Hallmark’s at it again, this time with “Leah’s Perfect Gift,” a holiday movie that asks the age-old question: Can a Jewish woman truly find Christmas joy amidst a boyfriend’s WASPy family traditions? Let’s face it, the premise is rife with potential for both heartwarming sentiment and cringe-inducing awkwardness.
Emily Arlook stars as Leah Meyer, a woman who’s apparently spent a lifetime yearning for a Norman Rockwell-esque Christmas. Enter Graham (Evan Roderick), the boyfriend whose family offers a chance to finally experience one. But instead of sugar plums and carols, Leah gets a stocking full of potential conflict, courtesy of Barbara Niven, who plays Graham’s skeptical mother.
Sure, the “clash of cultures” trope is well-worn territory, but Hallmark has a knack for wringing surprising amounts of charm from the most predictable narratives. Or at least they try. Will Leah’s Christmas dreams be dashed against the rocks of familial disapproval? Will she find a way to bridge the cultural divide, or will she end up wishing she’d just stayed home with a good Hanukkah latke?
This December, Hallmark invites viewers to witness the potential trainwreck/ heartwarming reconciliation unfold. Tune in to find out. Maybe there’s a menorah next to the mistletoe after all.
“Leah’s Perfect Gift” premieres Sunday, December 8 at 8:00 PM on the Hallmark Channel.
