A Cape Cod Christmas (2021)
My flight from Boston back to New Orleans has been delayed by a couple of hours, so I’m writing this from Logan International. The airport asks an absurd number of questions to join the free Wi-Fi.
I chose the regionally-appropriate A Cape Cod Christmas for the next holiday film. The main character returns to her family’s massive Cape Cod vacation home to host one more Christmas before she and her two siblings sell the house. Main character is a children’s book author. She reunites in Cape Cod with her childhood sweetheart, now an internationally-known artist. She doesn’t want to sell the house, but her siblings need the money. Main character talks her bossy agent into a six-figure advance on her next book by voluntolding her artist beau to do the illustrations. Home is where the heart is, if that home has a multimillion dollar view.
Was A Cape Cod Christmas filmed in Cape Cod? Yes! Every scene in the movie was filmed on location in Falmouth and Woods Hole, and it showcased real businesses like the local book store. The writer and director grew up in the area. I’ve never been to Cape Cod, but this movie did a good job of showcasing it.
Did they film this in the summer and just pretend it was Christmas? I’m too lazy to research that, but it looked like it was fall at the very least, and there was a dusting of snow on the ground in some scenes. There’s currently a dusting of snow on the ground here in Boston, so that checks out.
Who’s dead in this movie? A double doozie! Both parents of the siblings are dead, the mother from cancer and the dad from a broken heart.
How Cape Cod-y was this movie? Aside from the scenic shots of Cape Cod, not very. I feel like they could have leaned into the local traditions more. The family does go out on a stroll, which is apparently a big thing on the Cape during the season. Provincetown lights a lobster pot Christmas tree and there’s a boat parade in Hyannis.
Would you buy a product the main characters created? Probably not. The writing in the main character’s first book was a bit simplistic. And his art was pretty middle of the road tourist stuff.
What were your takeaways from the movie? This one was much better than A Christmas in Vermont (ACIV). I liked that the characters were all nice to each other the whole time, even when they disagreed. The main character in ACIV was downright mean to the guy at first.
Did the movie include enough Fair Isle sweaters, themed throw blankets, other holiday decor? For sure! Kudos to the wardrobe people and set designers. I might be looking for some of those sweaters on eBay later.
How many montages did we get in this one? 3!
What did you forget to mention earlier? Oh! I can’t believe I forgot this detail from the movie. The brother was played by the guy who played the Shermanator in the American Pie series. Also, a quick search on Redfin tells me the main characters need to sell a whole lot of books and art to buy out two-thirds of a waterfront house on the Cape.
