Holiday in Santa Fe (Lifetime)
My first Lifetime movie viewing was a success, except for the lack of wacky plot developments. Holiday in Santa Fe was totally satisfying and gorgeous, with adobe architecture, colorful Mexican-influenced art, glowing holiday decorations, and a cast so beautiful that you don’t question why the main couple falls in love after knowing each other for 24 hours. Sadly, no time travel or magical socks, just a couple of questionable business decisions.
Mario Lopez does not age. For the record, in real life he’s 48 and the actor who plays his love interest Belinda is 32. In the movie, the perpetual glossiness of Belinda’s hair and lips distracts you from noticing any age difference, even though a nagging voice in the back of your mind keeps saying, how old was I when I watched Saved by the Bell?
As a third culture kid myself, I loved how the Ortega family kept switching between Spanish and English. The movie is only subtitled when the characters speak entire lines in Spanish, but they often switch back and forth seamlessly within a sentence. Even though I’m not Latina, it sounded like home.
The premise: The Ortega family owns a successful shop where they sell handmade art and decor, formerly designed by the matriarch of the family. She recently passed away, leaving her daughter to carry on her work. That’s Mario’s sister, who struggles with lack of confidence in her artistic abilities. Mario (actually Tony) left his fancy New York apartment and finance job to be with Mom when she was sick, and he’s still there looking after the family store. Concerned about the financial sustainability of the store after his mother’s death, he contacts a big corporation to see if they’re interested in making a deal. Enter Belinda, a self-professed workaholic who flies out from Chicago during Christmas week and is counting on this acquisition for a promotion.
There is very little conflict here. Belinda and Tony act like they’re on a date from the moment they meet, and they’re both ready to make a business deal in their mutual best interest. The sister is suspicious of the big corporation, but is willing to hear them out. The dad says whatever the kids want to do is fine. The corporation is mostly portrayed as very welcoming, inclusive, and caring, except when it occasionally needs to be evil to move the plot along.
But the movie is beautiful to look at, pleasing to watch, and makes you feel good in the end, despite the dearth of aliens, ghosts, and organ transplants. (More of those tomorrow.)