A Merry Scottish Christmas

Wow, Scotland in the winter looks beautiful. So green. Like you could jump right in the ocean or walk around in a t-shirt without trouble. Wait, it was not summer? This was supposed to be a Christmas movie? Huh. OK then. On to the story, our siblings find out their mother was a secret duchess and they now are in control of a Scottish castle, cuz that's a thing. If you've seen Party of Five, you know Lacy Chabert and Scott Wolf have had parent issues before, but this didn't seem so much as a problem. They were just annoying about it. Lacy falls for the groundskeeper, dances with someone she should actually be dating (Will Kemp) and leaves the castle only to return and stay. The last 10 minutes of the movie happened so fast that you really need to look up from your phone to catch all the flip flopping. I'm giving this one seven stars for the acting (mostly the tour guide and bar keep) and the setting. I read that the castle they used was actually in Ireland - which is not cool Hallmark. Always dissing the Scots.

Just as well, for the 90's Party of Five addict in me, that Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert played siblings - even if they are estranged at the start of the film. Couldn't have handled them playing a couple.

Speaking of PO5, the bar named Salinger's, owned by a guy called Charlie? Love that nod to the show that made Wolf and Chabert famous.

A Merry Scottish Christmas is much better than the last Hallmark movie where Chabert went to a castle (2021's forgettable 'Christmas at Castle Hart').

It is a Hallmark movie that doesn't feel like one. Aside from the unique setting, there is real family drama here, serious stuff that Hallmark movies usually don't touch with a ten-foot pole. (Well, the old version of Hallmark, anyway. The Crown network seems to be going to places it never did before with storylines, casts and romantic pairings. If that's them going woke, then I'm fine with it...)

Beautiful establishing shots, good acting all around, some very un Hallmark-like storylines (refreshingly so), plenty of Scottish flavour (music, language and Christmas traditions) and, for a change, a romance that wasn't the main focus of the film.

Oh, and a cool cameo from Chabert's romantic interest in the brilliant 2020 Hallmark classic 'The Christmas Waltz' on the same weekend as a sequel to that film airs on a rival network.

There were too many things that distracted in this one. First, why did they choose Duke/Duchess as the title? It would have been far more believable if it had been Earl or a lesser title. And while it was nice to see Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf together again, their age difference was glaring. I kept thinking, sure they played siblings in Party of Five, but it is just weird here. There are lines that reference "when we were teenagers," implying they're supposed to be, three or four years apart, maybe five? I looked up both of them, and there is a 14 year age difference in real life, Scott Wolf is in his mid-fifties. Along with that, the woman playing their mom didn't seem old enough. And there is always an expected amount of cheesiness in Hallmark movies, but it felt so forced how cheerful and friendly all the Scottish people were. It just seemed so over the top. On that note, I couldn't stand Hamish (I think that was the character's name), man was he annoying, so over-acted. On a positive note, the castle was beautiful, and shots of the scenery were lovely.

The storyline was fun and the setting gorgeous and who doesn't love Lacy Chabert but being of Scottish descent and a Highland Dancer I wanted to love this story yet found myself throwing my ghillies at the TV. The cartoonish character of Hamish, horrible bagpiping and the abysmal representation of Scottish culture, especially the Highland dancing, was extremely off-putting. There are thousands of talented Highland dancers all over the world, videos on YouTube and images of proper costumes so you would have thought a giant like HM would have gotten it right...but they didn't. It's fine that the main characters weren't great but the "dancers" should have been and the contest should have used an actual Highland dance. What the heck is a "slip step"? A decent piper would have been nice too. This could have been a beautiful showcase of a beautiful culture but HM chose instead to make a mockery of it. There's no excuse for that.

"A Merry Scottish Christmas" (2023) certainly delivers on its promise of a festive journey, but it's a sleigh ride that's more steady than stunning. The plot, revolving around Lindsay and Brad's trip to Scotland to reunite with their mother Jo, is a familiar template for holiday family reunions. While the Scottish backdrop adds a charming twist, the movie often feels like a scenic postcard that's missing a heartfelt message. The sibling dynamic is adequately explored, and there are moments where their estrangement and eventual bonding tug at the heartstrings, but these scenes are often overshadowed by predictable plot points and clichéd Christmas cheer.

The film's saving grace, however, lies in its visuals and soundtrack. Scotland's picturesque landscapes are a treat, and the filmmakers do a commendable job in capturing the country's rugged beauty and cozy, festive atmosphere. The soundtrack, filled with a mix of traditional Scottish tunes and classic Christmas carols, creates a delightful ambience that complements the scenic beauty on screen. Yet, these elements feel like festive wrapping on an otherwise ordinary gift; they enhance the experience but can't quite make up for the story's lack of originality and depth.

In conclusion, "A Merry Scottish Christmas" is akin to a warm, albeit slightly itchy, Christmas sweater. It's comfortable, familiar, and has a certain charm, but it's not something you'd rave about to friends. The film does a fair job of spreading holiday cheer and showcasing Scotland's beauty, but it ultimately falls short of being a memorable addition to the holiday movie genre. It's a decent pick for a cozy, low-expectation evening, but don't expect it to become a Christmas classic.