movies that I’ve seen this year.
Rating: 8/10
