Sarah Drew gives 100 percent in energy to this movie. The goofy games theme gives at least another 50. Her goofy and loyal friends another 50 after that. Together we have 200 percent in energy out of a total of 100.
The Christmas games theme has been a somewhat new but popular theme in the last couple years. This movie blows the doors off a lot of the holiday themed games I've seen prior to this.
Beyond the games, the story relies on some common themes. Mac and Chase might have had something in high school but rivalry and promising fame and fortune got in the way. Mac is dealing with the loss of her dad which motivates her in most of her endeavors especially these games but it also holds her back from her potential future. Chase's movie star career has seen better days and he is hoping for a big part. As is common, an overheard conversation creates a misunderstanding which leads to the conflict and a grand gesture is needed that makes use of some of the plot devices we've seen through the movie. Despite how derivative this story sounds in this synopsis, it is done extremely well.
And then there is Drew's energy. The chemistry between her and Justin Bruening exemplifies what chemistry in rom/coms aspires to.
I have been super impressed when I have seen Sarah Drew in the past but there are two comments to go with that. 1 However impressed I was in the past, she exceeds that here, a lot. 2 - Unfortunately I was disappointed in the make-up team in this movie. In at least a couple scenes, Drew looked less than stellar and not because that particular scene resulted in Mac being unkempt. I don't want to insult this remarkable woman any more than just to say, a good makeup team could have done better. Perhaps I missed the point and the director was trying to show the contrast in the superhero Mac was in action vs how normal was her appearance. If so, I still think there could have been some better touch up a couple of times. Whatever the case, the remarkable Sarah Drew gave us a totally remarkable Mac.
