You may need heard about dueling Christmas TV films impressed by the real-life romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, however whereas Lifetime’s “Christmas within the Highlight” is certainly an artificial-tree homage to the Swift/Kelce story, the Hallmark film “Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story” is NOT a soccer participant/pop star love story, regardless that the latter movie was is ready squarely in Chiefs Nation and even incorporates a cameo by Mama Donna Kelce.
It’s type of so much to unwrap. Let’s get to it.
It’s solely becoming that Hallmark presents “Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story,” given the corporate is predicated in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. Within the prologue, Hunter King’s Alana Higman explains that her household has had Chiefs season tickets since 1967, and they’re the last word superfans; why, they even run a Chiefs memorabilia retailer referred to as KC Nook. Alana is a robust, sensible, unbiased, candy, stunning girl, however as a result of she doesn’t have a person, everybody in her household clucks and worries about her as if it’s 1952. Perhaps real love will stroll within the door sooner or later!
‘Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story’
Enter Derrick Taylor (Tyler Hynes), who’s the “Director of Fan Engagement” for the Chiefs, and it’s a miracle Derrick bought the job, given he’s unfamiliar with Kansas Metropolis and even (gasps) likes soccer. “I didn’t develop into an enormous soccer fan till I began working for the staff,” says Derrick. (Huh?)
On the urging of his colleagues, Derrick lastly tries some Kansas Metropolis barbecue, and that’s our cue for Donna Kelce (sporting a signed Travis Kelce jersey) to pop in because the supervisor of a BBQ joint in Independence. When Derrick meets and turns into shut with Alana and her household, he doesn’t inform them what he does for a residing (he needs folks to love him for him, not his Chiefs connection), however the reality involves gentle when the Higmans are finalists for Fan of the Yr.
The fantastic Ed Begley is a heat presence as Alana’s grandfather, who was given a Chiefs hat by an area Santa Claus again in 1969 — a hat the household believes has magical powers come playoff time. A handful of former and present Chiefs make temporary cameos. When Andy Reid makes a late look, the scene is filmed in a means that has us questioning if he was even with the actors that day, or simply recited a few traces individually. When you’re a Chiefs fan, you’ll in all probability get a kick of out the entire thing. Unsure how properly it’s going to play in Raider Nation.
“Christmas within the Highlight” opens with the newly single, Taylor-esque pop megastar Bowyn Sykes (Jessica Lord) recording a video the place she sings:
“I’ll be alone for Christmas. … I don’t want your mistletoe. … I’m the star by myself tree, I’ve by no means ever felt so free, Merry Christmas to me!”
‘Christmas within the Highlight’
Alas, the songs are extra on the extent of Lara Trump than Taylor Swift on this corny romance between Bowyn and Laith Wallschleger’s professional soccer star, one Drew “Gonzo” Gonville, and yep, that’s the identical Laith Wallschleger who turned a little bit of a viral sensation for his bonkers look as Rob Gronkowski in FX’s “American Sports activities Story.”
“Christmas within the Highlight” takes place outdoors the NFL’s sidelines, as Drew performs for a fictional staff generally known as the Bombers. Shortly after Bowyn and Drew have an ungainly, backstage meet-cute, Bowyn’s supervisor Mira (Jeannie Mai) informs Bowyn that Drew isn’t just a few random man, he’s “solely the most effective huge receiver on this planet. 9-time MVP, he holds the longest document for yards obtained.”
“I don’t communicate soccer,” replies Bowyn.
Based mostly on that description from Mira, neither does the screenwriter.
Including to the silliness: Bowyn’s ex, a film star named Hudson (David Pinard), is simply the worst, at one level saying to Bowyn about his new movie: “I’m sensible in it. Oscars are a-buzzin’.” Are they, Hudson? Are they buzzin’?
Nonetheless, even with Hudson buzzin’ round, making an attempt to win again Bowyn, and the tabloids speculating that the entire Bowyn and Drew is a manufactured publicity stunt, there’s an opportunity, simply an opportunity, that the pop star and the soccer participant could have the most effective Christmas ever, ever, ever, ever, out of the highlight. In spite of everything, we don’t wish to see teardrops on Bowyn’s guitar.
