Last week Katy (the other author of this blog) sent me a screenshot of a Netflix-produced holiday movie called A Christmas Prince. At the time they only had a preview for the film and after watching it I was sure this was going to be a great one! And by great I mean it looked like they were purposely trying to make it bad. I mean, how many holiday movie cliches can you fit into one 90-minute film! There's a kid in a wheelchair, an underappreciated magazine editor with no life, a bad-boy prince just dripping in "mystery", snowball fights, low-budget royal ball scenes. This movie is so cliche that the main character, Amber, has TWO sassy best friends.
When I actually started watching the full movie all of my assumptions about it were totally true. But isn't that what we love about these movies? That we know exactly where they are going and we get exactly what we want? Every one ends up the same and there is something comforting about that.
Right from the start on this one I had a slew of questions. How does a royal family have such lax security in their home that a random girl from America can just walk in and pretend to be a tutor? They check your passport when you check into a hotel but you're telling me they don't check the ID of the princess's tutor. Totally makes sense.
As the characters continue to be introduced, the cliches continue to mount. Richard, the prince, is sorely misunderstood and doesn't seem to know he's good looking. Sofia, the prince's former love, is devious, soulless and most definitely has ulterior motives. Simon, the prince's cousin, is next in line for the crown so you know he's up to not good too. Oh, and there is a mysterious acorn.
About halfway through the film we come to the main character's crisis of conscience where Amber/Martha has to choose between her feelings for the prince and her commitment to her job. Oops, did I just spoil that she's falling for the prince? Oh wait, nope. Everyone knows that's what's happening because it's a holiday rom-com. The twist that's presented at this point is a pretty good one, something that I hadn't expected.
Now, I don't want to completely give away the ending but let's just say the second half includes a makeover scene, slow-motion waking down stairs, perfectly executed dancing, revelation of secrets and some snowfall kissing. As much as I might hate how many cliches they stacked into this one I can't help but loving how it turns out in the end.
I would give this movie a 7 out of 10 on my holiday movie rating scale. The acting is pretty good but the writing is stiff in places. I would say it's a pretty valiant effort on Netflix's part to dip their toe in the cheesy holiday romantic comedy genre.
Best line of the movie:
The elderly Queen: "I happen to know my way around a bobsled"
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| Credit HERE |
When I actually started watching the full movie all of my assumptions about it were totally true. But isn't that what we love about these movies? That we know exactly where they are going and we get exactly what we want? Every one ends up the same and there is something comforting about that.
Right from the start on this one I had a slew of questions. How does a royal family have such lax security in their home that a random girl from America can just walk in and pretend to be a tutor? They check your passport when you check into a hotel but you're telling me they don't check the ID of the princess's tutor. Totally makes sense.
As the characters continue to be introduced, the cliches continue to mount. Richard, the prince, is sorely misunderstood and doesn't seem to know he's good looking. Sofia, the prince's former love, is devious, soulless and most definitely has ulterior motives. Simon, the prince's cousin, is next in line for the crown so you know he's up to not good too. Oh, and there is a mysterious acorn.
About halfway through the film we come to the main character's crisis of conscience where Amber/Martha has to choose between her feelings for the prince and her commitment to her job. Oops, did I just spoil that she's falling for the prince? Oh wait, nope. Everyone knows that's what's happening because it's a holiday rom-com. The twist that's presented at this point is a pretty good one, something that I hadn't expected.
Now, I don't want to completely give away the ending but let's just say the second half includes a makeover scene, slow-motion waking down stairs, perfectly executed dancing, revelation of secrets and some snowfall kissing. As much as I might hate how many cliches they stacked into this one I can't help but loving how it turns out in the end.
I would give this movie a 7 out of 10 on my holiday movie rating scale. The acting is pretty good but the writing is stiff in places. I would say it's a pretty valiant effort on Netflix's part to dip their toe in the cheesy holiday romantic comedy genre.
Best line of the movie:
The elderly Queen: "I happen to know my way around a bobsled"
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