Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel goes global with its latest ‘Countdown to Christmas’ movie, An Alpine Holiday, and it gives us a really interesting spin on the holiday romance story as the movie’s biggest star is not actually the center of attention.
In An Alpine Holiday, a grandmother’s last wish brings two estranged sisters, Faith (Ashley Williams) and Kelly (Lacy J. Mailey), back together to travel to the French Alps for Christmas to recreate her first trip there with their grandfather. Facing all the challenges and wonder this unique holiday adventure brings, they learn to cherish their sisterhood above all, while also making room for romance to blossom between Kelly and their French mountaineer guide, Frederic (Julien Marlon Samani).
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It’s funny, but when seeing the previews for An Alpine Holiday it always seemed like Ashley Williams was more of a third wheel in the story, and it turns out she kind of is. That’s an interesting spin for one of Hallmark’s biggest stars, but the script by Blaine Chiappetta, manages to keep her out of the main romantic storyline while giving her plenty of action and a below-the-surface romantic subplot of her own. The main thrust of the story is the divide between sisters Faith and Kelly. Faith throws caution to the wind and flits about the world without a care, while Kelly is more rigid, everything is organized and she rarely sees her sister, perhaps even holding a bit of a grudge because Faith took off after grandfather Albert passed away, leaving Kelly to care for their grandmother Rebecca, who took her husband’s passing very hard … not something Faith was aware of since she was never there. To her, Rebecca was always the free spirit she grew up with (their grandparents raised them), so her absence is still a point of contention with Kelly. Perhaps Rebecca knew this because it is her final wish for them to follow the path she and Albert took while in France, leading up to the spot on top of Mount Blanc where Albert proposed on Christmas Eve. Faith is all in, but Kelly can’t just upend her life in less than 24 hours to go traipsing around the world on the whim of her grandmother. Faith is disappointed that she will have to go alone, but something finally speaks to Kelly and she jumps in the cab in the nick of time to head to the airport. The story realistically portrays a sibling relationship, especially one that comes with some baggage, but even when there are moments of anger and hurt, there is still a love that bonds Faith and Kelly. The surprise here is that Faith is not the one who becomes romantically involved with their pre-assigned tour guide, Frédéric, because she is actually hiding a secret from her sister. We know early on that someone, presumably Faith’s boyfriend, has asked her a question to which she is unable to answer so the trip to France actually gives her a chance to run away from the issue. It’s not until later that she reveals she ran when boyfriend Ben proposed to her. With that question pressing on Faith, that gives Kelly the chance to find a connection with Frédéric … but that also poses a problem for her since he lives in France and she lives in New York City. The last thing she wants is a long-distance relationship, and Faith’s constant nudging of her to take a chance causes more friction between them, leading to Faith making a really terrible decision to climb to the top of the mountain alone … just as a snowstorm is ending, finding herself lost with no guide, her footsteps covered by the blowing snow, unable to find her way back to the shelter. There may be a bit of a problematic element to the story with the introduction of Frédéric, where he uses the ‘I’m French, so it’s expected’ excuse for how he immediately hits on Kelly in the coffee shop, not knowing who she is until she gives him a few choice words, and then not wanting him to be their guide. But Faith has to assure her that their lawyer knows him so he’s got to be okay and they have nothing to worry about.
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One entertaining element of the story are the notes Rebecca has left her granddaughters at each leg of their journey, having carefully planned out the whole adventure for them to the minute (that’s also why Faith traipses up the mountain alone, to not miss the moment on Christmas Eve that her grandfather proposed). Frédéric knows what the journey holds for them, but has to keep everything close to the vest, with one of the major surprises coming when he takes them to a woman who serves them fondue, just like she did for Albert and Rebecca. Turns out the woman is Frédéric’s grandmother … and was the guide for Albert and Rebecca. It was a very sweet moment as she talked kindly about her time with them. As the story progresses, the sisters manage to grow and realize that their bond is more important than anything else, but they both realize they each need to take a leap of faith and follow their hearts as well. Director Lucie Guest does a nice job of guiding the actors through the story, and makes great use of the stunning locations in and around Ville de Chamonix. The scenery there is simply breathtaking.
Williams, as always, does a nice job with Faith. She totally makes us feel her free-spirited approach to life, her love for her family, her hurt when Kelly may say something intentionally hurtful. But she really shows that Faith has an unabashed love for life and she just wants her sister to live — and love — a little. Laci J. Mailey also does a great job as the more uptight Kelly, a person who needs structure and organization in her life. She does not let Frédéric get into her heart easily, and she has to look at things rationally. But she also manages to show that Kelly can let down her hair on occasion, so she isn’t a total ice queen. Both she and Williams portray the siblings with authenticity so we can believe in their relationship.
Julien Samani manages to not make Frédéric a total creep after that first introduction. He can be charming and he seems to enjoy guiding the women on their journey, enjoying the surprises they encounter along the way. He’s also extremely easy on the eyes, and at some point he and Jonathan Bennett need to team up to play brothers somehow separated by an ocean. The rest of the supporting cast make their characters feel real, particularly Véronique Frumy as Frédéric’s grandmother, totally invested in Faith and Kelly’s journey. Faith also has a nice moment with Amélie, Frédéric’s ex-girlfriend but still friend, played by Gergana Todorova, who shows she still has affection for Frédéric but not romance.
With a fun story, a wonderful cast, and some gorgeous scenery, An Alpine Holiday is a fun watch … and it may even inspire you to throw caution to the wind and go on your own journey to the French Alps.
An Alpine Holiday has a run time of 1 hour 24 minutes, is rated TV-G, and is streaming on Hallmark+.
Preview – An Alpine Holiday
Hallmark Channel