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| This window display must have taken updwards of ten minutes to put together. |
Chyler Leigh brings it. The Grey’s Anatomy alum stars as Sloan Van Doren, artsy store decorator at a Macy’s surrogate. Sporting a short pixie-cut and chic all black, grey, and white wardrobe, she cuts through the Manhattan hustle and bustle with genuine star quality. Elfen-nosed and rosy-cheeked, dark brooding eyes beset in her wan, porcelain-white face, with the hint of a smile perpetually working its way across her holly-berry-red lips, she is absolute City Christmas perfection.
The script works (which puts it ahead of at least 90 percent of these movies), and the ensemble cast gels around the leads perfectly. A tingly James Jandrisch score delights - a mix of cute and hip, it’s constantly tuned in to what’s happening on screen and manages to never miss a beat while never getting in the way; it polishes the whole thing to the glimmery level of an iPhone commercial. And with Leigh and the more than capable Paul Campbell (as Jake) steering the ship, this movie shines.
The script works (which puts it ahead of at least 90 percent of these movies), and the ensemble cast gels around the leads perfectly. A tingly James Jandrisch score delights - a mix of cute and hip, it’s constantly tuned in to what’s happening on screen and manages to never miss a beat while never getting in the way; it polishes the whole thing to the glimmery level of an iPhone commercial. And with Leigh and the more than capable Paul Campbell (as Jake) steering the ship, this movie shines.
The chemistry between the two is palpable. They are both (gasp) relatively normal people. Neither overly ambitious nor wildly talented, they work hard (as up-and-coming window dressers… ahem, visual merchandisers) while enjoying themselves. Their relationship starts off with flirty quips and an authentic friendship that grows throughout, overshadowing the perfunctory mutual dislike that is ubiquitous between rom-com leads. Campbell’s comedic timing is well-honed (he’s the lead in a new Dave Foley CTV sitcom), and he channels Ryan Reynolds levels of likability. The fact that this movie was an obvious Elf List-er from the word “go”, coupled with it’s overall cuteness and watchability (a factor all too lacking in the genre), make it a must see.
The only real thorn in my side, or rather bone to be picked, or perhaps kvetch-worthy part of this movie, is the window decorating. The window decorating is fucking awful. I mean, makes-no-sense, drives-me-nuts awful. I had to make a conscious decision to ignore it about ten minutes in so I could enjoy the rest of the movie (which, oddly enough, I did). Having spent my fair share of time in a fabrication shop (does it give you voyeuristic pleasure getting a glimpse into my actual life?), I can't help myself from fixating on these details, but there's no way the combined budget for all of these attention-grabbing, crowd-drawing (and newsworthy, apparently) windows breaks $300. And this store is the "Bergdorf's" of it's universe. I know these things are shot on a shoestring budget, but there's really no excuse - they show soooo many actual props in the scenes leading up to the big window reveals that happen every 6 - 10 minutes. They finish decorating, cut scene, curtains dramatically draw - no fucking props!!!! What is going on?! I honestly started keeping track of how many times it was happening (I think it tapped into some previously unknown OCD that had been lying dormant). A mannequin being painted, trees being arranged, boxes of decorations and tripods and easels strewn about, branches and garlands laden with baubles - then, big reveal - an empty fucking window with a few knickknacks careless strewn about. Infuriating.
Again, just to recap, great movie. Confusing review? Yes. Confusing genre? Absolutely.
NSM - Non-Santa Movie
CC - Christmas Crime
CDEM - Capitalist Deus Ex Machina
MCM - Mild Christmas Mysticism
EL - Elf List
EN - Elfie Nominee - Chyler Leigh - best female lead, Paul Campbell - best male lead
Cheer up that coffee with some 'nog,
- Jon Bobby Elf
The only real thorn in my side, or rather bone to be picked, or perhaps kvetch-worthy part of this movie, is the window decorating. The window decorating is fucking awful. I mean, makes-no-sense, drives-me-nuts awful. I had to make a conscious decision to ignore it about ten minutes in so I could enjoy the rest of the movie (which, oddly enough, I did). Having spent my fair share of time in a fabrication shop (does it give you voyeuristic pleasure getting a glimpse into my actual life?), I can't help myself from fixating on these details, but there's no way the combined budget for all of these attention-grabbing, crowd-drawing (and newsworthy, apparently) windows breaks $300. And this store is the "Bergdorf's" of it's universe. I know these things are shot on a shoestring budget, but there's really no excuse - they show soooo many actual props in the scenes leading up to the big window reveals that happen every 6 - 10 minutes. They finish decorating, cut scene, curtains dramatically draw - no fucking props!!!! What is going on?! I honestly started keeping track of how many times it was happening (I think it tapped into some previously unknown OCD that had been lying dormant). A mannequin being painted, trees being arranged, boxes of decorations and tripods and easels strewn about, branches and garlands laden with baubles - then, big reveal - an empty fucking window with a few knickknacks careless strewn about. Infuriating.
Again, just to recap, great movie. Confusing review? Yes. Confusing genre? Absolutely.
NSM - Non-Santa Movie
CC - Christmas Crime
CDEM - Capitalist Deus Ex Machina
MCM - Mild Christmas Mysticism
EL - Elf List
EN - Elfie Nominee - Chyler Leigh - best female lead, Paul Campbell - best male lead
Cheer up that coffee with some 'nog,
- Jon Bobby Elf
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