A Dickens of a Holiday!

Although the story here is sort of typical for this type of movie, the acting from both leads is the real story. I've always liked both actors but Kristoffer Polaha shows some acting chops in this movie, I didn't realize he had. There was a simple scene, where he literally drew a tear. His part was very very well done.

Brooke D'Orsay does a great job with her part as well. Her character is sweet, caring and very good at her job, despite having some problems of her own. In spite of what some others have thought, I found their chemistry to be strong.

This one is WELL worth watching!

Divorcée, Cassie, is directing her hometown of Dickens, Ohio's production of A Christmas Carol. It's the one hundredth anniversary and this year has to be spectacular. Her first major problem...she looses her Scrooge. The mayor wants major Hollywood action star and hometown native, Jake.

Jake is desperate to get a serious role, but they won't even let him read for it. He wants the lead role in a drama based on his deceased mother's favorite book. So, home to Dickens he goes to play the very serious role of Scrooge under Cassie's direction.

Cassie and Jake have a bit of a past in that he asked her to the prom...and she said no. A little unrequited love.

This is a second chance holiday romance with Kristopher Polaha, who I have grown to love in the Mystery 101 series. I think I would watch him in anything. He is charming, funny and always engaging.

Sweet must see for the holidays.

I must say, I really enjoyed 'A Dickens of a Holiday!'. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It is an entertaining and engaging story with some lovely dialogue, amazing performances, and a lot of heart. It is undoubtedly one of the better Hallmark Christmas movies this 2021 season. The story follows Cassie (played by Brooke D'Orsay) who is directing 'A Christmas Carol' in the 100th Year Anniversary of Dickens Days in Dickens, Ohio, the town she grew up in. When Scrooge develops large nodules on his vocal cords and can't perform, she asks her former high school classmate Jake (played by Kristoffer Polaha) to take over the role. Jake, who is a Hollywood action star, is keen to land a more serious dramatic role in a new film based on his late mother's favorite book. To improve his resume, and to see the girl he once had a crush on in high school, Jake eventually agrees to take the part. And so, our story begins as we watch the two rehearse (with the cast) for the big night, discovering and tapping into the talent and passion they have for acting and directing, and, more importantly, for each other. The story itself is quite engaging with some heartfelt dialogue and interactions between Cassie and Jake. I also enjoyed the play within a play element of the story, which adds another layer to the viewing experience. Naturally, there were a few shortcomings with the script. For example, I felt the feud between the brothers was resolved too quickly, though, to be fair, it is only an 84-minute film. There was also the conflict at the end, which felt forced (unrealistic). What makes this movie special is the acting. Simply put: it is wonderful. D'Orsay has a sweet and caring vibe to her performance, which I found appealing. She also does a beautiful job of touching Polaha in various ways, which adds to their growing connection and chemistry on-screen. This connection via words and touch is lovely to watch. Polaha's performance is brilliant both as Jake and Scrooge. Regarding the latter, there is a remarkable scene where he is kneeling on the stage begging the Grim Reaper to restore his life. It is an impressive scene (D'Orsay's reaction to it was also great), and an impressive performance overall. Polaha and D'Orsay also have great chemistry on-screen (believable, convincing). There are several touching moments between them that I especially enjoyed (the carriage ride being one). Finally, the movie also has a warm Christmas vibe to it. The sets, props, and scenery are beautiful in the small town nineteenth-century England sense. Of course, there is a carriage ride, ice skating, tree shopping, hot cocoa, and other typical Hallmark Christmas elements. All of which add to the Christmas spirit and festive cheer of the film. All in all, 'A Dickens of a Holiday!' is a lovely story with some brilliant acting. One of Hallmark's best this season.

I like the leads in this movie.

Kris Polaha always seems to be enjoying himself. Here he has a chance to go way over the top, but he doesn't lose his way in the process.

Brooke D'Orsay is always gorgeous and sweet, and she displays some fine acting here.

The chemistry, while not perfect, is certainly adequate, and they play off each other nicely.

Good supporting cast, although I thought the long-simmering feud was resolved a little too easily.

All in all one of the more enjoyable movies this year.

Really loved the premise for 'A Dickens of a Holiday', with it being one of the most interesting and most refreshing-sounding ones of the 2021 Christmas Hallmark films. Have seen a lot of other work from both Brooke D'Orsay and Kristoffer Polaha, and have a generally high opinion of both (very easy to see why Polaha particularly is a Hallmark favourite). Anything that involves 'A Christmas Carol', an all time favourite, is immediately worth going onto my watch and review list.

'A Dickens of a Holiday' was one of the 2021 Christmas Hallmark films to be every bit as good and appetising as its premise and perhaps even better. There were some very good Christmas films from Hallmark that year, and 'A Dickens of a Holiday' is not just one of them but also one of the best and most refreshing of them. Also one of the best 2021 Hallmark films in general, the standard that year was very hit and miss (not unexpected, all the previous years for Hallmark were as well) but could have been a lot worse when it is a miracle that any films were made at all.

Sure, it is not going to win points for originality, with the conflict and ending indeed being predictable. The former being a bit on the forced and rushed side and the latter (as is often the case with Hallmark) too pat with the problems being resolved too easily and cheesily.

Everything else is without issue. D'Orsay and Polaha both bring their A game and charmingly play characters that play to their strengths really well. Their characters are also very easy to like and connect with without being too perfect. Their chemistry has enormous wit and heart, some of the best of any 2021 Hallmark film because it felt realistic and true to life rather than too hostile or too low key. The supporting cast support them very well in roles that come over as a lot more than just typical Hallmark cliches.

Furthermore, 'A Dickens of a Holiday' is attractively made and doesn't look drab or garish or like it was made in a hurry. Low budget and rushed production are not obvious. The music is very pleasant on its own while fitting within the film harmoniously. The script never sounds awkward and any cheese or schmaltz does not ever in any way go overboard, it has a nice light hearted wit while also being honest and mature too. The story may lack originality, but more than makes up for it with bucketloads of warmth, charm and heart.

The relationships are also fleshed out sincerely and with more depth than what is often seen with Hallmark. It did remind me in execution of another 2021 Christmas Hallmark film regarding mature handling of character relationships, 'A Very Merry Bridesmaid', except it is a lot more light-hearted and doesn't take itself as seriously. The pacing has more zip while also being gentle at times.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.