Dedicated historian and preservationist Tessa (Merritt Patterson) is caught off-guard when property developer Noah (Christopher Russell) arrives in Oak Creek to tear down the abandoned Post Office. With plans to turn it into a modern office complex, Noah is surprised when he meets resistance from the people of the town and Tessa decides to do everything in her power to stop his plans. When it’s suggested that Tessa and Noah work together to decide the best way forward, the two clash but soon realise their opposing opinions may not be the only source of friction.
‘A Vintage Christmas’ continues Great American Family’s Great American Christmas slate of 2024 original movies. The film mines the well-trodden opposites attract trope to charming effect, forcing Tessa and Noah to work together, when they’d rather do anything than be anywhere near one another. Tessa is passionate about preserving he history of Oak Creek thanks to a familial connection to the Post Office and she’s determined to make Noah see that tearing down history has a negative impact on a small community.
As the two work together, they discover a bunch of old letters to Santa that were never delivered, and they decide to work together to deliver them. This project gives Tessa hope that Noah may begin to understand her love for her town, and the people who live there, while Noah starts to wonder if his development plans might not be as good an idea as he thought. When the anger between the pair starts to slip away, sparks fly as they start to fall for one another even though neither wants to admit it.
Merritt Patterson and Christopher Russell will be familiar faces to Great American Family viewers. Both are reliable actors that manage to elevate anything they’re in. Patterson is suitably sweet and plucky as Tessa while Russell is handsomely suave as developer Noah. Together they have an easy chemistry that makes their road to romance one you can believe. Fans of Australian soap ‘Neighbours’ should also keep their eye out for Todd MacDonald who played the original Darren Stark, as he has a small role here as Mayor Mitchell.
‘A Vintage Christmas’ is a familiar story but it’s one that reinforces traditional values and the importance of looking after your community. In the modern world there’s often little regard for history and one day we’re going to look back and wonder how we allowed our societies to change in the way they have. With its heart in the right place, and an important message at its core, ‘A Vintage Christmas’ is a worthwhile watch that will surely keep you entertained. It's all perfect for the whole family!
Cast: Merritt Patterson, Christopher Russell, Kate Jenkinson, Todd MacDonald Director: Colin Budds Writer: Jennifer Snow Certificate: Unrated Duration: 87 mins Released by: Great American Family Release date: 19th October 2024
‘A Vintage Christmas’ airs on Saturday 19th October 2024 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT on Great American Family. Find out more at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/a-vintage-christmas/
