Falling for Christmas
Falling for Christmas
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Falling for Christmas is a predictable but tween-friendly holiday romantic comedy starring Lindsay Lohan and Glee's Chord Overstreet. Extremely wealthy characters learn about life's simpler pleasures following an accident, which involves falling down a mountain. One rams into a tree head first and loses her memory. Some characters, including a child, are also grieving loved ones who passed away. The same child makes a Christmas wish for her father to find new love, and there's a mysterious Santa-like character. The film underscores the idea that doing good for others has its own rewards and that wealth doesn't necessarily bring happiness. Expect a bit of drinking and mild flirtation and kissing. One character who goes from a relationship with one person to the appearance of one with another.
What's the Story?
Sierra Belmont (Lindsay Lohan) is the spoiled heiress of a ski resort magnate (Jack Wagner) in FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS. Her dad has created a job for her at the resort, though it's not what she wants to do. When pretentious boyfriend Tad (George Young) proposes marriage, it seems she has life figured out. That is, until she slides backwards down the top of a mountain and runs head-on into a tree, resulting in a case of amnesia. Local inn owner and widower Jake (Chord Overstreet) takes her in when the hospital staff doesn't know what else to do with her. With Jake, his daughter Avy (Olivia Perez), and mother-in-law Alejandra (Alejandra Flores), Sierra discovers some of life's simpler joys for the first time. Sierra's father is looking for her, and her memory is bound to come back eventually. Will Avy's Christmas wish for his father to find love again come true?
Is It Any Good?
'Tis the season for predictable holiday-themed romances offering actors spotlight and even comeback roles. Think Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes in 2021's A Castle for Christmas (which makes an appearance in a scene from Falling for Christmas), and replace them with Lohan and Overstreet. The film marks a return for Lohan, and she will be the main draw for this movie, judging by online anticipation already building. However, the highlight is narcissist fiancé Tad, played to the hilt by U.K.-born Young.
The film is a serviceable feel-good romance, but its premise -- heiress with amnesia who nobody in a small town recognizes -- requires blind faith, and making light of skiing accidents isn't in particularly good taste. You might have the sense you've seen it all before (there's even a prior film listed in IMDb with a similar premise and the same name). Falling is definitely best in its campier moments when it's not taking itself too seriously, like Sierra, with an entourage, all dolled up to take selfies, and Tad lost in the snowy mountains with ice-fishing survivalist Ralph. Listen for tunes performed by Overstreet, Lohan, and sister Aliana Lohan.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Falling for Christmas would have been a very different movie if it weren't set during the holiday season. What would have needed to be changed?
Sierra's life takes a complete turn due to her accident. What messages did you take away from this storyline and Sierra's evolution?
Do you believe in Christmas wishes and miracles? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 11, 2022
- Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young
- Director: Janeen Damian
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Fairy Tales, Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
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