Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘One December Night’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘One December Night’.

​It is definitely safe to say that Hallmark Holiday movies, have something of a unique reputation. In that, they are formulaic in nature and revolve around a broken character of sorts. One that is so overwhelmed or lonely, that the only way they can heal or find direction or love, is to return home during the holidays and face their past and along the way, they manage to find what they were looking for all along. Plus, someone in the story is Santa Claus. But while some may lament the formula used here, make no mistake about it, it works, and it draws viewers in. For these movies are incredibly popular this time of year, and the demand for them is continuing to grow, as evidenced by how many are on the air right now.
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But what’s fascinating about these films, is that Hallmark is starting to realize that in order to keep their popularity going, these types of stories need to grow and offer more to their viewers. Plus, they need to include bigger names and it just so happens, that last night saw the premiere of an impressive Hallmark Holiday movie, that checks off every box on that list in One December Night. Which are feats that this movie accomplishes, by outright surprising us. Because early on, it seems as though we are going to be treated to the same old song. Since the story features a young woman named Quinn Sullivan who is reluctantly heading home to Pineville to complete quite the task for her boss. Wherein she must reunite her famous musician father, Mike, with his old singing partner Steve Bedford to bring a reunion show to life. An act that will be no easy task since Mike and Steve split up under ugly circumstances.

Of course, while she is there, she reunites with her old sweetheart, Jason Bedford, and therein is where it seems the formula is going to come into play. But that’s where this film outright surprises instead. Because rather than have everyone immediately embrace the wonder of the season for old times’ sake and find love and what they need under the wonder of multicolored lights, as one might expect, it turns out Mike and Steve are bitter old men. Who truly believe that life has sent too many curveballs their way and there is little they can do to reclaim joy or the magic they once shared on stage. Not to mention, there is serious tension between Mike and Quinn, since the death of Quinn’s mother… forced a rift to form between the two of them. Which is a storytelling decision that adds incredible depth and realism to this film, the kind this writer hasn’t seen all that often in these types of films, and the surprises storytelling wise, don’t end there.

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Because we need to talk about the shocker of a twist revolving around Steve Bedford. In that, he’s suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and part of his desire to reunite, is because this might be his last performance in show business before the disease sweeps his mind and his memories away. Which in turn adds even more depth to this story and makes it clear that the chief theme to this story, is that life is short and fleeting, and while it will indeed challenge us and throw some curveballs our way… we need to celebrate its wonder, and we do so, by not being bitter and by not holding grudges. Instead, we must cherish every single moment that comes our way, for they will never come again and that is quite the deep and beautiful message to be found in this story, one that is sold by an outright incredible cast.
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For Brett Dalton (Jason Bedford) and Eloise Mumford (Quinn Sullivan) sell the frustrations that children should and would have when family is feuding with a raw honesty that the audience can relate to. Plus, Peter Gallagher (Mike Sullivan) does a phenomenal job of reminding us of how easy it is become a bitter individual when we let life’s surprises eat at us. But truly, the man that steals the show is Bruce Campbell, who plays Steve Bedford. Simply because his performance here is nothing short of electric and there are several key scenes, specifically where Steve opens up about his diagnosis, where Campbell will bring you to tears with the fear and honesty, he helps Steve exude, and if this is the beginning of a dramatic run for Bruce, then look out world because he is about to wow us all. 

In the end however, this really is quite the impressive Hallmark Holiday film. Because this one really does manage to shake off the tropes of Hallmark movie past and offer up something real and raw and uplifting and fun. Plus, it is complete with dynamic characters and philosophical notions and well, if you get a chance, see this one as soon as you can. Simply because this movie will draw you in with its fine acting and solid plot and one can definitely argue that One December Night might be viewed in years to come as the turning point for Hallmark Holiday movies. Since this one makes it clear that they can offer so much more to the audience and hopefully they continue to do so in years to come.

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