Unraveling the Wonders and Woes of a Hallmark Christmas Movie

Movie Overview

This movie follows Rose, a house-flipper from America, as she decides to flip a cottage in Ireland. Along the way, she meets Sean, an Irish historical consultant, and gets entangled in a web of Christmas and Irish culture. The movie is filled with various plot twists and turns, but does it live up to the expectations?

Leigh, a self-proclaimed Christmas movie buff, and Dave, who is not a movie buff but has a growing interest in Ireland, share their perspectives. Leigh finds the movie lacking in charm and good writing, comparing it to Leap Year. Dave, on the other hand, is more focused on the scenery and the Irish elements.

Irish Culture in the Movie

The movie attempts to portray Irish culture through various elements such as fairies, people being named Rose, and the mention of plum pudding. However, Leigh points out that it doesn't seem like winter in Ireland, with too many sunny days and light jackets. She also questions if Hallmark partners with the Irish tourism board to advertise the country.

DM adds that there is a lack of mention of hurling or gaelic football, making him wonder if the movie was written by a Brit. The cultural aspects of the movie seem to be a mix of stereotypes and forced attempts to bring the couple together.

Renovation and Timing

Rose manages to finish renovating the cottage in an ambiguously short pre-Christmas timeline, despite the warnings of 18 months. Leigh questions the feasibility of such a quick renovation, considering the specialized knowledge required for traditional thatched roofs.

DM also points out the oddity of the streets being tarted up for Christmas in September. The timeline of the movie seems to be a major plot hole that leaves viewers scratching their heads.

The Characters

The two leads, Rose and Norman O’Bates, are both extremely annoying and unlikable. They bicker throughout the movie about Rose’s renovation plans and Norman’s strict adherence to historical preservation. Leigh finds Norman creepy and has no chemistry with him.

DM adds that the scenes between them, such as stirring mincemeat in the kitchen, are cringe-worthy. Even the pop star character, who claims to be famous but is hardly recognized, adds to the annoyance.

Friendships and Endings

Rose makes some friends in Ireland, including a melancholic widow and a pop star in hiding. However, Leigh grows tired of the widow and finds the pop star ridiculous. The friendships seem to be more of a plot device than anything meaningful.

When a buyer shows up to purchase the cottage, it leads to a dilemma for Rose. Eventually, she decides to stay in Ireland with Norman, but their first kiss and the fully-clothed cold plunge leave much to be desired.

Immigration and Personal Reflections

DM reveals that he had a conference with an immigration lawyer about getting his Irish citizenship. He doesn't hold the movie against the people of Ireland and sees it as a part of the overall experience.

Leigh, on the other hand, expresses her love for Ireland but not for Dunclare. She hopes to move to Ireland but not in a place overrun with Americans and unlaunched sons.