Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nov 27, 2022
Table of Contents
Photo: ‘Falling for Christmas’
Millennials are excited to see Lindsay Lohan make a comeback to on-screen acting. Having had a hiatus for years and taking part in only some voice-acting projects, the ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Freaky Friday’ icon returns to acting on camera with this new Netflix original film titled ‘Falling for Christmas’ about a spoiled heiress suffering a skiing accident that results in total amnesia. The familiar premise helps with the comfortability of the film, as it is a film anyone could turn on, lie on the couch, and watch casually. It is an easily watched film of the wholesome Christmas romance genre that Netflix makes plenty of every year.
This heartfelt holiday film counts on a lot of comedic moments to drive the lightheartedness throughout. The comedy is very PG, as expected with a Christmas family flick. The stakes are never terribly high, so it makes it a mellow watch for those that want to just watch something chill. ‘Falling for Christmas’ is overall a film that nobody needs to try too hard to watch. It’s a cozy film that has all the elements needed for a Christmas rom-com, but it isn’t much different from ones that have already been made besides the inclusion of Lohan. It’s not unentertaining enough for someone to use just as background noise, but it would be something nice to put on that the kids could watch while the family gathers around, plays some board games, or any other festive activities.
Lindsay Lohan’s Performance Brings Nostalgic Fun to the Film
Lohan enters familiar territory by joining this romantic comedy film with her past works. Her inclusion in the cast brings a sense of nostalgia, which works in harmony with the coziness of a Christmas film that is set in a bed-and-breakfast ski lodge. Her character aligns with her past roles as well, having to play the spoiled and naive heiress of a hotel business, the role seems to have been well prepared and written for her on-screen return. On top of that, it just seems like Lohan was having a lot of fun playing the part of an airhead with amnesia falling in love in a wooden ski resort. With the fireplace/hot cocoa ambiance of this romance film, her apparent happiness throughout the film adds to what makes it a feel-good watch.
Joining Lohan on-screen is Chord Overstreet, known for his work on ‘Glee’ as Sam Evans, and George Young, who was seen on ‘Malignant’ and the limited series ‘Containment.’ Both playing as Lohan’s character’s love interests, George Young plays Tad, the wealthy influencer that proposes to Sierra (Lohan’s character) moments before her amnesia-inducing concussion. Overstreet plays Jake Russell, the humble and kindhearted owner of the bed and breakfast ski lodge that found Sierra and took her in during her recovery. The triangle dynamic is played off in a humorous way and it is refreshing to see there’s no hostility in the film toward the rivaling romances. It’s great writing to show Jake keeps a touch of reality in mind as he falls for Sierra during her stay at his lodge. It helps develop his character into the good guy with pure intentions that the audience will have a hard time wishing the protagonist doesn’t ultimately choose. It is evident that the cast had lots of fun shooting together, and while the romantic chemistry wasn’t able to sell completely on the screen, the comfort the actors had together with humor and care maintained the warmth of the tone.
Janeen Damian Brings the Classic and Beloved Hallmark Personality to the Film
Experienced producer and director, Janeen Damian, displays her Hallmark personality with the film. From the way she gets the camera working to make the emerging romance to feel like a magic show to the story of two very different people converging toward one goal, it spells Hallmark all around, just this time it’s on Netflix. Netflix tends to bring in a pool of holiday films around the Thanksgiving season, and they’re becoming stiff competition with Hallmark on who could make the most amount of Christmas romances (with similar plots) in time for the season.
That being said, ‘Falling for Christmas’ doesn’t have much going for it that differs from other holiday movies seen on Netflix and Hallmark. The biggest difference is the inclusion of Lohan’s casting along with Overstreet, but it’s not hard to predict how the story will pan out. It seems the story creators were hyper-focused on creating such a wholesome story with many wholesome events it just doesn’t leave the possibility that anything bad can happen and leaves it quite obvious who Lohan is going to end up with before the conflict even happens.
Lindsay Lohan does not plan on this film is the only film for her comeback on screen. Lohan has a film currently in production set to release in 2023 titled ‘Irish Wish.’ Directed by the same director as ‘Falling for Christmas,’ ‘Irish Wish’ centers around Lohan’s character attending the wedding of her one true love and her best friend in Ireland. With another romantic comedy with a love triangle from the same director that delivered this Hallmark-esque holiday film, hopefully, it won’t have the same predictability factor that ‘Falling for Christmas’ had.
Hopefully, fans of Lohan can expect to see her on other types of projects other than these streaming original romantic comedies. It’s hard to determine what fans of the icon expect to be added to her filmography considering a lot of her iconic movies centered around her character as a high schooler in the 2000s. Now being in her 40s, Lohan has to find a new niche for herself. Perhaps she is testing the waters of the cliche low-budget rom-com, and since she signed on to do another film in the genre with the same director, she is probably having lots of fun doing this.
‘Falling for Christmas’ is available to stream on Netflix now.
‘Irish Wish’ is set to release in 2023.
Actors: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner, Olivia Perez, Alejandra Flores, Chase Ramsey
Director: Janeen Damian
Producer: Michael Damian, Brad Krevoy
Writer: Jeff Bonnett, Ron Oliver
By Nino Vongphachanh
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Limited Time Offer: Join for FREE today and get unlimited
The Hollywood Insider is against gossip and scandal, fully focused on substance & meaningful entertainment.
We choose quality over quantity, compassion over oppression, wisdom over intelligence.
Newsletter Subscription
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
