A Wish for Christmas

A Wish for Christmas is a heart-warming holiday film that premiered in 2016 as an entry in Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas series — a staple in modern-day holiday entertainment. The film features Lacey Chabert, beloved hallmark actress known for her roles in party of five and Mean Girls, alongside Paul Greene, a fan-favorite in the Hallmark community for his charismatic roles in charming romantic flicks. Providing support in the supporting cast is Andrea Brooks, another familiar face in Hallmark films.

The movie explores the life of Sara Thomas, played by Lacey Chabert, who works as a web designer in a bustling downtown Chicago marketing firm. Sara is an introverted individual with tons of creativity and passion for her work. However, her quiet nature and reluctance to stand up for herself often leads her brilliant ideas being more or less stolen by her domineering boss. Despite her struggles, Sara maintains her cheer and spirit, embodying the essence of the holiday season in her attitude and demeanor.

On a wistful Christmas Eve, she finds herself in a heart-to-heart conversation with Santa Claus, where she expresses her longing to have the courage to stand up for herself. In true holiday movie fashion, Santa grants her wish — the courage to speak her mind without fear or reservation for a full 48 hours. She wakes up the next morning to find that she is suddenly able to express herself with unfiltered honesty and assertiveness, a change that turns her life upside down.

This newly found assertiveness promptly leads her to confront her boss and challenge her previous methods, asserting ownership of her creative and innovative ideas. However, as the laws of consequences dictate, her straightforwardness also stirs the pot in unexpected ways, causing some comical moments and surprisingly tense encounters that keep viewers on their toes.

Sara’s wish also affects her relationship with her office crush, Peter (played by Paul Greene), the company's recently appointed CEO. Peter is charmed by Sara's sincere quality and her commitment to her work. He is equally surprised and impressed by her sudden assertiveness, finding it a refreshing change in the corporate environment. As they collaborate on a high stake project over the holiday season, hints of a blossoming romance start to emerge, teasing viewers with the prospect of a heart-warming Christmas love story.

The stakes start to climb as the 48-hour deadline on Sara's wish approaches. Sara must confront her biggest fears and learn to navigate the challenges that come with her assertiveness. As viewers, we're left to wonder whether Sara will default back to her old shy self or whether the wish's effects will inspire her to change her life for good. Also, will her budding relationship with Peter survive the end of her 48-hour courage spree?

One of the key strengths of A Wish for Christmas is how it strikes a balance between the romance, workplace dynamics, and the theme of self-transformation. The script addresses the importance of maintaining your individuality and expressing your ideas boldly, even in intimidating environments. It promotes the message of being brave, honest, and truthful to oneself, which is encapsulated in Sara's journey throughout the film. This thought-provoking theme, blended with the tender chemistry between Sara and Peter, and the spirit of Christmas injects a unique blend of drama, comedy, romance, and holiday magic into this well-loved produced by Hallmark.

Lacey Chabert’s portrayal of Sara is endearing in its truest sense, navigating her character’s transformation with ease and believability. Paul Greene plays the warm and empathetic Peter comforting ease, and his chemistry with Chabert is palpable and heartening.

A Wish for Christmas is a delightful holiday offering that combines magic, romance, and personal growth in a captivating and joyful way. The film uses its lovable characters, charming holiday settings, and a compelling narrative to convey a heart-warming holiday message. This enchanting holiday film, while appropriate for all ages, magically wisps you into the realm of Christmas cheer and leaves you with all the fuzzy feelings that define the holiday season.