Christmas Time Capsule (2023) -
I would not have watched this all the way through if Franco Lo Presti as James hadn't been so God damn tall, dark and handsome, because his character seemed like an absolute lunkhead and really unpleasant from the off, without any sign of redemption, even half way through. I didn't want Tiffany, played by Emily Alatalo, to have to be stuck with him. She deserved so much better.
If he had been my best friend I would have told him what I really thought and I'm not talking about the four letter "L" word, but probably repeated use of the four letter "F" word instead.
She'd had a crush for so long that the poor thing couldn't see that he had grown up to be very unattractive on the inside.
He also didn't really represent the soldiers of the U. S. very well, with his minimal seeming IQ. I wouldn't want to be relying on him in my platoon, with his slow wits and generally clueless ways.
The leading pair returned to their hometown to obtain an engagement ring that Tiffany had, for some reason, placed in a time capsule and I was supposed to see him warming to her as they made stops along the way to enjoy various festive activities, but he just appeared to make mistakes, referring to Tiff instead of his girlfriend Ashley (Lindura), which wasn't actually a sign that he was falling for Tiffany or remembering old feelings for her, but more of his stupidity shining through.
If he hadn't been such a d!ck all the time I might have felt for them both. I could truly empathise with Tiffany, because I've been there so many times too, but I wanted her to realise that she could do better and meet someone new on their journey so that he could make Tiff happier and then James could marry Ashley, who was alright, if a bit pushy, but perhaps more suitable for him.
The parents Elise (Toni Ellwand) and Frank (Randy Thomas) were far too nutty as well. They didn't need to be so comedic, especially in those daft tracksuits. It felt like another failed attempt at making a comedy Christmas film instead of just making a Christmas drama with heart that features comedic moments, which for me will always work better, unless you can reproduce the magic and hilarity of 'Elf' (2003) or 'The Muppets Christmas Carol' (1992).
Overall the story could have worked, because the production was good, but James' mardy ass character let it down too much and made it slightly hard to buy.
Not one for the rewatch list.
4.56/10.
