Mayor Brian Ortega (Mario Lopez) passionately advocates for the community of Long Grove and while decorating for Christmas with the town’s residents, he finds his childhood Christmas list. Around the same time Brian’s childhood friend Nina Meyers (Courtney Lopez) returns to fight against the destruction of her family’s inn. Brian reconnects with Nina and agrees to help her, while realising that the wishes on his childhood list are coming true one-by-one.
‘Once Upon a Christmas Wish’ is the first festive film for Great American Family with popular US star Mario Lopez (best-known for the classic 90s show ‘Saved By The Bell’). In the film Lopez teams up with his real-life wife Courtney and their son Dominic for a sweet film based around traditional values. The festive movie trope of old friends reunited is front and centre here, as is the struggle of Mario Lopez’s Mayor to do the right thing by his community.
What I didn’t expect from this movie is that it has a musical edge. Courtney gets a few opportunities to showcase her singing ability while Mario breaks out into dance on more than once occasion. The couple prove that they are multi-faceted artists and the injection of music definitely lifts the overall film. Beyond that the film sticks to a well-worn formula as Nina campaigns to save her family’s inn from the hands of a real estate developer, and over the course of the film Brian gets a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. There’s nothing ground-breaking here but the storyline is entertainingly familiar.
The Lopez’s are, of course, suitably engaging as the two central characters. Both of them are established actors so it should come as no surprise to find out that they give solid performances here. You believe them as former childhood friends who find romance later in life. A nice bonus is that their son Dominic manages to steal a few scenes as a tenacious school kid who is trying to interview the Mayor. Don’t be surprised if we see more of him in the future.
‘Once Upon a Christmas Wish’ is a perfectly enjoyable movie but it could have done with a little bit more story. The Lopez’s have chemistry, which is a no-brainer given they’ve been married for years, and their onscreen relationship is just about enough to keep you hooked. There are a lot of ideas thrown into the film but it could have done with a little more finessing before it came to filming. Take it for what it is, and you’ll likely enjoy it!
Cast: Mario Lopez, Courtney Lopez, Corey Landis, Efrain Figueroa, Tim Metzler, Dominic Lopez, Josette DiCarlo Director: Brian Herzlinger Writers: Brian Herzlinger, Megan Henry Herzlinger Certificate: Unrated Duration: 88 mins Released by: Great American Media Release date: 7th December 2024
‘Once Upon a Christmas Wish' premieres on Saturday 7th December 2024 on Great American Family as part of Great American Christmas 2024. Find out more about the film at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/my-grown-up-christmas-wish/
