Following Yonder Star (2024)
Parasocial fanbase problems
She’s the star of a 1950s-esque, totally GAC-coded, show where her fanbase doesn’t think of her as separate from the “perfect mother” character she portrays.
The “scandal” she tries to hide away from is literally a parasocial fan chastising her in public and her having a human reaction… while being videotaped.
It wasn’t until I pulled the official synopsis from Hallmark that I understood the central plot of this movie. Or the male protagonist’s name. Granted, there was something strange happening with my PVR where it would jump ahead by 30 seconds? 2 minutes? every little while. Make of that what you will. Personally, I think I still have some low grade PTSD from the last Brooke D’Orsay movie I reviewed…
This follows a lot of the standard Hallmark Christmas movie formula:
No room at the luxury resort inn, so she has to find shelter elsewhere
Nativity play (typically Hallmark errs on the side of a “Christmas pageant” that isn’t overtly religious, so this was a little different)
He’s a widowed, single dad
Christmas masquerade ball (this should be standard)
Protagonists caught under the mistletoe
Jumping to conclusions to create conflict at the first opportunity
I did do a particularly dramatic eyeroll at the “Shepherd on a Search” tradition… oh, you know, instead of Elf on the Shelf. Exact same rules apply about finding him every day. Except this time without paying for licensing rights and with a touch more JC for the church-goers in the audience. We aren’t going to talk about how it was the Kings/Wise Men who were on the journey looking for the young man though… Wouldn’t want accuracy to get in the way of a good mediocre storyline.
From Hallmark:
Abby Marshall, once celebrated for her role as an inspirational mother on TV, is finding her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a luxury Vermont resort for Christmas only to find herself without a room due to a booking mishap. All the local hotels are booked up due to a rare astronomical event – a beautiful star said to mirror the Star of Bethlehem will appear on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, Abby finds a room at a quaint B&B, owned by Tom Maguire, who is also a high school astronomy teacher. Since his wife’s passing, Tom has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities, including running the inn and directing the local church’s Christmas pageant. Empathizing with Tom, Abby offers to help with the pageant and various activities around the inn and finds herself enjoying both the projects and Tom’s company. Through newfound community, family and love, Abby discovers that hope sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways. Starring Brooke D'Orsay and John Brotherton.
You’ll like this if…
You enjoy the preachier holiday content and have managed to erase A Fabled Holiday from your mind.
