This isn't the typical Christmas movie for me. I love a good "Cheesy" movie, as people call them.
This breaks down age barriers, to appeal to the pre-teen as well as teen audience, while catering to parents with a pinch for the parents parents.
It moved this jaded old wolf. Which isn't always easy!
Most "Feel good" romantic Christmas movies, are admittedly, often the same story, just in a different small town. A Dr, instead of a baker.
A big city character comes to a small town etc.
I don't mind that too much. They are, by their nature, a little predictable. Predictable isn't always bad. You know what to expect, to nice cozy viewing, following two main characters really.
I thought this one was very clever and really mixed it up. A teenage girl, her Dad, and a adult pop star. Even a grandma!
The difference here, is, the main focus, that shifts between the daughter, the Dad and the star. Christmas and a quinceañera, (a latino girls 15th birthday celebration and rite of passage, that symbolises a girl's entrance into womanhood. It's cultural root in Mexico, becoming more popular now in other area's. Just a note to anyone who hasn't heard of it. Like me, until last year!)
Also a perfect mix of Spanish and American. (is Spanish correct? or Mexican? or Latin? or Latin American? or Latino? I am not trying to be offensive, although I understand why you may think I am. I am honestly just ignorant. There is no-one I know that I can check with. So I would be delighted to be educated. If anyone can let me know, I promise I will correct it immediately)
I am, sadly an English speaker. I was born in the UK, where, sadly, they are very lazy and arrogant, seem to expect everyone else to speak in English when they are near by. Even in a foreign country, they just expect everyone to speak English. So, a film in English, with someone frequently talking in another language, without subtitles, I don't have a clue what they are saying.
But the little bits of Spanish they use, well, the way it is said, the way they express it, is universal, Thanks to some really Stella acting.
I have to say the three main women in this movie were explosive. They didn't read the lines, they acted them with the tone voice, body language and facial expressions that really dragged me in the movie. I almost felt part of it.
The music wasn't, by any means, my kind of music. But there were two or 3 beautiful songs.
So, no Santa. No elves. No Dr's or bakers.
But it breaks all the rules, crosses all boarders, breaks out of the mould.
An original Christmas/Navidad/quinceañera, pre teen/ teen/ adult romance.

9/10 full moons, from Midnitewolf