One Royal Holiday

One Royal Holiday is a charming holiday-themed movie from the 2020 Hallmark channel lineup. It stars Laura Osnes, renowned Broadway star, in the leading role. She sees her stage experience shine bright in her on-screen performance, making her a likable and relatable character. The queen's character is impeccably played by Krystal Joy Brown, another Broadway royalty, making the movie even more enchanting. Popular actor Tom McGowan lends his creative brilliance to add depth to the overall storyline, and his great performance lends an additional layer to the overall character dynamics.

As the title hints, One Royal Holiday intertwines the themes of royalty and the holiday season. Everything kicks off when medical professional and protagonist Anna, played by Laura Osnes, crosses paths with two people trapped in a snowstorm: the charming James and his mother, the candid queen Gabriella, whose respective roles are played by Aaron Tveit and Krystal Joy Brown. Anna, being the warm-hearted person that she is, offers them shelter at her father's inn based in the small town of Kentsbury in Connecticut without knowing their royal identities.

Anna is portrayed as a compassionate and empathetic individual. Even though she's busy preparing for the town's annual Christmas concert, she finds within her the holiday spirit of giving shelter to total strangers in need, making her the linchpin of the story. Meanwhile, queen Gabriella and prince James, initially reluctant to reveal their royal identities, soon let their guard down, swept along by the simple and authentic hospitality of Anna and the entire community of the humble town.

The story becomes even more compelling as Anna's father, played delightfully by Tom McGowan, discovers the royal identities of his unexpected guests. Keeping their secret to himself, he helps orchestrate an array of traditional holiday events that subtly instill values of commoners' hard work and unity into the royal guests.

The royal characters undergo significant transformation during their time in Kentsbury. Queen Gabriella connects with the simplicity of life away from the royal spectacle, learning important values that she felt were lacking in her overly ceremonial life. As for James, he is drawn to the openness and warmth of the town, especially the heartfelt nature and overwhelming generosity of Anna. However, the looming question remains whether their newfound perspectives will be enough to counterpose their royal duties and obligations once they return to their kingdom of Galwick.

The magical holiday film exhibits a beautiful contrast between the royal life and a life in a small, loving community. It portrays how, despite being from vastly different worlds and leading diametrically opposite lives, individuals can connect with each other on a personal, human level. The gulf between their worlds fades away, replaced by mutual respect and understanding when they experience each other's lives up-close.

Broadway star Victoria Clark makes a special appearance as Sara, Anna's mother, which adds a special flair to the movie. Each character, from the royals to the locals, is meticulously portrayed, bringing the Christmas spirit to life.

In many ways, One Royal Holiday is a unique Hallmark movie, offering viewers not just the typical blend of romance and holiday cheer, but also subtly offering a commentary on the potential pitfalls of privilege, the strength of communal life, and the universality of certain emotions and values like love, empathy, and humility.

The radiant performance of all the actors, especially Laura Osnes and Krystal Joy Brown, plus the beautiful traditional town backdrop, makes One Royal Holiday a charming movie to soak in the holiday spirit. The movie perfectly encapsulates the small-town charm and the essence of the holiday season, complete with idyllic snowfall, twinkling Christmas decorations, and heart-warming instances of festive generosity.

One Royal Holiday serves as a feel-good movie with a charming, relatable plot that reminds viewers of the true essence of the holiday season - love, empathy, compassion, and the willingness to support each other. It is an absolute must-watch for fans of Hallmark Channel's delightful Christmas offerings, or anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday tale with elements of surprise, romance, transformation, and finesse. The subtle royal flavor adds an extra pinch of magic, making this movie an unforgettable addition to the 2020 holiday-themed collection.