Christmas On The Square
Ratings: 4.2/5
Duration: 1hr 38 min
Language: English
Genre: Musical
Director: Debbie Allen
Writer: Maria S. Schlatter
Based On:
Producer: Debbie Allen, Sam Haskell, Dolly Parton, Maria S. Schlatter
Music: Dolly Parton
Cinematography: Oliver Bokelberg
Editing: Casey O. Rohrs
Art Direction: MaryBeth McCaffrey-Dillon
Release Date: 22 November, 2020
Streaming On: Netflix
Star Cast: Dolly Parton, Jenifer Lewis, Josh Segarra, Jeanine Mason, Mary Lane Haskell, Treat Williams, Christine Baranski, Mark Daniel Chmiel, Donald Corren , Mary Donnelly Haskell, Brandon Hudson, Matthew Johnson, Selah Kimbro Jones, Vivian Nixon, Brandon O'Neal, Douglas Sills, Carol Swarbrick
Plot:
The film follows a wealthy and pretentious woman named Regina Fuller, who after the death of her father, returns to her hometown before Christmas to evict the residents and sell the land to a mall developer.
Review:
Christmas on the Square has a full 14 new Dolly Parton songs. Some of them are better musically than others. The opening number is up there with the intro to Into the Woods for the way it sets up the exposition and introduces the setting, plot, and major characters with a catchy tune and some engaging choreography.
In the opening song, the Angel played by Dolly Parton sits in the square dressed as a less fortunate citizen asking for change. She sings about the real spirit of Christmas as a time for caring, giving, singing, joy and love, while the townsfolk sing along, dance, and do various small-town tasks.
Christmas on the Square stars Christine Baranski as Regina Fuller, a wealthy yet cruel woman who returns to her small hometown after her father's death to evict the inhabitants and sell the land to a mall developer.
In addition to Baranski and Parton, the film also stars Jenifer Lewis, Treat Williams, and directed and is choreographed by three-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen. The musical features musical numbers arranged by Broadway’s Larry Blank. Though there are only 14 songs, they pop up again throughout the movie leading to a whopping 30 song track list.
A little surprise element comes in the form of Selah Kimbro Jones who plays Violet, a wise beyond her very few years kid who knows all about the ins and outs of life because she was raised in the back of a bar with access to the internet. Violet draws out a performance from the spectacular Christine Baranski and has polished their chemistry to an impressive new level!
The majority of the songs are fun and keep the plot moving. Characters spout lyrics like “Reggenie, you’re such a meanie! Playing queenie! I’ve loved you since we were teeny!” with full-blown emotion.
Christmas on the Square introduces another holiday movie. It’s a roller coaster of conventionality, but every time uplifting the drama more and more until it finally culminates; and while it ends, Dolly sings this inspiring ballad over the movie's end credits, leading the audience out on a hopeful note.
