A Carol for Two

A final singing number, which is quite catchy and fun, was not enough to save this Broadway dud from getting cancelled from my theater list. Our leads, Violette (Ginna Claire Mason) and Alex (Jordan Litz) work at as singing servers in New York. They have dreams of making it big on Broadway and we're supposed to be rooting for them.

The trouble is the Cyrano de Bergerac storyline where Alex feeds his cousin Brad (Gino Anania) all the info on Violette and somehow almost wins her over with his yule log (don't ask, it ain't sexy). As expected, it all comes crashing down.

Not to put too fine a point on this whole thing, but Brad is the worst. We could have had a helpless in love guy in this part, but he's made to be an absolute fool and a pure annoyance to everyone who knows him. Not loveable, but quite creepy. This character rips a star or two off this movie.

I enjoyed Mason in A Holiday Spectacular (2022, 6 stars) and the under appreciated A Heidelberg Holiday (2023, 7 stars). When she sings the final song, it's magic, but when she's made to sing public domain holiday songs, it's a waste.

Litz too, is better than the material he's given. Let the man sing! I see leading man for many years to come, if given the right material.

Cast Kudos: Hallmark veteran John B. Lowe in a cameo as the glitzy producer. Love that guy.

Alternate titles: Christmas comes to Broadway. Cast for Christmas. Singing for supper.

Originally aired on Hallmark Nov. 1, 2024. Watched Nov. 2, 2024.

I don't like liars but there can be times when characters get caught up in it. No problem. But that guy made me cringe every time he appeared on screen. He actually spoiled the movie for me.

I think the annoying guy was supposed to be funny as well. Epic fail there.

The idea for the movie was great and many of the singers were very good. I imagine the acting world is as cynical as it appeared but that was a bit hard to take too. What was with being mean to the customers in the restaurant? Is that supposed to be a New York thing?

So it was a valiant effort and the two main characters were fantastic. Because of that, I feel a little bad rating it so low. And so I added a star for the great number at the end.

In A Carol for Two, the magic of Christmas is alive and well, wrapping viewers in the warmth, romance, and whimsy we all crave during the holiday season. This movie captures the essence of what makes a holiday film memorable: the belief that dreams, no matter how elusive, can be realized in those precious last moments of the year. It's a story about love, friendship, and the serendipitous events that seem to happen only at Christmas.

The storyline revolves around a theme that many can relate to pursuing one's dreams despite obstacles, with just a hint of the season's magic guiding the way. It brings us not just a romance but also an exploration of meaningful friendship. We see the ups and downs of relationships, learning how to balance dreams with the unpredictability of life, and the challenges that come from mixing family with romance. There's a light-hearted reminder of why Christmas and love are often entwined. The chemistry between the lead characters adds depth and authenticity, drawing us into their lives as if we are experiencing their journey alongside them.

Jordan Litz and Gina Claire Mason bring this story to life beautifully, both individually and as a pair. Jordan's portrayal is warm, genuine, and full of charm, yet he allows Gina's character to take the spotlight in moments that truly matter. Their dynamic on-screen has that natural ease, making their interactions feel heartfelt and sincere. Jordan's performance enhances Gina's, and vice versa they complement each other in a way that brings out the best in each scene.

Gina Claire Mason brings a particularly captivating performance. Last year's holiday movie with her was enjoyable, but this film seems to be her true moment to shine. In contrast to last year's movie, where her character was limited due to her pregnancy, A Carol for Two gives her more freedom to showcase her talent fully. You can see her character's growth, resilience, and charm, with a liveliness that wasn't as evident previously. This film allows her to step into a role that feels both natural and meaningful, giving viewers a chance to see her in a fresh light.

Another delightful layer of A Carol for Two is the humor woven into the storyline. There are laugh-out-loud moments that feel grounded in real life, such as mishaps brought on by family members, adding a touch of relatable chaos. One running joke, in particular, about "how not to fall in love at Christmas," brings levity to the story. And there's also a cousin who adds a bit of comic relief, stirring up situations that make for great entertainment and a little bit of secondhand embarrassment.

The Christmas ambiance in A Carol for Two feels authentic and is thoughtfully interwoven into the storyline, rather than being there just for the sake of holiday decor. The movie has that quintessential holiday charm, with snow-laden streets, warm twinkling lights, and cozy gatherings that feel like invitations into a perfect winter scene. These details enrich the setting and amplify the emotions tied to the story's themes, immersing viewers into a festive world.

At its core, A Carol for Two is a holiday movie that captures the heartwarming aspects of Christmas. It reminds us of the power of friendship, the journey of love, and the importance of going after what we truly want. Watching Jordan and Gina's characters navigate through their dreams and relationships feels like watching a real Christmas miracle unfold where hopes, dreams, and love converge at just the right moment.

For fans of holiday films, this one is sure to become a favorite. It embodies everything we look forward to in a Christmas movie: joy, humor, romance, and a touch of magic. It's a true redemption from last year's movie, bringing Gina Claire Mason's talent into the spotlight and pairing her with the charming Jordan Litz to create a duo that's delightful to watch. A Carol for Two is the kind of holiday movie that makes you believe in the magic of Christmas and the possibility of dreams coming true.

I confess I didn't see the whole movie - I found it while flipping channels. At first, I didn't think that the leads were all that appealing, but as I watched I felt a good chemistry between them. Ginna has a real girl next door vibe and, well, Jordan was kind of dorky in a Clark Kent way. They grew on me, though.

Then they started to sing. Wow. This is not a classical musical in the way that the characters spontaneously break into song, but where the singers are characters doing their jobs. Doesn't matter, they have great voices and I hope that Hallmark casts them into similar roles in the future.

I see some of the other reviews complaining about the 3rd corner of the triangle, and I can't disagree, but it makes more sense than the many Hallmark movies where a (usually female) character dumps a long term, perfectly nice partner for a guy she's just met. I thought that Gino's character was just annoying enough to deserve the dumping but appealing enough not to appear actively evil or mean.

The story of aspiring singers hoping for Broadway roles isn't that inventive, but the male and female leads are attractive and nice in their roles. Separately, their singing is very fine, and it was nice to hear some real Christmas carols with religious overtones, since Christmas is ... as often seems to be forgotten in these films ... a religious holiday.

Unfortunately, in their duets, the leads can't seem to find just one key to agree on. Their duet on "The Christmas Song" was downright painful in places. Ginna Mason could never find the key Jordan Litz played and sang, and they both hit a couple of clangers along the way. Hard to believe they couldn't tell that and correct it in post, at least.

However, the BIG problem with this film is Gino Anania, the second male lead. His part was poorly written, making the character a annoyance with every appearance. And Gino overplayed the role to make it double or triple as annoying as it might otherwise have been, making me tempted to just bag this thing a few times. I'm not sure why, but we managed to stick it out, wasting two hours of our lives.