Lindsay Lohan makes a triumphant return to the screen in ‘Falling for Christmas’
November 29, 2022
We’ve seen the main character in any film or television show have a change of attitude after being diagnosed with amnesia countless times. It’s a plot that has seemingly become a crutch in Hollywood, however, throw in rom-com queen Lindsay Lohan, a handsome love interest and the holiday spirit and I’m sold.
Netflix released “Falling for Christmas” starring Lohan and Chord Overstreet on Nov. 10. The holiday romantic comedy follows spoiled hotel heiress Sierra Belmont (Lohan) as she experiences a life-changing bout with amnesia after a skiing accident with her hoity-toity and social media-obsessed fiancé Tad Fairchild (George Young).
Lohan forgets her identity after the accident and finds herself temporarily cared for by attractive widowed cabin owner, Jake Russell (Overstreet), and his daughter Avy (Olivia Monet Perez).
“Falling for Christmas” is everything a made-for-streaming holiday rom-com movie should be. It was an overwhelmingly positive Hallmark-esque film that is perfect for grabbing a comfy blanket, a cup of hot cocoa and getting into the holiday spirit. The film will make you smile ear to ear by the end of it, which is everything I can ask for from any holiday rom-com.
Though the film’s plot is nothing that hasn’t been done before and frankly, I had a bit of deja vu during my viewing of this film, Netflix comedies tend to fall into a bit of a formula. My expectations for something new and innovative were reasonably low, especially for a Netflix original film.
We’ve seen the uppity and clumsy heroine have a change of attitude during the holiday season as she meets another straight single character from a more humbled background before. Also, as aforementioned, we’ve also seen the amnesia plot far too many times.
Nothing about this film challenges the status quo. Nonetheless, the main draw is that Lohan, who is best known for her legendary filmography of the early 2000s, is making her comeback to acting with this film.
With reputable chick flicks like “Freaky Friday,” “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” and “Mean Girls,” Lohan was one of the most recognizable redheads in Hollywood over a decade ago. Lohan is also no stranger to acting out plots we’ve seen before, as exemplified through her arguably most iconic role in the 1998 remake of “The Parent Trap,” which kickstarted the young actress’ career.
Though Lohan has a history of familiarity with her films, her relaxed and confident approach to each of her roles appeals to many millennials and members of Generation Z, including myself.
Lohan’s newest role as the amnesia-stricken heiress in “Falling for Christmas” is not precisely her most relatable of characters, given there are few people who can say they never worked a day in their life but are still rewarded the “vice president of atmosphere” position, at a flagship resort in Aspen. However, by the end of the film, you can connect with Belmont and her growth from a pampered adult to an ordinary woman who can now make her own bed, showing the range in Lohan’s acting abilities.
Her chemistry with Overstreet, who is best known for his role as Sam Evans in the Fox series “Glee,” and Perez were particularly my favorite asset of the film. I loved seeing Belmont and Russell organically grow from strangers to lovers despite their differences in lifestyle and routine. I also enjoyed watching the heiress bond with Avy. It’s not every day a child who lost their mother is accepting of a new woman in their father’s life, so it was a breath of fresh air to see a different kind of relationship blossom in a seemingly formulaic holiday film.
Overall, the film is a good time and I couldn’t ask for a better movie to kickstart the holiday season.
Though “Falling for Christmas” is not particularly innovative in its plot, it’s still a fun and happy movie and acts as a great resurrection point to Lohan’s acting career. I cannot wait to see what’s next for the actress, because, I don’t know about you, but I loved hearing Lohan’s discernible voice on my television screen as a child of the early 2000s. Now, as a young adult, I’m more than ready for Lohan’s comeback tour in the early 2020s.