Even though we had little money, we had faith, a big dream and ambition (work ethic) to make it possible. I truly believe all things are possible to those that believe. Matthew 19:26
Stacie Davis, writer/producer Christmas in Carolina
What began as a conversation in her mother’s home ended up as a dream project realized for Stacie Davis, writer and producer of the new holiday film CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINA that premiered today on VOD.
Supported by an entire village from her family, including her sister who wrote five original songs that are placed, to local churches, Davis produced a modern-day Scrooge-like romantic tale of a woman who finds love unexpectedly during the Christmas holiday.
Here’s the synopsis: After losing her parents in a car accident, Elle (Moore) a career driven investment banker has given up on love and Christmas until she meets Wesley (Saxon) a former NBA player and CEO of a small marketing firm. Wesley invites Elle to his hometown in South Carolina, with hesitation she accepts and is thrown for a loop where she falls in love and finds the spirit of Christmas again.
First things first, it was a joy to see Kellie Shanygne Williams (Charlotte Saxon) and Darius McCrary (Marlone), both of the iconic show Family Matters fame, reprise their roles as siblings for this film.
And of course, there are the familiar tropes that come along with holiday love stories, like the stubborn or angry person who’s magically transformed by love and the major obstacle that stands in the way of it.
It’s the last part that I believe is lagging as (slight spoiler) Ryan (Terrence Shingler), the person who attempts to stand in the way of Elle (Joslyn Hall) and Wesley’s (David L. Rowell) budding relationship, comes across more as immature than having a valid reason to interfere in his brother’s affairs.
To be completely honest, I also wanted to be incited and excited more in the beginning of the film, but it does pick up when the setting changes to mom’s (Williams) house in South Carolina.
And I greatly enjoyed the sermon inserted in the final act and feel that the church scenes are authentic and tie in nicely with the film.
In the end, I believe those into Christmas romance movies will be more forgiving and enjoy, as well as those that indulge in cheesy love stories. And although I love that Williams, who is earnest and fun-loving in her role as the matriarch, and McCrary are in it, I wish the tale and its editing were better developed.
I rate the film 2.5 out of 5 on the MMTrometer.
CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINA is available now On-Digital and On-Demand.
Until next thought, Thomasena
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