We’re heading back to Netflix to check out Christmas With You starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Aimee Garcia. Who can resist Freddie Prinze Jr? And I have loved Aimee Garcia since I first saw her on Lucifer. I will be disappointed if this is bad.
Angelina (Aimee Garcia) is a pop star who is being pushed out of the spotlight by a new up and coming singer, Cheri (Nicolette Stephanie Templier). Told by her record label that she has to come out with a new Christmas song in order to stay relevant, Angelina flees New York to the home of a fan, Cristina (Deja Monique Cruz), she saw on social media. She finds out that Cristina’s father, Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr), is a music teacher who used to be in a band. Together, Angelina and Miguel write a new Christmas song, which is sure to top the charts.
Every year, we get a slew of Christmas movies dedicated to one profession. One year (I think maybe 2019?), everyone seemed to be bakers. Another year, we had a bunch of realtors leading our Christmas movies. This year, it seems to be singers. Particularly, aging women singers. Women who are being told that they are too old to be popular any more. While I love having movies about music, I hate having movies where women are being told they have to be “young and beautiful” to be worth something. It’s gross.
If we can look past the “you’re too old” trope, there are some good things in Christmas With You. As I’ve said, Prinze Jr and Garcia are a delight. Newcomer Cruz is adorable as 15 year old Cristina. I love how excited she gets for everything and watching her dance at her quinceañera is everything. I think I would watch a whole movie about Cristina and her aunts getting ready for the party. Oh, and Zenzi Williams as Angelina’s personal assistant, Monique? Chef’s kiss. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone been more tired of all the BS going on around her. Between Angelina’s whining and the record label’s antics, we’re lucky Monique didn’t slap someone silly.
In truth, I would say to watch it but carefully. Besides the aging stuff, there are some “I need to lose weight” things that happen here. Granted, we do end up seeing Angelina eat some real food but the first half-ish of the movie does contain weight comments. I would love to see a movie about a star that doesn’t have to do with her age or weight but, c’mon, that will never happen. This may be the best that we get.