My favorite part about Hallmark’s Coyote Creek Christmas is the moment where a kid calls his father a “complete and utter buffoon” for driving away from the kind of good life they could have had. No, but seriously, superb word choice.
Coyote Creek Christmas stars Janel Parrish, Ryan Paevey, Cameron Bancroft, Azriel Dalman, Linda Minard, Naomi King, Marc-Anthony Massiah, Nimet Kanji, and more as the town of Coyote Creek prepares for one final party at the beloved town’s Inn. Or so that’s what they think.
For a film that features intriguing characters, the plot is a bit clunky in execution. It follows the known holiday movie cliché of a businessman who comes to sell a town’s historic Inn only to fall in love with the owner and place instead. While Paige’s (Parrish) parents are lively and precious, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the fact that they just didn’t run this by their daughter in the first place. They were fully aware of how much she loved the Inn, so telling her and everyone else that they were selling it for the kind of firm that’d likely tear it down would’ve been the better thing to do.
But alas, I was able to suspend belief and put all my frustrations aside because Parrish and Paevey’s chemistry was so lovely, watching Paige and Dylan inevitably fall for each other won me over. And while Coyote Creek Christmas isn’t the first Hallmark film to feature an LGBTQ couple, Quinn (King) and Mia’s (Adriana Ravalli) budding relationship was preciously awkward and a sweet surprise.
Coyote Creek Christmas features a sprinkle of the grump and sunshine trope, which is entirely why I loved it. (And notice I said a sprinkle, Dylan is more of a brooding buffoon than anything else.) Dylan doesn’t do a traditional Christmas, but it’s not necessarily because he hates it, but because he wants to make sure each holiday is an adventure his son Noah (Dalman) won’t forget. But obviously, Noah’s time at Coyote Creek proves to be the best Christmas yet as the traditions grow on the kid, and Paige’s kindness fills the void.
I tend to have mixed feelings about kids involved in the story, but sometimes, considering they’re primarily responsible for the adults getting their act together, it works. And Noah is not only precious, but seriously, I might never get over him calling his dad a buffoon.
Finally, as a film where its plot focuses intensely on a specific place—the Coyote Creek Inn is perfect. It’s just the kind of welcoming, cozy Inn I’d also fight to keep around, and I appreciated Paige telling her parents she wants to think about it as opposed to jumping at the opportunity to leave her job first. The story charms most effortlessly in the moments where its arcs are actually realistic. Paige’s frustration with Dylan was understandable, but as was her energy in putting on the best party the town had seen thus far.
Paige Parker was one of the more engaging heroines to date. You want her to succeed in all her endeavors because she is just the kind of sunshine heroine who’s easily likable. Her friendship with Quinn is lovely, her relationship with her parents and the town is endearing, and her wardrobe is top-notch. The red coat and buffalo plaid scarf with a white cable-knit sweater? Drop the stores you purchased those at, queen.
Similar Christmas Film Recommendation: Christmas at The Golden Dragon
Coyote Creek Christmas was a solid good time, but oddly, short—I wanted just a little bit more with both love stories before we left them behind. The film is now streaming on Hallmark.
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