Merry Swissmas
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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