Christmas 2019: The Knight Before Christmas (2019) vs. A Very Nutty Christmas (2018)
Thanks to production companies like Netflix, Hallmark Channel and MarVista Entertainment, there are many glorious (and gloriously awful) romantic, low-budget Christmas romance films. However, because of the mass production of these kinds of films, (looking at you there, Hallmark Channel), you tend to get some copycat films. So, after a bit of research, I've decided for the rest of this December, I will be looking at two films that follow very similar plotlines in my reviews for the month. Today, I will be looking at The Knight Before Christmas from Netflix, and A Very Nutty Christmas from the Hallmark Channel.
The Knight Before Christmas
The Knight Before Christmas is a 2019 film that follows Cole (played by Josh Whitehouse) a knight in the 1300s, on his quest to become a true knight. One day, an Old Crone (this is the actual character's name, despite her being quite important, and she's played by Ella Kenion) meets Cole in the woods. She sends him to modern day 2019, where he meets Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens) a high school teacher disillusioned by romance after a painful breakup. Can Cole help Brooke to love again, and find out how to be a true knight along the way?
I just have to say, that the main guy is called Sir Cole. Say it out loud. His name is Circle. This is especially noticeable when American accented characters say his name, and there's a scene where three characters repeat "Sir Cole" to each other five times. It was really funny, for the wrong reasons.
Also, Cole sounds like coal. You know, the thing kids get at Christmas if they're bad? It just seems like an odd choice for the male hero in a Christmas film. Brooke has a cheater ex-boyfriend in this, maybe that name would have been better suited to him?
The problem with The Knight Before Christmas is that it is so astonishingly bland, in dialogue, plot and characters - everything really. For the first time while watching a film for this blog, I fell asleep. Perhaps I'm coming down with a winter bug, but I did find this film remarkably predictable and dull. To start with dialogue, everyone says each others name when they greet each other, which feels very unnatural. Everyone is overly simple and happy in the things they say. Most of the conversations onscreen don't feel like authentic conversations real people would have with each other. Brooke's first scene, in which she is comforting a heartbroken pupil, is a notable example of this.
Not a single character in this film is layered in any way. The film tries to make it seem like these people have problems, but it doesn't really work. There's a side character who can't afford to provide for his kids, but he's a completely wonderful man who volunteers at a homeless shelter because he believes it is important to give back, and everyone in the town loves him. It's a very sweet idea, and almost a potentially interesting character, but the film just makes his setup look a bit too clean, and he is a bit too perfect, despite his circumstance.
Brooke's conflict is that cringes when she sees her ex-boyfriend, but that only happens twice, and it's never mentioned again afterwards.
Cole's issue should come from being in a different time period, yet he's happy in both medieval times and the modern day. If he had been arrogant, or had something in his personality to overcome, that would be a conflict, and you would understand why he was sent away. But he's considerate and polite from start to finish, I really don't see why he needed to be taught a lesson. He didn't grow. He just shacked up with Vanessa Hudgens.
Their relationship is rather poorly handled. Hudgens and Whitehouse have good chemistry together, but it is too instant. There was no room for growth here. She buys into him really being a real knight far too soon (or just humours it very convincingly), and he's naturally taken with her. So why drag out whether or not they get together for an hour and a half?
I don't really think it's a spoiler for this romance film to say that his moral is to do with learning to love. The only problem with that is that it's very clear he loves his younger brother. So why not go the Frozen way and have it be about the two brothers? I suppose there's not such a big audience for that, but I would personally find it kind of interesting. At least it's a bit more original than this.
Speaking of which, there was a mid-credits scene with the brother that felt rather pointless. It implied a sequel, but I don't really see one being made, not unless Vanessa Hudgens (who also produced the film) is coming back.
I think I preferred this film when it was called Kate and Leopold, and Hugh Jackman was talking about fresh creamery butter in a smooth English accent. However, that film brings up my concern (as The Knight Before Christmas very much did) at how romantic the men are portrayed to be. I don't know, but with gender equality only recently being discussed in a mainstream way, I can't imagine Cole, a man of the past, being such delightful gentleman.
Overall, there isn't a lot to say about The Knight Before Christmas. It's just very bland. If you want to watch something new that feels cheesy and familiar, then this is the film for you. It's got enough Christmas in it to feel mildly festive, but ultimately, there are much better, and more interesting Christmas romance films out there.
Is this a chick flick or romance film for all? Chick flick
Would I recommend this film? No
Rating: 4/10
A Very Nutty Christmas
A Very Nutty Christmas follows Kate (played Melissa Joan Hart, best known as the titular character from the 90s TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch). Kate is a workaholic baker who doesn't have time for Christmas. Yet when a mysterious old man gives her a nutcracker, she makes a wish upon it, and he comes to life, determined to help her with her chaotic Christmas orders at work. However, Chip the nutcracker (Barry Watson) brings a bit of chaos of his own, although he brings plenty of charm to Kate too...
Despite having a horrific title that sounds like this film should be about a horrible CGI squirrel, I actually really enjoyed this in a fluffy kind of way. Melissa Joan Hart takes this workaholic, heartbroken character and has fun with her, making Kate sassy and witty. She's enjoyable to watch.
For me, Barry Watson was only slightly the better star here, as they were both very good. Watson's fully committed here as Chip, a dedicated yet excitable nutcracker brought to life, willing to serve Kate. He's a bit naive and childish in a way that reminds me somewhat of Will Ferrell in Elf, and although he is questionably innocent in this romance film, he does prove himself to be a gentleman. He is determined to help Kate in any way, particularly in his eagerness to save her from the Mouse King, who he is always on the lookout for. I won't spoil how the Mouse King and his sidekick is introduced, but one of them is seen eating a cheese string in the most campy evil way ever and I loved it.
I also like little details that go into Chip's behaviour. For example, there's a scene where Chip, Kate and her baking team celebrate success at their bakery. While Kate hugs someone in the foreground, behind her you can see one of the bakery workers raise their hand to try and high five Chip, but he simply waves back at them, misunderstanding the situation. I think that's quite sweet.
However, Chip is a little flawed. If you saw the film and told me you found him annoying, I would understand: he is a bit too naive, and rather loud at first. He also has a certain skill (hint: what is he?) that the whole town admires him for. This is fine, but people literally crowd around him to watch him do this trick, and honestly, it made me wonder just how boring this town must be for the people who live there.
Also, he speaks very proudly throughout the film about coming from Germany, which is fine, except for such a devout German, he has a remarkably strong American accent.
Out of the three Christmas films I've watched for this month of festive reviews so far, this is the only one to really get me into the Christmas spirit. Kate says she's too busy for Christmas, and everyone is encouraging her to enjoy the holiday positively, without forcing it upon her. There is so much Christmas in this film, with the colours, decorations, music, and even what the characters do. It helps that it is a modern retelling of the traditional Christmas story The Nutcracker too. The amount of Christmas here was a real feel good element for me.
However, this film isn't perfect. The side characters aren't developed or memorable. There's Kate's best friend, and being Kate's best friend is her personality. There's a guy who has a crush on his co-worker and keeps trying to woo her, without her noticing, and that's his character. There's a woman who acts like a 50s housewife, but appears to be a single mother with about seven kids, and one of them is black. Actually, that one does break the bland, Hallmark mould a bit.
The villains are very camp, the worst one for this being Kate's recent ex-boyfriend. It's fine if you don't mind a bit of cheesy acting, but if you do, enter this with caution. Against our leads, everyone else is just a bit forgettable or hammy here.
The logic in this film isn't quite there. For a start, there is an auction scene that ends very well for one character, and it is never brought into question how this person managed to win so much.
Additionally, in a minor spoiler, Kate goes around inviting everyone to have Christmas dinner with her, on Christmas day. That's very nice and all, but you're asking them on Christmas day. People make plans and buy food. It just seems a bit odd to expect them to all be free and willing to come over.
Now, I have to talk about the ending of this film. I won't give anything away, but it isn't a traditional Hallmark Channel way of ending a film. This is partly a good thing, but at the same time, I don't fully agree with how it was handled. To me, it doesn't feel like a true happy ending for either Chip or Kate, and it's a shame, because I really did like both of these characters.
Is this a chick flick or romance film for all? Chick flick
Would I recommend this film? Yes
Rating: 6/10
Conclusion
The Knight Before Christmas may have the benefit of a bigger budget, but really, that's the only asset is has against A Very Nutty Christmas. AVNC is also a bit ridiculous and hammy, but it has charm, two good romantic leads and a good amount of Christmas spirit. Out of the two films I've looked at here, A Very Nutty Christmas is the one I would recommend to you.
Charity shoutout:
This week's charity is Samaritan's Purse, who run the annual Operation: Christmas Child.
This annual activity encourages people to pack a shoe box with appropriate gifts to a child in need in a poor country. You can select the age and gender of the child you want to send a gift too, and there are helpful guidelines that tell you what you can and cannot put into your shoe box. Unfortunately, the deadline for making your own box by hand has passed for this year, BUT you can still make your own box online to send away. The box will include some already chosen essentials, including hygiene products like soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, but you can choose some fun things to add to it, including a soft toy, a musical instrument, and a hat. It costs £20 to send this kind of box, and will only take about five minutes of your time. Click the link above where I've underlined Samaritan's Purse, if you want to send a box and make an underprivileged child have a better Christmas. Thank you.
