Great American
Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄
Description: In the small town of Comfort, Kentucky, Ginny Nolan (Osnes) is determined to save her late mother’s cherished Christmas shop, Silver Bells, before mounting repairs cause it to close. When ambitious entrepreneur Nick Day (McPartlin) arrives with plans to buy the shop, Ginny finds herself at odds with his vision for the future but also drawn to him on a personal level. As her former music partner – and almost first love – Tyler Benton (Wicks) returns home to participate in a Christmas songwriting showcase, old feelings resurface. Caught between Nick’s compelling offer and obvious interest in her, and Tyler’s renewed connection, Ginny must choose between protecting the past she loves and embracing a future that could change her heart forever.
Overall Review: Great American is apparently determined to make me rethink my expectations this Christmas season, because Silver Bells at Christmas was another surprisingly solid production. At this rate, I may have to retire a few of my favorite complaints about the network. Don’t worry. I have plenty left.
First, let’s give credit where it’s due. Laura Osnes and Chuck Wicks are both professional singers, which meant the musical performances actually sounded like they belonged in a movie about music. Nobody had to awkwardly pretend to be blown away by a performance that lacked any real talent.
But the real surprise was the script. Great American found a Christmas movie love triangle that genuinely kept me guessing. I know. I was shocked, too. Usually, you can identify the romantic winner before the opening credits finish, but this time, the chemistry between Osnes and both of her potential love interests was convincing enough that I couldn’t figure out who she’d choose. More impressively, I couldn’t even decide who I wanted her to choose. That’s practically a Christmas movie miracle.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Great American without a few questionable decorating decisions. And since the movie takes place in Kentucky, I was willing to give the suspiciously summery scenery a pass. Had this been set in Vermont, we’d be having a very different conversation.
The movie is sweet, meaningful, and genuinely well done. I just wish they’d match the talent and quality script with a higher decorating budget.
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