Nov 8

Nov 8 A Ring for Christmas

When Angie’s gravy train comes to an end, her only hope is a fortune she’ll inherit on her wedding day. She heads home to tab a tom turkey and get her just desserts, but soon finds herself chewing the fat with her old side, the chef at the local diner. Will she pursue billions with a man she doesn’t love…or bouillons with her perfect pairing?

Christmas clichés:

Opens w/ a City Scene
Deceased Parent
Contest as Plot Device
Small Town Guy who works w/ pancakes
Charity Work
Christmas Pageant
Carolers
Tree Buy & Trim
Ends w/ Kiss or Ring

Our Thoughts

The #7 pick on our 2020 Premieres List, we called “A Ring for Christmas” a potential underdog of the season. UPtv isn’t well-known as a Christmas movie go-to, and let’s be honest: the production values always leave viewers a little wanting.

If you’re keeping score, let the whopping 9 clichés spoil our takes—this one’s a solid addition to the genre.

Spoiled, rudderless Angie (Liliana Tandon, also the screenwriter!) hasn’t had direction since her Dad Passed Away. While her mother questions her spending and threatens to cut her off by Christmas Eve, she quickly hatches a plan to get engaged once she learns there a potential Marriage Trust in her future. Too bad she’s single…

Cut to a hometown visit to woo her high school crush, Tyler, whose best friend is also Angie’s nerdy former study buddy, Gabe (Dean Geyer, not on screen enough). Sparks fly when Angie crunches Gabe’s diner’s numbers and during a Charity Work Tree Buy & Trim scene. It’s obvious where Angie’s heart lies. Yet once Tyler learns the truth about the money, he’s willing to put a ring on it to fund his sports program.

It’s too bad this one stopped at only 9 cliches. There was plenty of room to weave in some Evil Fiance antics or have a Playful Food Fight in Gabe’s diner. Instead, the plot spends more time showing Angie’s charitable spirit and newfound connection to her hometown. Not a terrible choice, but it left potential on the table.

The production values weren’t half bad, but there were plenty of moments where we laughed at the screen. The numerous “phone calling” scenes had a slight manic energy, and the math word problems for tweens felt like they were better suited for kindergartners (unless that’s the current state of public education?). We also weren’t sure if Angie’s best friend ended up being the villain—she disappeared before the final scene after some questionable pre-wedding antics and never returned again…so that’s probably a yes.

The balance of the genre with some funny creative choices made this a winner. It didn’t bring tears to any eyes, but it definitely lifted our spirits. And that’s why we watch these films in the first place.

Rob's Final Take: Merry
Love the effort! It’s not Citizen Kane, but the joy and eagerness sets it apart from the usual canned Christmas fare.

Jess's Final Take: Merry
It’s not perfect, but it has a spunky energy that’s lacking from other networks. We laughed, we poked fun, and we got a fuzzy feeling. I’d watch again.