Christmas Cupid
PR pro Sloane Spencer has her sights set on the fast lane. But she’s blind to the people close to her: a lonely mother, a charming suitor…even a VIP celebrity client, whose tragic demise paves the way for a Christmas lesson in life and love. Can Sloane’s ghosts haunt her toward a new and improved Christmas-yet-to-come?
Christmas clichés:
Opens w/ City Scene
PR / Event Planner / Decorator
Career-Driven Woman
Evil Fiancé
Rekindled Romance
Public Domain Xmas Music
Our Thoughts
Christmas movies are known for being wholesome and earnest. “Christmas Cupid” isn’t that. When a main character dies early by choking on a martini olive, you know you’re in for an unconventional holiday film.
Opening with a catchy Mariah Carey deep Christmas track, we meet Sloane Spencer (Christina Milian), a Career-Driven Publicist who only cares about the next promotion. Her main client, the drunken starlet Caitlin (Ashley Benson, the best part of the movie), dies, and Sloane must plan the movie premiere party-turned-memorial.
When Caitlin returns to haunt Sloane, this sunny-LA movie becomes a modern “A Christmas Carol” tale – Sloane must change her ways before the 25th, and the ghosts of her “Ex-Mas” past, present, and future are there to teach her the lessons to become a more thoughtful person.
(Fun fact: According to Wikipedia, this was filmed under the title Ex-Mas Carol, which would have made way more sense.)
This movie is tricky to review. We like how the most compelling relationship is actually between our female leads than the Rekindled Romance between Sloane and her college sweetheart (Chad Michael Murray, bringing his rom-com smolder). We even chuckle at the titillating puns and innuendos sprinkled throughout.
But…there is not a lot of Christmas.
Fans of “A Christmas Carol” will appreciate the level of detail the film goes to recreate the Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, and Nephew Fred characters. Those who prefer movies that lean more toward Small-Town or …Santa? clichés could be put off by how this pushes the boundaries of the genre.
Rob's Final Take: Merry
A great palate cleanser during the Christmas movie season. Don’t expect holiday magic, but throw it on when the season’s goodies are getting too sweet.
Jess's Final Take: Merry
When I need a change from the traditional Christmas movie fare, this upbeat, edgy redemption story provides a unique angle to the season.
Details
Watch It On: Freeform and Hulu
Buy It From: Amazon (Streaming) and Amazon (DVD)
Starring: Christina Milian, Ashley Benson & Chad Michael Murray
