Project Christmas Wish definitely takes the cake as my favorite Hallmark movie of the weekend, and it’s a good thing too considering that it officially closed Hallmark’s 2020 Countdown to Christmas. Starring Amanda Schull and Travis Van Winkle, the movie follows Lucy (Schull) who works for a company that specializes in granting wishes for everyone in their community. As the Christmas season is in full gear, Lucy comes across a young girl named Max, played by Averie Peters, whose only wish is for her father, Lucas (Van Winkle), to be happy again so that Christmas “can be like it used to be,” before her mother passed away. Of course, by “being happy,” Max really means that she wants her father to fall in love again, and with Lucy’s help, that wish may just come true.
The character of Lucy was my absolute favorite. In terms of maturity, she takes the cake from most of the Hallmark Christmas characters this year. She’s completely open about what she wants and what she doesn’t and lets Lucas know that. Towards the end, she specifically tells him that she’s not going to wait around until he’s ready to be in a relationship with her, which is sadly something he needed to hear. If Lucas was anything in this movie, it was indecisive, which really bothers me — in movies and in real life. You’re an adult so act like it. You can’t kiss someone and then say you have to leave because you’re not sure about being in a relationship. You need to think of that stuff beforehand, you know? Nevertheless, Lucy took it in stride — because she's a mature adult — but I digress. My love of Lucy’s character not only stems from knowing her self-worth but also from her need to give back to her community. When she explains why she’s so passionate about Project Christmas Wish, I think everyone could really understand and admire why she does what she does. It’s why most of us volunteer, am I right?
Watching Lucy and Lucas start to fall in love is great, but this movie also had some side romances that I really enjoyed as well. One of them was Joan and Collin, Lucy's best friend and Joan's boyfriend (who's trying to find the perfect way to propose). The two of them are so adorable that I was left wanting more. In fact, I enjoyed this movie and the characters so much that I’m prepared to beg Hallmark to make a sequel. I have visions of Lucy, Lucas, Joan, and Collin being the best of friends, going on double dates, and participating in all the fun Christmas activities the town has to offer. Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I also got a kick out of Lucy’s relationship with Mike, the local radio host. Watching them banter back and forth over the radio was really fun and I can only say that I wish the movie showed us more of them together. Maybe in the sequel?
This may be weird to read, but my favorite part of this movie was not so much a particular scene as much as it was a moment. When Lucas and Lucy share a dance, Lucy catches her mother’s eye and smiles. It was such a sweet moment between mother and daughter that it made me a little choked up. I could see myself doing this with my mom and I loved it. Her mother was so happy that she found love again and you could tell Lucy was feeling the same way, so when they locked eyes and she smiled, it made for such a great moment, even if it was fleeting.
Project Christmas Wish checks off everything on my list for the perfect Christmas movie. With an inspiring message about what Christmas is really about and an adorable romance, you really can’t go wrong with this movie. All I can say is that this was the perfect movie to end the 2020 Countdown! Here’s to the next year!
What did you think of the film? Let me know in the comments below!
***I do not own this photo.
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