Hallmark Channel needs better representation
When Christmas time comes around, nothing is better than watching a movie with a hot chocolate after a long day of Christmas shopping.
One well-known channel for Christmas movies is Hallmark; however most, if not all the movies, are the same. It starts with a woman who is hardworking and has no interest in or has given up on being in a romantic relationship. A man returns to his small town, and the two don’t have the best first impression and dislike each other.
Man and woman help each other out, start developing feelings for each other, something goes wrong, then things go right and by Christmas day, they kiss and live happily ever after.
While there’s nothing wrong with a movie that follows this trope, it appears Hallmark movies have the same plot with different actors who have different jobs in different places but we all know how the movie will go from start to finish.
Again, while it’s not bad, it does get bland compared to other classics like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Christmas Vacation” and “A Christmas Story.”
If Hallmark is going to continue with this trend of couples falling in love before Christmas Day, I would like to see more representation such as interracial couples or couples in the LGBTQ+ community.
Knowing how many Hallmark movies are out there, there may be some with this representation but it seems they are few and far between.
Outreach Coordinator | Distribution Manager
Hallmark – a guilty, predictable pleasure
‘Tis the season for snuggling up on the couch with a warm mug of your favorite drink, a soft blanket and a marathon lineup of feel-good movies from the Hallmark Channel.
They are a perfect panacea to take your mind off the holiday hustle and bustle and just breathe for a bit, knowing everything is going to work out by the end of the advertisement-punctuated, two-hour movie.
Are they the best productions with the most in-depth character development? Certainly not! But they are just what they are made to be – a couple of hours of light-hearted, mood-boosting, get-you-in-the-holiday-spirit moments.
Seeing the same actors and actresses playing varying roles, especially in nearly back-to-back movies, can sometimes leave your head reeling, but also give you an appreciation for their versatility.
I am impressed with the expanded representation that I have seen happen over the years, including more storylines with people of color in leading roles, as well as productions highlighting the holiday of Hannukah. There is, of course, always room for improvement with more inclusion.
Our days are typically filled with unpredictability and circumstances beyond our control. For me and a multitude of others who sometimes find the holidays a hard time to be filled with joy, the Hallmark Channel Holiday movies are a temporary reprieve and just what the doctor ordered.
Categories: Art & Life, Movie Reviews
