Caleb (Eric Guilmette) is injured while serving in the army and during his recovery he’s helped by shelter therapy dogs. When he returns home, Caleb meets Amber (Ash Tsai) who runs the local shelter. Wanting to thank her for the work she does, Caleb offers to help run the shelter giving Amber some much-needed help. As the two work side-by-side and get to know one another, sparks fly and love could be on the horizon.
If you were going to check off all the things you want in a Christmas movie, ‘Tails of Christmas’ would likely more than meet your requirements. With cute dogs, a storyline involving the importance of service men (and women), and a romance with a festive backdrop, it’s hard not to fall in love with this film. Directed by Brian Brough with a screenplay by Brittany Wiscombe, ‘Tails of Christmas’ aims squarely for the Great American Family audience and it lands impressively well.
US viewers love a story involving the heroes that fight for the country’s continued freedom every day and in Caleb, they have a character who they’re going to adore. Caleb’s arrival at the shelter causes immediate sparks and the two central characters spend much of the film dancing around one another. Amber’s friends can see the obvious but it takes her a little longer to realise she’s falling for Caleb. Caleb on the other hand, is clearly interested in Amber but he’s worried that he may be competing in vain for her affections.
There are some nice touches in the story about the affect dogs have on people and the way they bring people together. Caleb rediscovers his purpose during the course of the film, after having to change his life as he recovers from injury. Amber’s adoption drive takes his mind off what’s happened to him, and with her help (and the dogs, of course), Caleb comes back to life and finds new meaning.
‘Tails of Christmas’ is elevated by the performances of Ash Tsai and Eric Guilmette. As Amber and Caleb, their chemistry is off the charts and they’re the most believable couple we’d had so far in this year’s slate of films. Tsai is wide eyed and innocent, with a sweetness that makes her incredibly likeable, while Guilmette is strikingly handsome and suitably earnest. Together the pair are dynamite, and once you add the dogs into the mix, this film is all kinds of irresistible.
‘Tails of Christmas’ may veer on the cheesier side of Christmas movies but it has a huge heart. We’re only four movies into Great American Christmas 2024 so far but the bar has been set high. The network is delivering quality family content that is entertaining, engaging and suitable to watch with the kids. ‘Tails of Christmas’ is wholesome fun with a central couple you can’t help but love, and that’s what makes it such a fun watch.
Cast: Ash Tsai, Eric Guilmette, Jill Adler Director: Brian Brough Writer: Brittany Wiscombe Certificate: Unrated Durations: 83 mins Released by: Great American Family Release date: 2nd November 2024
Find out more about ‘Tails of Christmas’ at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/a-shelter-and-seasons-greetings/
