Rebecca Dalton, known for her role in “Good Witch,” takes on the character of Charlotte, an emerging luxury fashion designer with her own boutique on the bustling streets of New York City. Despite having a significant presence in all five boroughs, an employee, and an online store, things are not as prosperous as they seem.
While she struggles with the designer's block and confronts a leaking roof, Charlotte receives distressing news from home: the precious Elfcapades are going offline. To complicate matters, her employee Margo de Ella (played by Adriana Vásquez) signs her up for the Warwick Christmas Design Challenge. The challenge: create holiday-inspired men's and women's looks with a family twist for the Christmas Eve show, with the opportunity to design for one of New York's leading department stores at stake.
Director: Jo-Anne Brechin
Writer: Ansley Gordon
Stars: Susie Abromeit, Liam McIntyre, Vanessa Moltzen
Seeking inspiration for designs suitable for the Warwick family store, Charlotte returns to her Connecticut hometown, where she faces not only the end of the Elfcapades but also her mother's new partner, Rick (Tim Progosh), a family who disapproves of her and a former fiancé who now serves as mayor. A twist of fate brings her into contact with Spencer (Jonathan Keltz), the town's mechanic and her most eligible bachelor.
While Charlotte and Spencer initially clash, their relationship evolves as Spencer infuses small-town charm into his designs and attracts the attentions of local women. As the story unfolds, the predictable trajectory of a Hallmark movie takes shape, with Christmas magic guiding the narrative.
The small Connecticut town annually holds Elfcapades, a 12-day holiday extravaganza that features events like The Night Market and Pajamboree, where everyone wears pajamas. However, the absence of real elves during these holidays remains a Christmas mystery.
The film sticks to the typical Hallmark formula, featuring the Warwick Christmas Design Challenge, similar to a Project Runway mini challenge that culminates with a Christmas Eve parade. Despite the familiarity of this pattern, “Christmas by Design” fails to inject uniqueness and whimsy into the narrative. The title change of “Jingle Jammies” is emblematic of the film’s broader theme: opting for the familiar over the bold.
While it follows the well-trodden Hallmark path, “Christmas by Design” lacks the depth, heart and originality seen in other 2023 releases like “Checkin’ It Twice.” The film misses opportunities to deepen character arcs, explore relationships, and add unexpected twists. It raises questions like what would happen if Charlotte brought her assistant to her home or if Spencer played a larger role as a buffer against the town's anxious ladies. The lack of makeovers in a fashion-focused Christmas romance also leaves a notable gap. These small tweaks could elevate a formulaic Hallmark romance, but unfortunately, “Christmas by Design” blends in with the crowd of Christmas movies and lacks the audacity to stand out.
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