Christmas On Ice Review: A Clumsy Attempt To Warm Hearts
Believe it or not, there are TV Christmas movies with enough depth and originality that they make for compelling conversation. Unfortunately for Christmas On Ice, it’s not one of them.
I’m drawn to its promise of a former Olympic figure skater doing all she can to save a local skating rink that means the world to her whist falling in love with an NHL player, but that’s not what it delivers.
Don’t worry, Courtney (Abigail Klein) does save the local outdoor ice skating rink. But it’s not for an extremely compelling reason other than the fact that she works there and may have grown up in the town.
The former Olympic figure skating hopeful doesn’t have memories of learning to skate there with her mother (whom we only know exists through dialogue) or training there.
She just works there and used to figure skate competitively before she tore her ACL. If we are meant to feel Courtney’s authentic connection to the rink beyond the fact that it employs her, it doesn’t come through at all.
Noah’s (Ryan Cooper) daughter Grace is the main reason we feel any joy for the outdoor rink. So, all of the stakes within fall flat.
Chemistry can cure many stumbles within a fluffy romantic comedy, and Klein and Cooper have some, but not enough to save the film.
Christmas On Ice also continuously undervalues its supporting storylines.
The B plot of Beth and Trevor falling in love has potential because they’re quirky enough to intrigue us. But we don’t get to watch them date. It breaks the “show, don’t tell” rule of storytelling. It’s a shame because a few scenes would’ve gone a long way.
Similarly to her love story, we only hear about Beth’s quest to get a photo book of crying kids meeting Santa published, we don’t see her trying. It’s a lazy C plot at best, but if she actually faces an obstacle or two on her journey, it has the potential to become its own movie.
Christmas On Ice could also benefit from more representation. It’s disappointing that there is none beyond a businessman pledging money to save the rink.
There are some cute moments in the film, mostly thanks to Grace. Gingerbread cookie ornaments are a lovely idea, but one can’t help but wonder how long they last before they go stale.
It’s very sweet that her deceased mother is the gingerbread angel at the top of the tree. But isn’t it hard to bite that particular head off when the time comes to eat?
The rink is ultimately saved because Mayor Greenwood is her “Oompa” and they can call the rink a memorial and dedicate it to Grace’s mom, who apparently also loved to skate.
But the fact that the whole conclusion of the film revolves around Courtney discovering what the word “Oompa” means is lazy. I know the mayor is Grace’s grandpa from the first time she uses the word.
TV movies will rarely give us deep, grand flashback scenes of our heroine training for the Olympics.
But if Christmas On Ice only recognized that its main love story should’ve been between Courtney and the rink to make everything else fall into place, it could’ve won a gold medal. Instead, it doesn’t even make the podium.
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What did you think of this episode of Christmas On Ice? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Christmas On Ice will air throughout the holiday season on Lifetime.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.
2 comments
I liked it actually. It has a lot of good points and was very sweet. That’s all I was really looking for.
I’ve watched the movie twice now. Knowing that it takes place in an actual city in Massachusetts on an actual skating rink The Oval makes it worth watching !
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