It is a truth universally acknowledged that Reba McEntire can do no wrong. Period. Right alongside Dolly Parton, we love, and we trust, and we stand by everything she does. And for that reason, Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune is a perfect musical bop.
Starring the noteworthy Reba McEntire, John Schneider, Candice King, Justin David, and more, dynamic (now separated) husband and wife duo Georgia (McEntire) and Joe (Schneider) are forced to reunite for a benefit concert when their daughter Belle (King) needs a performing act. The entirety of the film is just pure, unabashed warmth, good ol’ familial coziness, heart, and one of the loveliest tropes, a second chance at love for both couples.
In short, Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune feels like the kind of Christmas concert you wish you could attend. Correction, it basically is a Christmas concert. It’s flashy in all the right ways, the décor is stunning, and there’s no song that doesn’t sound better because of Reba McEntire’s singing it.
The heart, the humor, and more importantly, the vulnerability in this film is right up my alley with the kind of moments that effortlessly tug on heartstrings through and through.
When Georgia and Joe take the stage and start rehearsing together, sparks naturally fly again. The fact that they could never sign the divorce papers after their separation should tell us enough about the fact that neither wanted it to end in the first place. The music speaks for them, the tunes, appropriately titled, do all the talking necessary, and the chemistry could light up even a night with no electricity.
There are plenty of lovely moments throughout the film, but there is one in particular where their daughter finds them singing the song they wrote about her, and when I tell you I ugly cried, it’s best to believe me. This is the kind of cheesy, feel-good moment that makes a film like this feel worthwhile. Again, I would’ve loved this no matter what because of Reba, but a moment like this makes the film that much more vulnerable. It’s allowing the music to tell an even bigger story about reconnection and the ways in which we all react so differently to words and melody combined.
Reba McEntire’s A Christmas in Tune makes sure the audience feels every ounce of the history and the palpable tension for both couples. It makes sure to show us the longing as opposed to telling us about it, and it makes sure we understand that though there’s sadness here, there’s also hearty, unabashed unyielding love.
The adoration between parents and their daughter was so palpable, it might just be my favorite thing about the film. And the second chances both couples get to reach out to finally give love the risk it deserves was perfect for the holiday spirit. An A+ cast, an engaging plot, and the kind of Christmas music we could listen to for hours? Sign us up. This one’s a pure joy ride in every way.
Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune is now streaming on the Lifetime channel or the Frndly TV app.
Similar Christmas Film Recommendation: A Christmas Together With You starring Laura Vandervoort