Starring Stacey Farber and Brendan Penny
***SPOILER ALERT***
Maddy (Farber), who works in the hotel industry, travels with her son, Wesley (Benjamin Jacobson), to Utah for Christmas with her parents. She meets Paul (Penny), a struggling ski shop owner. Wesley and Cody (Azriel Dalman), Paul’s son, become fast friends. The two boys are adopted, and Paul soon realizes that the woman who’s been calling to persuade him that their sons, who are biological brothers, should meet is Maddy. But Paul isn’t ready for that, especially since Cody doesn’t even know he’s adopted. Because of an agreement he and his late wife made, Paul delays telling his son. Despite this awkward situation, Paul and Maddy grow close. Simultaneously, pressure mounts for Paul to tell his son the truth.
PROS
I was keen to see this movie because it was directed by Kevin Fair, director of 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost, a 2023 Hallmark hit.
The leads. This film had a stellar cast, starting with Farber and Penny. I loved their meet-cute, in which Maddy knocked over Paul’s ski display upon entering his shop. Their chemistry was instantly clear and bubbled up throughout the movie. Penny believably conveyed Paul’s inner conflict: his fear of letting go of the agreement he and his wife had not to tell Cody he was adopted until he reached a certain age, versus being uncomfortable about lying to his son. Absorbed by this quandary and his failing business, he resisted getting involved with Maddy, saying everything was “too much and too fast.” I loved Farber as Maddy, an independent single woman who’d never relied on her father, also in the hotel business, to succeed. And unwilling to wait any longer for Prince Charming to arrive, she’d adopted a child. She too was conflicted, unsure whether to return to her job or accept her father’s job offer in Utah. Farber and Penny gave these characters depth and realism.
The kids. Jacobson and Dalman were endearing and had a natural rapport as Wesley and Cody—it was hard to tell if they were acting or really were best friends! Touchingly, both boys expressed Christmas wishes about family to Santa—Wesley wanted to meet his brother and move to Utah, and Cody wanted everyone (his dad, himself, Maddy, and Wesley) to be together. There was a cute scene in which the boys complained about their parents; what made it so funny was that it echoed an earlier conversation Matty and Paul had about their sons. Dalman, whose brother, Aias, starred in A World Record Christmas, was wonderful in the scene in which Paul stammered as he tried to tell Cody he was adopted. Cody calmly said that he already knew, as he had ears and had overheard conversations. I also loved watching the young actor’s face when Matty and Paul announced that Cody and Wesley were brothers. While Wesley reacted with joy, Cody initially gave nothing away; I held my breath while I waited to see what he’d say.
Paul and Jeremy’s friendship. The scenes between Penny and Edward Ruttle, who played Jeremy, his best friend who worked at the ski shop, were perhaps the most powerful in this film. They shared an intense bond, and the tension between them escalated. In an explosive argument, Jeremy insisted that telling Cody the truth was the only option. Jeremy urged Paul to not cling to the past and revealed that moving on was what his wife had wanted him to do. Jeremy also thought Paul and Maddy and their sons should all be together and bluntly said so. He was an important character, a catalyst pushing Paul toward what was meant to be, and Ruttle’s dynamic portrayal of Jeremy emphasized both the character’s honesty and affection for Paul. Paul’s sister, Taylor (Jessica Sipos) had a similar role in the story; when Paul considered taking a job in Colorado, she criticized him for running away from his problems.
CONS
A prolonged inner conflict. Paul’s inability to tell Cody he was adopted was extended beyond reason. Cody showed signs that he’d take the news well; he was well adjusted, easygoing, and mature. And he and Wesley were close, so why continue to deprive Cody of the knowledge that they were brothers? I got impatient with Paul’s resistance to being honest, especially because it was so plain it was the right thing to do—everyone around him knew it.
An abrupt ending. When the boys learned they were brothers, they were thrilled. I wanted to savor that happy moment a little longer, but the movie quickly cut to a final shot showing everyone having Christmas dinner.
My grade for A Season for Family: B+
Caroline Kaiser is a professional book editor who specializes in fiction and memoirs, and she’s been guiding writers toward publication since 2007. Caroline is also the author of two ghostly mystery novels, Virginia’s Ghost and The Spirits of South Drive. Before she embarked on an editing and writing career, she spent many years working in a Toronto auction house as an antiques appraiser. Apart from curling up on the couch and drinking tea as she watches Hallmark movies, Caroline enjoys baking and exploring London, Ontario, the picturesque city she now calls home. Her website is www.carolinekaisereditor.com.
