Nov 30

Nov 30 'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Christmas in Rome'

Amid all the Hallmark movies set in small hometowns and holiday festivals, “Christmas in Rome” (premiering Nov. 30 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas) is a refreshing bit of cultural immersion that dares the audience not to fall in love with Italy.

In short: Angela (Lacey Chabert), an American tour guide in Rome, agrees to teach Oliver (Sam Page), a culture-shocked businessman, about the heart of Rome at Christmas.

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"Rome" is a refreshing departure from the traditional "Countdown" flick. And if there was any city as romantic as the story, it is Rome. While this is ostensibly the story of an American help a fellow American figure out how to navigate the whole "when in Rome" situation, this Italian delight gets the audience to fall in love with the city - while elegantly, gently letting Angela and Oliver find their own romance. "Rome" even manages to sneak in a smattering of Christmas traditions - because what's a Hallmark movie about holiday traditions (even foreign ones) without some gingerbread house construction or picking the perfect Christmas tree.

But "Rome" isn't merely some travel agency commercial for Roman tourism - this Hallmark movie stands on the merit of its story. The first few scene establishes just how much Angela loves her new city, preferring to show tourists the soul of the city and not merely the top photo op spots. And with her getting fired from her rigid tourism gig, Angela finds herself with an irresistible opportunity that could change the trajectory of her career. While Oliver starts out as a relatively broadly defined "all-business businessman," the movie takes its time in allowing Oliver grow, opting change his straightforward tactics and no frills (if impersonal) negotiations.

And it all comes together with a great third act that finds Angela and Oliver in positions that challenge the certainty of their careers and force them to confront the reality of a trans-Atlantic relationship. The whole movie follows their career aspirations - then puts their careers in direct conflict with their developing feelings for each other. "Rome" doesn't need to manufacture crazy big sweeping romantic gestures - it seeds small, intimate and wonderfully romantic moments that end up sweeping viewers of their feet.

Final verdict: "Rome" begins by getting the audience to fall in love with the ancient city, then succeeds in getting the audience to cheer for Angela and Oliver's romance.