Entertaining Christmas

Entertaining Christmas is a heartwarming holiday movie from 2018 that puts a new spin on the tradition of bidding adieu to the retiring matriarch of a well-loved lifestyle brand. Well-known actress Jodie Sweetin, of "Full House" fame, teams up with Brendan Fehr and Jane Moffat to create a story that captures the true spirit of Christmas, while gleefully exploring the emotionally charged domain of business handovers, family bonds, and the quest for one's true identity.

The story centers around the character Candace, effortlessly portrayed by Jodie Sweetin. Candace is the daughter of home and lifestyle guru, Liz Livingstone (Jane Moffat), who is the face of Vermont-based Livingstone's Network. The network is renowned across America for its vintage Christmas decorations, charming video segments of DIY crafts, delicious recipes, and picture-perfect lifestyle tips. Liz, the ever-charming and talented founder, is poised for retirement, and it is naturally assumed that her daughter, Candace, will fill her shoes.

Here's where the story takes a delightful turn. Candace is depicted as a smart, and highly capable businesswoman; however, she doesn’t share her mother's flair for the homemaking skills that the brand is known for. This transition phase stirs up a sense of humor and drama on screen, as Candace anxiously tries to live up to the family name and her mother’s polished aura.

As Candace grapples with the challenges that come her way, a ray of hope emerges in the form of a request from a young girl. To impress her father, the girl wants Candace to help organize a festive Christmas bash in her small town. Reluctantly, Candace agrees, and this whirlwind of a project pulls her away from the corporate world and thrusts her into a series of endeavors that demands hands-on skills, creativity, and goodwill.

As Candace dives deep into party planning, cookie baking, Santa-letter writing, and tangled fairy lights, she keeps crossing paths with a local reporter, John (Brendan Fehr). John is a level-headed, observant, and charming presence in Candace's chaos-infused journey. His role as an observer brings a distinctive perspective to Candace's struggles, shedding light on her attempts to master her mother's skills and uphold the family legacy, all while trying to keep business running as usual.

Underneath the glitter and holiday charm, Entertaining Christmas packs in powerful explorations of self-identity, pressure, and the courage to step outside of one's comfort zone. The chemistry between Jodie Sweetin and Brendan Fehr is delightful to watch, making the encounters between Candace and John entertaining yet meaningful. Jane Moffat's portrayal of a mother steadily balancing on the edge of worry and joy for her daughter’s journey is also commendable.

The backdrop of the quaint little Vermont town adds a picturesque charm to the film, reinforcing its festive theme. The cinematic beauty of snow-laden streets, well-decorated homes, and traditional bakeries form the ideal setting where the ethos and aesthetics of the Livingstone Network come to life.

Directed by Robin Dunne, Entertaining Christmas gives viewers a twist-filled narrative that's interspersed with laughter, romance, delicious recipes, and the quintessential magic of Christmas. The screenplay beautifully weaves in the subtleties of the pressures of a family-run business, the generational gap, and the power of honest communication.

Entertaining Christmas isn't just about decorating trees or baking cookies; it's a story of a woman caught in the whirlwind of societal expectations, familial responsibilities, and her journey towards her true self. Jodie Sweetin, Brendan Fehr, and Jane Moffat breathe life into this routine narrative with their stellar performances making it a must-watch during the festive season. The film doesn't just entertain, it also leaves a lingering taste of the quintessential holiday warmth and wonder. Striking the right balance between comedy, drama, and romance, Entertaining Christmas is a movie that celebrates the spirit of Christmas in the most relatable, heart-tugging way possible.