A Christmas Melody

Mariah Carey directs the Hallmark family holiday film _A Christmas Melody_. Lacey Chabert stars as a single mother who’s forced to move back to her hometown in Ohio after her LA fashion boutique goes out of business; and to help her daughter adjust, she gets her an audition to her school’s Christmas pageant. Chabert gives a strong performance and has good chemistry with newcomer Fina Strazza; who proves to be a rather charming child actress. The plot is predictable and follows all the usual clichés, but it also has a nice message about adjusting one’s dreams as you go through live and not letting the past define you. And while this is clearly a low-budget film, it puts its money in the right places; delivering some impressive costumes and sets that capture the festiveness of the season. It has some weaknesses, but overall _A Christmas Melody_ is a fun and entertaining film that has the Christmas spirit.