Merry Swissmas

 

Merry Swissmas (2022) - Hallmark

Reviewed By Lisa Sue

As my partner in crime has lamented, it has been harder this year to get into the holiday spirit and watch these Christmas movies. I don’t think it’s a reflection on them, they haven’t changed. They seem to be pushing the same formula, trying to spread cheer as best they know how. So what’s wrong? I dunno, that may be an unanswerable question in this continuing dumpster fire that is living in 2022. But I don’t blame them, honestly. So what is one to do if you don’t have a fancy algorithm like Chris? Well, I have had to up a the vetting process. Watching trailers and then determining if they have the IT factor. IT being something crazy or silly to push it over the top, make it stand out. Oddly, I can’t say this movie’s trailer really did that except for it takes place in Switzerland, and while that isn’t peak exotic, it was enough for this movie to make the cut. So come on down, A Christmas in Switzerland, you’re the next contestant on the Price Is Right!

I’m only kidding. We lose by watching these, so you can win by ignoring them. So what’s this set up? Well, Alex is some jet setting boutique hotel architect and she’s about to spend Christmas with her mom and brother in Switzerland. Since her dad has died, her mom’s had a rough time and now has found herself on a Swiss adventure. Something about the mom’s family is from Switzerland and as such she has plenty of cousins there is the explanation on how she ended up halfway around the world.  It looks like the mom is opening a B&B right after the holidays, except the B&B seems to be running pretty smoothly already, with a top notch manager in Liam and a talented chef in Louis who brings the comedy. 

Mom does have an ulterior motive for the holidays, although in a refreshing change of pace it isn’t to set up her daughter. Mom has invited her good friend Nadine and Nadine’s daughter Beth to spend Christmas with the family as they used to spend Christmases together in the past so it only seemed natural to invite them to the B&B.  Unfortunately, something has happened to break up the families and the former BFFs Alex and Beth. What could possibly have come between these two formerly inseparable best friends? You guessed it, a guy. Alex’s ex Jessie, and Beth started dating just a few months after Alex and Jessie’s break up and Alex just couldn’t find it in her to keep the friendship with Beth. We understand Alex’s dilemma and sympathize with Alex’s surprise/hurt shock when Nadine and Beth show up at the B&B! The moms think it is time to let bygones be bygones, however Alex is still holding on to the grudge just a tad. Again, we kinda feel her anger is righteous. And kudos to Jodie for making it believable that she would tolerate Beth for the sake of the visit and yet we don’t dislike Alex the character despite the hate and anger. She seems to be the one getting played after all, making it a fine line to walk between an annoying and realistic portrayal, no doubt. And it got me thinking, is Steph Tanner the least annoying Tanner sister from Full House? I don’t have a great wealth of research, having watched way more of DJ’s work, and hardly any of Michelle’s work. But as Coffee Talk said, discuss amongst yourselves. In lesser hands, I feel Alex would come off less sympathetic.

And what have we learned after watching this movie? That in Switzerland there’s a whole separate set of traditions- including Samichlaus; who looks a lot like Father Christmas but doesn’t actually bring presents. He comes early, December 6th. Then there’s Samichlaus’s helper, Schmutzli who’s like dirty and evil. He puts the naughty kids into his bag and carries them away. For this movie, Schmutzli simply chased children and Alex with a broom. Fun times! Commenters feel free to add details that I’m leaving out of wiki. We got to see a traditional European Christmas market, which got me wondering the difference between artisan and artisanal. If there really is a difference?  I’m sure there’s an upcharge for the artisanal, however the candle makers are artisans selling their wares. You get the impression there is no 'artisanal' in traditional European villages and towns. The hot chocolate was sipped, this is Switzerland after all, and we were introduced to most, Swiss hot cider. Which Alex seemed to enjoy, and Liam was more than happy to supply. Quick interjection, there was plenty of snow, Jodie looked heavily bundled up indicating that this wasn’t necessarily the typical Christmas movie shot in summer. I did wonder if it was filmed on location in Switzerland, turns out some northern town in Quebec filled the void. But according to Jodie, the cold was real. Back to the story- even though the mom wanted Alex and Beth to make up, really we knew this movie was going to have but one direction and that’s Alex and Liam together at Christmas.

So how does the movie maneuver us there? Well, Liam is happy to show Alex around his hometown and Alex obliges. If it means Alex gets to avoid her mom and Beth as well, that’s just a lucky coincidence. Liam totally has an American accent, turns out actor is Canadian, so kudos for not subjecting him and us to some hybrid Swiss accent. Liam is raising his son Kelby alone, mom died. That’s two dead parents and definitely one “orphaned” kid so scratch that off the bingo cards. Liam moved back to his hometown so Kelby can be nearer to his grandparents; and it would appear Liam could get some built in baby sitting. They see the advent Christmas calendar reveal, referred to as Adventsfenster; turns out Liam is set to unveil the Inn’s window on the 24th! Of which he could really use Alex’s help. For two people stressed about a hotel opening, they sure do find plenty of non hotel opening things to do, just noticing. While creating the Inn’s window (Inn, hotel, does it matter?) Kelby confides to Alex that he misses singing Silent night with his mom. Kelby’s afraid he’s starting to forget her. I appreciate the movie is open about a kid’s loss of a parent, and while ultimately used as a means to an end, they did let Kelby express his feelings. 

The happy not-couple is about to break up, because over protective Liam doesn’t appreciate that he wasn’t consulted by Alex before Kelby and her sing Silent night on December 24. Liam doesn’t want Kelby getting attached to someone else who will only be leaving. Whelp, by now the movie has just about 8 minutes left. How are we to close this out? Before I forget, the aforementioned Jessie actually did come to surprise his fiancé in Wengen, which hits as a double whammy to Alex who was just ready to start moving forward with Beth until the engagement news hits. Turns out everyone else knew they were engaged, but Alex. Who really should have seen the signs, and was she expecting them to break up? Anyways, the movie zooms towards a finish with Beth and Alex trying to pick up their friendship, they did miss each other after all. And then of course, Alex apologizes to Liam for overstepping. Liam apologizes for being too harsh, and they all continue to ski and sled their way through a Swiss winter because Alex isn’t jetting off to build another boutique hotel. She’s going to stay and try and plant some roots! And she gave Kelby a very nice gift, using her skills as an architect she builds Kelby a replica of his old house with his mom’s piano. So Kelby doesn’t forget. Because we know these movies are all about getting a man, by staying true to family. 

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