A slice of escapism to brighten a day
The former stars of Blue Lagoon and Princess Bride have chemistry to burn in this rom-com, finds James Croot.
Among the annual flood of forgettable festive fluff, one title has already brought a smile to my face. It might be a tale as old as time and just a haggis short of the Scottish cliches full monty, but the secret sauce of A Castle for Christmas (now streaming on Netflix) is in its casting.
Instead of the latest Instaqueen or the streaming service’s in-house hottie du jour, this features former 1980s favourites Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes (now 56 and 59 years old, respectively).
They give genuine heartfelt performances as flawed characters, the former Princess Bride lead even managing to master a decent brogue.
Displaying the same comedic chops and energy that lifted late-90s sitcom Suddenly Susan above its over-reliance on lazy plotting and obvious gags, Shields is successful author Sophie Brown.
For 20 years and 12 novels she has been riding high, thanks to an army of readers with a voracious appetite for the globetrotting romantic adventures of her protagonist, Emma Gale.
However, the past few months have been a disaster. Not only has her marriage dissolved, but the response to her latest book has been vitriolic. Sophie’s decision to kill off Emma’s ongoing love interest Winston has resulted in abuse, threats and even a protest awaiting her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
When the host also decries Sophie’s decision (‘‘You killed a man I was in love with. What gives you right to take him away?’’), the latter explodes in an on-air rant (‘‘You should be happy it was a quick death – I could have extended it for 10 pages’’) that even her agent Claire (Taskmaster’s Desiree Burch) can’t condone.
Seeking to escape, Sophie remembers her father’s tales of the Scottish castle he grew up around. Dun Dunbar seems like the perfect place to forget her troubles, especially when the local knitting circle and pub patrons offer a warm welcome. That initially includes Miles (Elwes), seemingly the area’s go-to maintenance man. He offers Sophie a guided tour of the castle, a meet-cute that’s going swimmingly until she takes advantage of being temporarily left alone to explore an area that he considers off-limits.
Harsh words result and a mutual grudge is established. That is quickly put to the test when Sophie puts in an offer for the castle and Miles turns out to be the owner.
‘‘The Duke’’ desperately needs a sale, or the bank will take all his land, but he is now convinced Sophie is the one person he should definitely not sell to – until he hatches a plan to keep her non-refundable deposit, and the castle.
Miles is sure he will be able to ‘‘make her life so miserable, she’ll never want to see a castle again’’.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out what happens next, but it’s done with a charm and chutzpah that sweeps you along until, before you know it, they’ve broken out the kilts, the reels and Robbie Williams’ She’s the One.
Director Mary Lambert ensures that her stars and the Scottish setting are front and centre, embraces the genre’s very specific tropes and keeps the plot’s propulsion at a brisk speed.
Likewise, writing duo Ally Carter and Kim BeyerJohnson set up the contrivances with a wink and a smile and let our central pair’s chemistry steal the show.
It is a feel-good romp that makes use of its star power and is just the uplifting slice of escapism that could brighten a trying day.