Love Always, Santa

Love Always, Santa is a captivating Hallmark Christmas movie from 2016 which effortlessly fuses the omnipresent magic of the holiday season with touching sentiments of love and hope. Directed by Brian Herzlinger, this heartwarming tale stars Marguerite Moreau, Mike Faiola, and Brady Smith, who all deliver striking performances that further add depth to their richly drawn characters.

At the heart of this film is Celia Banks, played by the talented Marguerite Moreau, who has spent the past three years since her husband's death trying to settle into her new reality as a single mother. Despite her sorrow, Celia stays strong for her young daughter Lily, striving to keep the joyous spirit of Christmas alive in their hearts despite the deep loss they share. Christmas for them is not just a season of celebration but also a time for remembering their affectionate and loving husband and father.

One of the heartrending yet beautiful traditions the two share is writing letters to Santa, a ritual Lily takes very seriously. Encouraged by her mother to write Santa a letter each year at the beginning of the Christmas month, Lily’s letters are filled with an immense amount of love, affection, and a wish for only one thing – happiness for her mother.

Mike Faiola plays the character of Jake Anderson, a novelist based in the magical city of Minneapolis, who experiences a bit of a writer's block. To make ends meet, Jake takes on a part-time holiday job to answer children’s letters to Santa. When he comes across Lily's heartfelt words asking Santa to grant her mother happiness again, he is deeply moved.

Jake's character, originally hard-shelled due to his struggling career and personal disillusionment, slowly experiences a thawing of emotions as he finds himself not only responding to Lily's letters as Santa but also penning personal notes to Celia. A bond forms over the correspondence, bringing about light-hearted exchanges and emotive discussions that touch upon their shared experiences, dreams, and hopes.

Celia, initially cautious of this stranger writing to her but drawn by his heartening words and empathetic understanding of her situation, finds herself opening up too. This correspondence gradually builds into a friendship that is as unexpected as it is profound. They not only find solace in sharing their feelings but also ignite inspiration in each other's lives.

In the midst of this evolving relationship through letters, Brady Smith plays the role of Celia's well-intentioned and earnestly supportable neighbor and chef, Liam. He is content in being Celia's friend, but also harbors a soft spot for her. Liam's character adds a delightful twist to the storyline, making the audience question if he is the right man to bring happiness to Celia and Lily’s lives.

As these relationships build and intertwine, Love Always, Santa portrays a Christmas story that is not simply about the stereotypes of holiday miracles, snow-covered streets, and shimmering lights. It goes beyond to deliver a poignant narrative of how hope and love can organically blossom in the most challenging and unexpected circumstances. It is about discovering and embracing new chances of happiness, even when it seems impossible.

The film presents a beautiful glimpse into serene Minnesota winter, hallmarking the season's festivities. It beautifully complements the innocent yet desperate hope of a little girl, the quiet strength of a grieving mother, and the unexpected journey of a self-doubting writer as they each navigate the magical festive period.

In conclusion, Love Always, Santa is an enchanting and heartfelt Christmas movie that warms the viewer's heart with its touching tale of resilience and the power of unexpected connections. It takes you on a journey that beautifully captures the poignant depths of sorrow, the thrilling hope of new beginnings, and the magical wonders of the Christmas spirit. Each character grows and navigates their way to happiness while reminding us of the real meaning of the season – love, hope, and the joy of giving. This movie is a must-see for anyone who enjoys heartfelt dramas and loves well-depicted, evolving relationships framed against the background of warm and magical holiday season.