In the 5-Year Christmas Party, two theater majors spend 5 consecutive Christmases in each other's lives, acting out the highs and the lows of post-college. Unlike many Hallmark movies where a single act of kindness means forever love, this tale is grounded in the realities of real life. Things like jobs, family and dreams matter to the leads, and guide their decisions on relationships or other commitments. Aside from an ending that leaves a bit too much to the imagination, this is a solid, non-Old School Hallmark movie that I would recommend.
Our lead is Katie Findlay, who plays Alice, who really wants to make it in theater as a director. Our leading man is Jordan Fisher, who plays Max, an aspiring actor. Kudos all around. These two are great together and definitely play different versions of themselves over the course of 5-years. Success or failure is subtle, but they showcase the differences well.
Credit to writer Zag Hug, a Hallmark vet, who also wrote the Ghosts of Christmas Always (9 stars), which is one of the best Hallmark movies of all time.
Major kudos to production on this one. Clearly on a budget, we re-use the same party house, kitchen, party venue, alley, parking lot and rooftop-and some of the same actors every year. They dress them up a little (emphasis on little) bit differently each time, but it's reminiscent of a play where moving a chair or changing the lighting signals a different act. Also, the changing of the season montages were great.
This movie is more sincere than fun, which means realistic laughs, love and tears.
Goofy notes
They really hate catering the law firm Christmas party. I need to know more!
Forcing people to become carolers is not a real thing and nobody should do that.
I think Jordan Fisher must be wearing lifts, right? He's great, but she's pretty tall.
They make a joke about oranges and scurvy. I don't think it landed, but I applaud the effort.
I love that they bonded over watching Ashley Williams (Hallmark) movies. Meta!
I feel like these long gaps between seeing each other could have meant they might find another person to love. If I got ghosted for a year, I would probably not be so happy to see the person who did me dirty.
What happened between Daniel (Jeff Avenue) and Micah (Olly Atkins)? They were together for years 2-4, then Micah is MIA in year five? Come on Hallmark. You gave us a gay couple and then didn't stick the landing. Where'd he go?
Cast Kudos: The really, really bad mustache on Jeff Avenue for year 4. Just no.
Alternative titles: The show must go on, for 5-years; Catering my life story; Christmas Party Again; Alice and Max take the long way to love.
