Hallmark’s The 5-Year Christmas Party is a gorgeous love letter to a grueling industry and the friendships that stand the test of time and uncertainties. If I weren’t already a fan of Jordan Fisher’s inimitable charm and talent, I’d make an effort to watch (and listen) to his filmography and discography after all this. (If you do this, you’re in for a treat! Plus, go see Hadestown on Broadway.) Additionally, this is my first introduction to Katie Findlay, who’s an absolute star throughout the film—let’s put them in as many Hallmark films as the amount of times Ashley Williams is name-dropped.
A note to make here is that thus far, we’re getting far more films that focus on career-driven characters, which makes me feel like Hallmark executives saw all the memes about big-city women moving to small towns and decided to rectify that. Let’s start by saying that both types of movies are great and valid in romance. Still, there’s something incredibly raw and relatable about how Max and Alice’s story pans out during the five years when they start as acquaintances, grow into friends, and realize that their love for one another is bigger than anything they ever thought possible.
Hollywood or the world of theater are challenging industries to make it in, so it says a lot that Hallmark’s The 5-Year Christmas Party takes us through every hurdle, heartache, and accomplishment. Where we meet these characters and where we leave them showcase such heartwarming growth that it makes the film feel indescribably magical. The budding relationship is so tender, funny, and transparent at times that romance readers especially will find themselves kicking and screaming on multiple occasions.
There’s so much character development in the film that emphasizes the importance of finding ourselves before love and careers become more cemented. It allows the relationship to feel even more fortified because all the longing throughout the five years makes way for moments that are so achingly tender I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Writer Zac Hug and director Peter Benson bring something truly special to our screens by balancing a number of significant themes through nuanced storytelling that’s entirely character-driven.
Further, there’s a moment in the movie where Alice voices how she made Santa cry with her wish when she was about five years old, which made me choke up to the point where I had to pause watching to process. Without spoiling what it is, it’s worth noting that the kids who grew up to work in this industry will find themselves relating in a way that feels extra poignant.
Hallmark’s The 5-Year Christmas Party stands as a profound love letter to the friendships we make at the start of our careers and how they become integral to our growth and success. Leslie Knope once said that “no one achieves anything on their own,” and the film brilliantly reminds its audience of why communities are so essential. Human beings need other people who’ll celebrate their wins and hold their hands through the losses. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all part of our collective journey to becoming better versions of ourselves, and it’s impressive how the film highlights this while still orbiting around romance.
We need more stories that aren’t ashamed of admitting that it’s no fun to have our dreams come true without someone to share them with. When people want love in their lives, they can choose to chase it as passionately as they chase their careers. Both characters want love, and perhaps, more importantly, they want each other. Distance is tricky and confusing at times, and despite the short time frame, the film addresses all of these things in a way that’s so human it makes the adoration between Alice and Max even more transcendent.
Hallmark’s The 5-Year Christmas Party is, without question, one of the best holiday films of the year. It’s one that will be on a yearly rotation for me, personally, but it’s also one that I imagine will feel like a warm blanket for many others. It’s for the pop culture nerds and the smartest (best) people in the world—the ones who know that The Muppet Christmas Carol is top-tier and can never be knocked down. It’s an homage to New York, theatre, the hard work so many people put into making their dreams a reality, and the friends-to-lovers trope.
Watch The 5-Year Christmas Party on the Hallmark Channel this Christmas.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Hallmark