Tonight's Movie: Christmas in the Air (2017)

It may be almost Halloween, but temps here in Southern California are unseasonably hot, in the mid 90s this week.

It was thus the perfect time to pretend it's colder and wish winter here...by watching a Christmas movie! That film was CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR (2017) from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel.

Star and co-executive producer Catherine Bell plays Lydia, a professional organizer who chances to meet a harried widowed dad of two while on a shopping trip.

That dad, Robert Trent (Eric Close), and his brother George (Ken Tremblett), who run their own toy company, have less than two weeks to prepare for a big meeting with Lawrence Hennessey (Malcolm Stewart), the owner of a superstore who might be interested in carrying their products.

In addition to hosting Mr. Hennessey and his wife (Beverley Breuer) for an office tour and a pre-Christmas dinner at his house, Robert must cope with daughter Amelia's (Trinity Likins) class play, getting ready for Christmas, and the fact that his house is a mess. Enter Lydia, who calmly sets about helping Robert reorganize his life...while Robert simultaneously shows buttoned-down Lydia that sometimes a little mess and spontaneity can be a good thing.

This film, like other good Hallmark titles such as A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER (2017) or MISS CHRISTMAS (2017), is what my dad terms a "family romance," which I think is an apt description. While a relationship develops between the lead couple, it's really the story of a larger group of people helping one another. Having lost her own mother, Lydia is able to sensitively interact with young Amelia and her brother Thomas (Jesse Filkow). A simple scene involving cookie baking with the kids is touching along with creating happy holiday vibes; one sees that it means as much to Lydia as it does the children.

This is what you might call a straightforward and simple Hallmark film; there's nothing especially unusual about it and you know where the story will end up, but it's very well crafted and provides a pleasant 84 minutes of entertainment in a lovely holiday setting. Catherine Bell is appealing in the lead role, and little Trinity Likins is a particularly cute child actress. I found the movie quite enjoyable.

The film's title is apparently a play on words referring to one of Robert's toys as well as the holiday season. (When I first read the title I thought maybe plane travel was involved!) It was written by Jana King and directed by Martin Wood. The movie was filmed by Michael Balfry in British Columbia.

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR is available on DVD. Unfortunately the sound balancing on this one is sub-par, with background music and noises at times drowning out Bell's quiet voice. Other than a muffled soundtrack which at times requires the volume to be turned up, it's an attractive DVD.

This week Hallmark kicks off its run of nonstop Christmas movies until New Year's, so watch the Hallmark website this film to be shown in the weeks ahead.