A Castle For Christmas Review: Tis the Season for A Scottish Fairytale
Like most roads in the great country of Scotland, A Castle For Christmas treads unpaved and bumpy terrain.
There are rough parts, some so rough surely Scotland could sue for being associated with such a hot mess. Yet, this latest addition to Netflix’s Christmasverse (because what else was that Princess Switch cameo for) learns to embrace the charms of its journey through the Scottish countryside and find the way to our hearts.
Expensive tartan trimmings and grand historical locations turn this cringy Hallmark wannabe into a comfort watch with infectious warmth and admirable delusion.
This rom-com has a dismal start. It blasts viewers with awful floating graphics, over-the-top writer tropes, and one unbearable interview blowup that threatens to upend this entire film with second-hand embarrassment.
It’s one of the worst opening scenes this film could have landed on, and that’s saying a lot considering literal acting royalty, Drew Barrymore is involved.
You want to believe it’s all uphill from here, but that is not always the case. The character defaults are ruthlessly obnoxious and sickening sweet. The class politics are somewhat insulting given the portrayal of these quaint village people, and the premise hinges on a tedious pro-rich agenda.
The first act relies on awkward scenes that become increasingly difficult to watch as they make a fool of this plot and its protagonist. It’s a reminder that second-hand embarrassment and poorly written characters are not a genre staple; they’re an unnecessary byproduct.
It’s not until A Castle For Christmas takes a step back and realizes where it is that this rom-com finds its footing — and its fairytale romance.
Scotland is the star of the show, bringing this story to life in ways the formulaic stript cannot with grand castle settings and quaint bed and breakfasts perfect for knitting groups to seize. It all plays into a European Gilmore Girls aesthetic that is cozy as it is comforting to linger in.
Fans of Outlander especially will adore a chance to return to the original stomping grounds of the series, with familiar sets popping up from time to time.
The lively folk music, plaid patterns, and rich settings of this fantasy offer a dreamy escape to rom-com enthusiasts. Even when we have nothing, we have the rolling hills of an enchanting, yet fictional, version of Scotland. It demonstrates how imperative shooting on location can be to the ambiance of these stories.
If the notion of this wanderlust setting doesn’t pique your interest, you can undoubtedly find some humor in the film’s depiction of “Scottish” accents and castles that are just fancy stone mansions.
Once we move past the fickle purchasing of a whole-ass castle, the temperature of this romance certainly rises as it forces Myles and Sophie into a reluctant roommate situation, and the Scottish Duke’s evil plan to evict her turns into love.
The grumpy Duke trope will never grow tiresome, not with lines like, “Let her in? I’m trying to get rid of her.”
The townspeople are lovely additions, often carrying the wholesome, candy-cane sweetness of this rom-com along with their cheerful antics and scandalous shop-talk. They gently disarm our leads of bitter hostility, ushering in comforting escapism as they deck the halls with colorful knits and sweet treats.
Despite everything working against this movie’s shortcomings, you will grow to like its supporting and heartwarming nature. You maybe even enjoy it at times, and that’s what these movies are all about — embracing the chaos of Christmas.
Spread the holiday cheer and champion the rich for their town-saving checkbooks because this tinsel-loving, tartan-toting romance is drunk on the energy of its bubbly escapism. It’s a good time, most of the time.
The destination is predictable, and the journey is bearable. However, when everything comes together, this rom-com offers everyone a simplistic comfort watch with a view. It won’t require much brainpower to enjoy, and that in itself is a holiday miracle.
The expansive Scottish landscape and melancholy pacing of this festive tour through the highlands confirms A Castle For Christmas has its charms.
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A Castle for Christmas is streaming now on Netflix.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf