A Christmas To Treasure

Just when I was wondering that 2022 gave us just one gay Christmas holiday film, I stumbled upon this film that was telecast on Lifetime channel. But, you know, I also realized that a lot depends on the mood and time when you watch a film. I am very sure had I seen this film just two weeks back at the peak of Christmas spirit, I would have been ok with things being shown in the film, but as it stand out, I just couldn't help but notice glaring flaws in everything that was unfolding in front of me. And I feel bad, because Christmas films are usually about holiday spirit, and its the same thing that made this film so over dramatic and lousy at the same time for me.

The story is simple. The film is about a group of six estranged friends, who are brought together for one last Christmas to celebrate the passing of a beloved elderly friend, Ms. Marley. The group consists of a rich back couple, two friends running a new digital marketing company together, a guy working in city office and Everett who has moved back to town a few years back. They all have history together and slowly it unfolds but all friends are very happy to see each other. As they work together to solve a holiday treasure hunt, they reflect upon their shared past. Everett and another guy Aaron have a history where they shared a kiss and Everett just disappeared. These former friends feel sparks reigniting their paths, but their priorities in their life are still very different. As their treasure hunt comes to a close, they have to decide whether to hold on to the past or look to the future.

Even though the story talks about 6 friends, clearly the focus is on Everett and Aaron , which makes it our quintessential gay holiday film. Austin is nursing a wound of long standing, still hurt that Everett had left many years before without saying goodbye. As it turns out, Everett reciprocated Austin’s feelings when they were younger. However, he wasn’t ready to be “out” – to admit to the world (and his parents) that he’s gay. And, as it turns out, when he did finally find the courage to do so, his honesty lost his relationship with his parents for several years. As complex the situation is, the forgiveness happens too soon. Sure this is a lifetime movie and everything is supposed to be happy, but there has to be some emotional honesty to the characters and it just all felt so fake. And this is my biggest issue with the film. None of the actors had any chemistry and everything just felt so fake and drama and forced. Right form the smiles, to hugs, to awful acting by Aaron's parents to the whole treasure hint angle where these six people just know exactly where things are hidden; it was just all very childish. Also, these two supposed friends who were in love with each other; its good that they are back, but Austin literally forcing Everett to make a decision to be with him and more to LA just seemed unreal to me. Besides these two main characters, all the other characters are just there as fillers and don't add much to the story. They do add to the fact that this film was made by some amateur director and I was just chuckling at places where the acting felt so fake and forced. Overall, the plot is just dumb and there are so many inconsistencies. The entire premise itself is weak and to make matters worse we have weak actors with no chemistry. Now that I am writing this review, I am sure I wouldn't have liked the film a lot more more even two weeks back , but maybe just slightly better. As it stands now, this film about two people finding their way back to each other, and about learning when to hold on and when to let go just doesn't amen the cut and is easily forgettable. (3.5/10)