Review

Movie Review: Christmas on Cherry Lane
Subtitle: "When Christmas, Small-Town Drama, and Way Too Many Cookies Collide in the Most Hilariously Predictable Way."

“Christmas on Cherry Lane” is Hallmark’s latest yuletide treat that brings us all the charm, chaos, and romance of a small-town Christmas—because what’s the holiday season without too much holiday spirit and way too many romantic misunderstandings? If you’ve ever wondered, "What if a small-town Christmas was filled with way too many Christmas cookies, a grumpy man trying to avoid the holidays, and way too much town involvement in everyone’s love life?"—then this movie is your Christmas wish granted, with a little extra mistletoe on the side.

The plot follows Emma (played by Megan Park, because she’s the perfect woman for Hallmark’s "I’m-just-trying-to-make-it-through-Christmas" heroine role), a woman who’s just trying to survive the holidays. After a slightly chaotic year, she’s come back to her small hometown of Cherry Lane to take a break from the stress of life and love. But of course, small-town life is way too involved to let anyone have a quiet holiday—especially when Christmas is so involved. Her plan for a calm holiday is quickly derailed when she’s roped into helping with the town’s over-the-top holiday celebrations (because apparently, Cherry Lane is the epicenter of all Christmas events). Emma’s doing everything she can to keep it together, but the whole town is way too invested in making sure she has the most festive, romantic, cookie-filled holiday ever.

Enter Ethan (played by Jesse Hutch, who’s always perfect in these Hallmark roles), the grumpy local man who’s way too into avoiding Christmas and family drama. He just wants to stay home, eat his Christmas dinner in peace, and ignore the entire holiday. Of course, in true Hallmark fashion, he gets roped into the holiday madness when Emma—who’s way too cheerful and holiday-obsessed—asks for his help with the most ridiculous Christmas decorations ever. Naturally, they’re definitely not going to fall in love—except, of course, they do, because this is Hallmark, and no one can survive Christmas in a small town without a little romance.

The humor in this movie comes from the sheer ridiculousness of the entire situation. The town of Cherry Lane is so obsessed with Christmas cheer that they manage to turn every simple task into way too much holiday chaos. Emma’s task of getting through the season becomes a full-blown Christmas adventure, complete with way too many cookie-baking disasters, tree-decorating mishaps, and, of course, family members who insist on giving way too much unsolicited relationship advice (because who wouldn’t want to hear “You should really start dating this guy” while in the middle of trying to bake a gingerbread house?).

And let’s not forget the romance. Oh, the romance. Ethan and Emma’s classic “we’re definitely not into each other” routine is so obvious that even Santa’s reindeer could see it coming from a mile away. Every time they share an awkward moment, whether it’s getting covered in flour from a cookie-baking disaster or bumping into each other under a too-perfect Christmas tree, it’s so cute and predictable that you can’t help but swoon. You know they’re going to end up together, and yet, you can’t stop watching it happen. Every time they share a heated conversation about holiday traditions or their past, you’ll be grinning—because, obviously, they’re totally meant to be together.

The grand finale? Predictably heartwarming, as always. After way too many Christmas events, holiday disasters, and too many cookies to count, Ethan and Emma realize that love and Christmas cheer are all they really need—and that maybe, just maybe, they can share the most magical Christmas kiss ever. Of course, it’s under the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree, with the entire town cheering them on (because small towns are way too involved in everyone’s love life). Cue the snow, the perfect holiday confession, and the "I definitely wasn’t expecting to fall in love with you, but I’m so glad I did" moment.

“Christmas on Cherry Lane” is a charming, hilarious, and totally predictable holiday movie that will make you laugh, cry, and probably eat way too many cookies along the way. If you enjoy holiday chaos, romantic misunderstandings, and a movie that proves that Christmas miracles and small towns are the best recipe for a perfect holiday romance, then grab your coziest blanket, a plate of cookies, and get ready for a movie that will fill your heart with the perfect amount of Christmas cheer. 🎄🍪💋