Dumped before Christmas, famous Hollywood actress Olivia secretly returns to her hometown to eat cookies and avoid the press. Instead, she has to step up to take the starring role in her own life, realizing that home is where the heart is.
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Title: Spotlight on Christmas (TV Movie 2020)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tori Anderson | ... | Olivia O'Hara | |
| Victor Zinck Jr. | ... | Casey Rawlins | |
| Lia Frankland | ... | Janey Wilson | |
| Janet Kidder | ... | Jill Wilson | |
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Andrew McIlroy | ... | John Wilson |
| Matthew James Dowden | ... | Ryan Wrangler | |
| Patti Allan | ... | Mrs. MacMillan | |
| Michael St. John Smith | ... | Gordon Cooper | |
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Juliana Wimbles | ... | Stephanie Mitchell |
| Matthew Nelson-Mahood | ... | Jack Carson (as Matthew Nelson Mahood) | |
| Celina Martin | ... | Gabby | |
| Mamie Laverock | ... | Britney | |
| Nolan Hupp | ... | Chris | |
| Sam Robert Muik | ... | Jason Carson (as Samuel Muik) | |
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Yasmeen Kelders | ... | Little Girl |
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Storyline
Movie star Olivia O'Hara looks like she will have a bittersweet Christmas. The third movie in a successful superhero franchise in which she stars will be released on Christmas Day, but she wants to return to what she trained for, namely the classics and more taxing dramatic fare. But what she is most concerned about this Christmas season is avoiding reporters and the paparazzi who only seem interested in her public humiliation surrounding the breakup with her rock star now ex-fiancé, Ryan Wrangler, who broke up with her via text. She can admit in hindsight that their relationship was heading in the direction of a split in Ryan now seeming more concerned about his fame than about her. To avoid the publicity, for the first time since she became famous, Liv heads home to small town Happy Valley, Colorado unannounced to spend Christmas with her family. Not returning before now was as much about lack of time as it was about the painful memories of her long deceased father, Michael O'Hara, ... Written by Huggo
Plot Keywords:
christmas | public humiliation | christmas in title | holiday in title | christmas movie |Genres:
RomanceParents Guide:
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Written by Matthew James Dowden and Juliana Wimbles
Performed by Matthew James Dowden
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Screenwriter Juliana Wimbles appears in the featured role of Stephanie Mitchell, the reporter. See more »Goofs
When Janey goes through the list of things Olivia will need on her date, she mentions scarf & gloves and runs to get her Christmas present. Olivia goes on her date without the new scarf and gloves. See more »Soundtracks
It Ended on the PhoneWritten by Matthew James Dowden and Juliana Wimbles
Performed by Matthew James Dowden
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Details
Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 December 2020 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Spotlight on Christmas See more »Company Credits
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This started off strongly with the great casting of Tori Anderson as a believable A-list movie star. I also liked the actress that played her little half sister, though I was at first confused about the family dynamics. I found Victor Zinck just OK as the hometown love interest and was underwhelmed by the chemistry. I am apparently in the minority on this issue.
Unfortunately, It got slower and more boring as the movie went on. Interestingly I noted a small cameo by one of my favorite hallmark actresses at the beginning of the movie, Kimberly Sustad. Had she continued contribution in the role of the conflicted paparazzo, it might have added a needed spark to one of the dull subplots. Also noted that it was directed by another favorite, Ali Liebert. Good for her and better luck next time. I would like to see more of Tori Anderson in these Hallmark-type movies.