Christmas at the Drive-In

"Christmas at the Drive-In" delivers the predictable Hallmarkish (But actually on the Great American Family Channel) charm, complete with a "Big Bad Developer" (who inherited the very drive-in he wants to sell) versus a determined local hero. The stakes? The titular drive-in, recently designated a historical site but facing demolition. Our heroine, a lawyer returning home after a career setback, champions its preservation - a mission that felt somewhat lacking given the drive-in's apparent lack of business and staff.

While the film adheres to the familiar formula, the leads unfortunately lack chemistry, despite their shared history from elementary school and a past romance. Their relationship past and current, just didn't give me the feels. Honestly, I struggled to understand the drive-in's inherent worth; its saving grace seemed more the heroine's vision than any existing community need. That said, the transformation of the drive-in into a festive event space - complete with Christmas trees, blankets, and warm cider - was visually appealing, and I did appreciate the heroine's creative ideas for revitalizing the space. Ultimately, while the film offers a cozy holiday viewing experience, the thin plot and unconvincing romance hold it back from true greatness. It's a perfectly acceptable holiday movie for those who enjoy the genre, but don't expect to be blown away.

One last thing: The tropes always present in these holiday movies include the couple decorating or baking cookies together, and then sharing a dance-usually to a holiday song. Another holiday gem, *A Lot Like Christmas*'s couple's dance to "Jingle Bells," is one of the cutest holiday movie dances ever. This movie's swing dance to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" wasn't bad; I enjoyed it.

Meet Sadie (Danica McKellar) a failing lawyer, who has returned to her home town to find out that the drive-in cinema which she used to love going to is closing down. And Sadie gets determined to save it and prove that it's a good way to bring the community together. When she proposes that the Drive In should be saved to the major and his friends they give her 'til Christmas to prove that it's worth keeping open.

But as the days go by Sadie soon finds out this drive in is not gonna be saved overnight and it's gonna take more than just a few ideas about how to keep people warm whilst they're watching a film outside to stop it from closing down.

At first I almost turned this film off because the acting is not that great and it didn't make me laugh much but as the film went on, I got more and more interested in how or if Sadie is going to be save her local cinema. And I think that's because I enjoy going to the cinema and it upset me a bit when they closed during the COVID pandemic and in the end I found it watchable and I might watch it again next Christmas...if I can't find anything else on TV or Netflix.

I also liked this film because it was only 87 minutes and didn't drag on for too long, but I think the length of this film could have been more appealing if they had made it more kid friendly, perhaps by having a few child actors and then it could have attracted families with children that are too young to sit still throughout a long film.

Together again.

I'm reading the reviews here (including the one for the Candace movie :-) ), and I'm struck by how seriously everybody takes these movies. I've learned over the years what to expect, so I'm not going to complain about it.

Right up front, this movie is not as good as Coming Home for Christmas.

For those who haven't seen that or don't care, this is a story about a businessman who inherits a drive-in and intends to sell it for development. Danica plays an attorney who has lots of memories there, and therefore decides she needs to save it.

She and Neal are tasked with putting forth a good-faith effort to make a go of the drive-in... in Winter in the snowbelt.

What's not realistic about that (sarc)?

Danica and Neal did not have the supporting cast they had in Coming Home, and they certainly didn't have the script, but I remain hopeful that GAC will resolve these things in time.

Six.

Apparently since I wrote this, Neal Bledsoe has stated he will no longer make movies for Great American because of what Candace Cameron Bure said about only portraying traditional marriage in their movies.

Docking a point for Neal and his politics.

Five.

You get exactly what is expected - run of the mill formula, story, and production that's comfortable and bland - a good feeling filler of time that will make most any Lifetime or Hallmark watcher very happy. The actors had a fair amount of personality and chemistry. I personally tuned in because I've seen a number of other Danica McKellar Christmas projects over the years - so it's kind of tradition! Everyone did a decent job except with the graphics people and continuity - at one point the drive-in screen displays -

"Come Join Our Caralers Tonight!"

No - seriously. Uh Oh. Someone can't spell carolers!!!!!

It was quite a distraction from the movie.

Back to which - they wrote a mind numbing "twist" resolution to wrap up every loose end in one shot during the last few fleeting minutes of the run. BAM - it was over! That's how these things always go though. Would it be so hard to leave the formula behind and be a little more creative? Unfortunately the execs have to rubber stamp projects - and if it doesn't fit their mold, it becomes too frightening to green light. This one's worth a watch for an easy going holiday film.

Danica McKellar has done better work. Her second outing with GAC Family is not a strong one, despite the presence of Neal Bledsoe, whom she has worked with before, over at Hallmark.

If I were asked to describe 'Christmas at the Drive-In" in one word it would be 'formulaic'.

You can tick the boxes on this: small town. Teenage sweethearts. Important town location in danger of being destroyed. Said location (a drive-in, as you probably gathered from the title) being saved by the two protagonists and sparks fly along the way. Devious entity tries to stop it. Said entity is defeated. Protagonists fall in love.

This sort of movie has been done before and done better. Didn't seem to be all that much chemistry between the leads and the storyline was pretty weak.