Christmas Pen Pals

Christmas Pen Pals is a holiday-themed, romantic drama released in 2018, helmed by the talented Siobhan Devine, and starring Sarah Drew, Niall Matter, and Michael Gross. The film is set in a small town and revolves around the central theme of rediscovery of love through the simple act of letter writing, harking back to a quieter and simpler time.

The film follows Hannah (played by Sarah Drew), a lively and ambitious tech entrepreneur who heads a dating app company based in the bustling city of Boston. She is single, constantly engrossed in her work, and extremely tech-dependent. She is so immersed in technology that she forgets about personal connections in the real world. Unfortunately, her company is facing a crisis with the failure of her new app. Frustrated and disheartened, she decides to take a break and head back home to the sleepy town of New Hampshire for Christmas.

Upon returning to New Hampshire, Hannah is shocked to see her hometown turning into a "tech-free" zone for the holiday season. The town's special Christmas initiative, "Christmas Cupid", aims to return to the old-fashioned way of sending letters to express feelings and communicate with each other, completely ditching modern technology. This means for Hannah that she has to adapt to life without her tech-gadgets and her work.

It is during this period that Hannah comes across her high school sweetheart, Sam (played by Niall Matter). Sam is the local craftsman, sincere, warm, and the antithesis of Hannah's fast-paced urban lifestyle. Sam has always lived in the town, and now, he serves as the postmaster of the local post office. Given her past with Sam, Hannah is mortified to learn that she has to correspond with Sam due to the town's initiative to write letters.

Our lead character, Hannah, enjoys her smartphone-adjacent life, but now she is navigating a technology-free world where she must articulate her thoughts and impressions of the festive season through pen and paper. Through this journey, she rediscovers the joy and persons – Sam and her father, played by Michael Gross – that she left behind in her hometown.

The movie's plot further thickens when Hannah decides to participate in the "Christmas Cupid" event, where residents in the town are paired off to write anonymous letters to each other, thus adding a touch of mystery and romance to the plot.

Christmas Pen Pals beautifully captures Hannah's evolution from an ambitious businesswoman hiding behind the allure of technology, to a woman who learns to appreciate the value of personal connections, real-time experiences, and most importantly, old-fashioned love. Both Sam and Hannah's father play instrumental roles in helping Hannah evolve and rediscover the essence of her past and the magic of Christmas.

The film manages to cleverly tackle the subject of our increasing reliance on technology, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of personal connections in an era dominated by social media and digital communication. It surprisingly underscores the hidden magic and romanticism of yesteryears that lie in the simplicity of human interaction beyond screens.

The performances by Sarah Drew and Niall Matter are compelling, and their chemistry in the film is natural and delightful. Drew embodies Hannah's character, effectively portraying her journey from the tech-savvy city girl to a woman appreciating the values of a small town.

Niall Matter, on the other hand, is charming and down-to-earth, perfectly fitting into the character of the local hometown hero. Moreover, Michael Gross in the role of Hannah's father adds layer and depth to the film, connecting the past and the present effectively.

Christmas Pen Pals offers a feel-good experience with its heart-touching narrative, charming characters, and a beautiful depiction of old-fashioned romance. Interestingly, the film presents an unconventional spin within its genre, successfully capturing the emotion and spirit of the holiday season. With its directive messaging on love and personal connections, the film leaves the audience reminiscing about their own relationships and the magic of holiday traditions.