Discover the Magic of Christmas Movie Formulas
The Classic Christmas Movie Structure
In most Christmas movies, whether from Hallmark or the new Netflix variants, a distinct structure emerges. A red-headed (or sometimes brunette) professional woman from the big city finds herself in a small town. She might be there for reasons like dealing with money matters, having unfinished business in her hometown, or having been cheated on by a blonde guy and seeking a fresh start. She initially comes across as spoiled or jaded due to heartbreak or financial issues.
Upon arriving in towns like Hope Falls, Chester’s Landing, or Sycamore Downs, she is rude to everyone as she plans to stay only for a short while. However, she begins to open up to an old innkeeper, bartender, or bookstore owner who introduces her to a handsome local handyman, carpenter, or woodcutter. This local often has a specific look - dark-haired with multiple flannel shirts and blue jeans, with perfectly manicured stubble. He might have never left his small town or gone to the big city for education and realized his true home was there. He is both smart and capable of deep emotions in a hyper-masculine way.
The Love Story Arc
At first, they annoy each other due to her rudeness and his naivety. But as the story progresses, they fall in love. She then does something hurtful, usually a white lie, which leads to a fight. Feeling bad, she makes a grand gesture like saving his bookstore, the whole town, or Christmas. The film ends with them kissing under the stars, surrounded by lights, as the town looks on with smiles, signifying her perfect assimilation into the community.
This basic and repetitive formula becomes the perfect backdrop for the holiday season. It reminds us how the holidays make people feel, even if we ourselves are struggling to find that warmth. It also serves as a great distraction when we are with family and want to avoid political discussions.
Recent Netflix Romancedramas
Recently, I watched two Hallmark-like romantic dramedies on Netflix. "Hot Frosty" follows a young widow who falls in love with a shredded, hunky snowman that comes to life. It is campy and goofy, with a good-natured charm that simply aims to bring a smile. It may not be sexy in the traditional sense but it got me in the mood to watch more Christmas movies.
"The Merry Gentlemen" is another such movie. A Broadway dancer returns to her hometown of Sycamore Creek to help save her parents' struggling music venue, The Rhythm Room. Along with a local handyman and some other shredded dudes, she starts a sexy, Christmas-themed dance show to raise money. With Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray starring, it is well-acted and genuinely charming.
While I'm not claiming that Hallmark movies or their Netflix ripoffs are excellent, for a moment, they managed to evoke the Christmas spirit. Maybe as long as we are feeling that cheesy warmth, the source doesn't matter so much.