Friday Picks: Monday, dec. 14

Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding

Lifetime's first-ever Christmas sequel! Follow Jacquie as she and Tyler try to plan their perfect destination Christmas wedding. Naturally, Jacquie's plans go awry when her boisterous family intervenes in her planning and her snooty wedding planner quits in protest. While nothing goes as initially planned, Jacquie and Tyler get a Christmas wedding more memorable than they could have ever dreamed.

Why we chose it:

There was no question that our Friday Pick for December had to be a holiday movie. While some ring in the festive season with white elephant or holiday baking exchanges, the Friday Picks team has an annual tradition of debating the unique frustration and confounding charm of holiday movies, and this year is no exception. Why are these movies so cookie cutter when it comes to plot points and settings? And we've seen Hollywood make strides to represent diverse stories and audiences, so why don't we see that same shift in this genre? Toronto filmmaker Sharon Lewis admits that holiday movies weren't her favourite for these reasons (and more). But when she got the chance to direct Lifetime's Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding, starring Kelly Rowland and featuring an all-Black cast, she made an exception. We spoke with Lewis to find out her take on the holiday movie genre, and the changes she'd like to see next season and beyond.

Why does it matter that Christmas movies are so lacking in diversity?

1. Who’s the target audiences for Christmas movies, and do you think they notice or care about the lack of diversity?

2. Anecdotally, lots of feminists still enjoy these movies, despite the lack of representation. Why do you think that is?

3. This year, there’s a noticeable increase in diversity. What does this mean for Christmas movies moving forward? Do you think this will attract new audiences?

4. What’s your favourite holiday romcom? Why?

About the director:

Sharon Lewis is an award-winning director, producer, writer, showrunner, actor and on-air host. She began her acting career in the title role of Rude, an official Cannes selection. She also co-wrote and directed the smash hit play Sistahs, and hosted CBC’s live political talk show, counterSpin, and their interactive TV show Zed. As a director, her award-winning short films Chains and Ritch have been broadcast on BET, HBO, and CBC, and her debut feature film, Brown Girl Begins, was likely the first Canadian-Caribbean fantasy feature film.

Want more diverse holiday romances (or insight on representation in romance)? Here are some articles, books and videos that we recommend.

The Unwatchable Whiteness of Holiday Movies

“Watching a hallmark movie is like taking half a benzo in an Ikea showroom in the middle of Stockholm. It is a mild, innocuous soporific propped up by a staged, suburban, pseudo-elegant scene populated by a large number of nice-looking white people,” writes Soraya Roberts in The Walrus. “This particular tranquilizer is designed specifically for a white, conservative audience, enveloping the parade of Pleasantvilles in a sinister frame. Its audience loudly touts traditional family values and charity while less loudly opposing multiculturalism, gender fluidity, and homosexuality. According to the Post, Hallmark’s ratings surged in 2015 when Donald Trump arrived on the political landscape and have continued to soar since, with a number of husbands joining the predominantly female demographic. While every other channel is losing viewers to Netflix, Hallmark—which calls itself ‘the heart of TV’—is commanding almost as much attention as the news.”

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day… or are they?

All The Feels: An Unauthorized Hallmark Movie Podcast

In addition to the podcast’s annual bracket, which pits seasonal romcoms against one another to determine the year’s ultimate holiday movie, this podcast also includes interviews with Hallmark stars about diversity and discussed making Christmas movies in COVID times.

Make the Yuletide Gay: Why We Need More Queer Christmas Movies

“As the temperatures drop and Starbucks brings out those coveted red cups, that only means one thing: cheesy, delightful holiday movies that are all about the power of family, love, and, of course, Christmas cheer. But there’s something obnoxiously similar about many of these movies: they are all about cisgender, heterosexual couples. They reinforce stereotypical gender dynamics, and while yes they are just movies, they speak volumes about the kinds of love that society deems the most important,” writes Mary Beth McAndrews in Film School Rejects.

The Christmas House

Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis and patriarch Bill, have summoned their two grown sons, Mike and Brandon, home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart. Starring Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence, Jonathan Bennett, Brad Harder, and Mattia Castrillo.

Where to watch:

Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding premieres on CityTV on Dec. 16
at 9 p.m. ET.