Homegrown Christmas Review: A Great Example of Unique Storytelling

When one turns on a Hallmark movie they expect to see a mushy romance that follows a specific timeline. However, each story has its own unique spin to that said timeline.

Homegrown Christmas is one of their newest and greatest examples of unique storytelling. The warm, fuzzy feelings it conveys gets everyone into the holiday spirit, just in time for Christmas.

Synopsis: Maddie sells her business and returns home for Christmas to decide her future. Facing a cool reception from her sister Hallie and her former beau Carter, who resent her for leaving, Maddie wants to talk but nobody’s ready. Finally, while transforming the barn for a Christmas dance, Maddie and Carter admit their love never diminished. Hoping to reconnect with Hallie, and wanting to start over with Carter, Maddie is conflicted when a pop star offers her a shoe design. Opportunity might have come knocking for Maddie again, except she’d hoped it would be in her hometown not in New York.

First off, the casting choices are phenomenal.

Lori Laughlin is always a delight to watch, and this movie is no different. She especially shines in scenes with her real-life daughter, Bella Gianulli. The two are extremely talented and watching Gianulli it is obvious that the talent didn’t skip a generation.

Then there is Victor Webster who plays off Laughlin’s charm with a receptively charming persona of his own. The two make it believable that their characters have some unfinished business with each other, as well as some unrequited feelings.

Talented and compelling cast members are only half of the formula for greatness. The other half is, of course, the story.

Homegrown Christmas may seem, on the surface, like just another “woman goes home after years away and realizes what she’s missed all these years” story. However, once you delve in a little deeper you realize that there is more than what meets the eye.

Maddie Finley comes back home, after selling her company, to find a new focus. Fortunately for viewers, everyone around her also goes on a journey of self-discovery. This is what makes it a one-of-a-kind tale.

Usually, a good holiday film only focuses on the growth of the main character. With this movie, the magic is in everyone growing and changing as a result of the main character, or Maddie’s, growth.

As Maddie learns to alter her dreams just a little bit, her sister learns to forge her own path that also includes Maddie. This allows the two sisters to bond in a way they never thought possible. Which, ends up strengthening Maddie’s resolve and connection to staying in Claremont.

All the while, Maddie helps her high school sweetheart, Carter, find confidence in risk-taking. He is extremely resistant to her attempts for his growth at first, but eventually, his niece helps him to see the error of his ways.

Maddie: I will never apologize for following my dreams and I’ll never apologize for seeing greatness in you. I just hope someday you’ll see it in yourself.

The whole journey is heartwarming and beautiful. One that does at times seem overdone, but the little nuances make it a unique retelling. 

This storytelling beauty is all in thanks to Nina Weinman Smith, who wrote the script. She shows the individuality of Carter’s story through its connection to his niece’s story. His niece wants to be a designer and seeks the help of Maddie.

This extended exposure to Maddie and her energy and passion is what ultimately changes Carter’s heart about his talents. 

Homegrown Christmas stands out amongst the crowd because it allows each character to have goals and passions separate from Maddie. It makes everyone a major part of the whole story, instead of just minor details to complete Maddie’s journey.

This holiday movie marks itself among the other festive titles watched again and again. It’s a Christmas tradition in the making.

What did you think of Homegrown Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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