movie backdrop

almost 3 years ago

12 Dates of Christmas

a review by Peter McGinn

Just when I think Inhave seen all of the “Groundhog Day” movie clones, I stumble over another one. And this one has been around for a while, but surfaced when we were cruising holiday films on Prime Video.

The script isn’t at all daring or memorable, and I don’t recall many laugh out loud moments. But it is amusing in places and the chemistry between the various characters is strong. I liked how most of the characters were fleshed out some rather than left as two dimensional extras. (Well, except for the poor shop clerk who spritzes our heroine in each day’s reincarnation and only gets the same lame line.) And of course there is character of growth accomplishing our selfish lead character. She shares with Bill Murray’s charactr in the original the growing knowledge that she needs to try to have a perfect day. And she improves the day gradually by building on what she did during previous versions of the day. But the story doesn’t try to copy Groundhog Day by being over the top with what she will do to get out of her repeating day, and it is harmless fun that I don’t regret spending time on.