Truth be told, Christmas rom-coms are not my usual genre at all; a familiar face on the cast list reeled me in. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it!
The story follows self-absorbed music manager Luke on a mission to save his career, as he tries to acquire the rights to a Christmas song for his last remaining client. However, his big promises don't impress songwriter Melody, who has since Marie Kondo-ed her big music dreams into a box to focus on family instead. It's no surprise these two headstrong characters clash before they connect ("It won't work! [...] You're not that charming." "Challenge accepted!"), but the stereotypes soften as they start peeling away some of their polished layers.
The story has all the elements to spark nostalgic longing and fuzzy feelings: small-town antics, rekindled relationships, buried dreams to chase, a winding road to romance, and copious amounts of snow.
But what actually struck me the most about this film is that music is the connecting force - something that very much resonates with me. Songs come with the most intriguing stories, woven together by life experiences, connections, and a pinch of serendipity. Under the magnifying glass of the holiday season, it all adds up to an entertaining feel-good Christmas story. In this case, one with a Sheryl Crow-penned title song in a starring role. And with thanks to Karen David's voice fitting this song like a glove, this hero doesn't remain unsung.
