‘The Christmas Writer’ delights – women’s romcom finds love and literary inspiration

“The Christmas Writer” is a new sapphic holiday romantic comedy directed by the Emmy-nominated producer and Tello Films founder and CEO Christin Baker in her feature debut, co-written with Katie I. Williams.
The plot centers around Noel Robbins (Shelby Allison Brown), a bestselling author known for lesbian Christmas romances. After a grievous setback, she is paralyzed by writer’s block and decides to return to her hometown in an effort to find inspiration and get back on track. There, she meets Callie (Callie Bussell), a single mom and local bookstore owner who becomes her unexpected muse.

The film is shot on location in the invitingly picturesque fictional town of Pinewood somewhere in Connecticut, where several holiday-themed productions have been filmed. The gorgeous New England location provides the perfect Christmas setting.

In addition to stunning visuals, the film is defined by a chill, relaxed soundtrack that masterfully complements the acting and captures the essence of the Christmas spirit.

Fans of sapphic holiday fare will find echoes of another Tello gem in this film. “Looking for Her” is also set in a beautiful small town, but it has a more overtly satirical take on Christmas commercialism. Both films feature Tello’s signature clipped dialogue that creates a sense of emotional restraint, but with a contemplative, almost dreamlike tone. “The Christmas Writer,” on the other hand, is a more uplifting film, making it a good palate cleanser for jaded hearts.

Nonetheless, “The Christmas Writer” is by no means a saccharine sweet holiday film. Truth shines through from the film’s opening line about betrayal and tears, an immediate acknowledgment that although it may share certain features, this is not going to be a Hallmark film.

As we get into the story, so does the truth-telling, as when just a few minutes into the film the audience discovers just how mercenary Noel Robbins’ literary agent truly is, with shenanigans punctuated by the perfect musical score. The agent even gets her non-binary assistant Paulette (Jordan Myrick) to illegally search Noel’s house looking for new writing, and then fires the duped assistant in a frosty display of betrayal when the scheme badly backfires.

In like manner, the film offers tongue-in-cheek scenes of aspiring writers giving elevator pitches of their book ideas at an author event. Here the mocking soundtrack highlights the awkwardness of the situation. And yet, in a subsequent scene we learn that sometimes even odd ideas, if inspired and well-executed, can actually work.

Christmas love, holiday bliss
A good deal of the film’s charm derives from its emotional authenticity and engaging leads. Ultimately, this is a joyful film with a downright good story. Lead actresses Brown and Bussell give fantastic performances, demonstrating an on-screen chemistry that shimmers and crackles like an open fire. The magnetic pull between them is tangible. Their flirtations and stolen kisses in the stacks feel electric and relatable, and their dialogue is crisp and quick witted, but also genuine and warm, making the pair irresistible.

Some may call this rom-com rather formulaic, but for the most part, it is seen as comforting in its predictability with so much going on in the world today.

Whether intentional or not, the film is a bright and beautiful demonstration of the original meaning of Christmas: peace on earth, good will toward all. Very much to the film’s credit, commercialism and the almost mandatory materialism of the holiday season is pretty much absent. Instead, the focus is on family, good friends, fun and holiday activities that can be enjoyed even on a shoestring budget, such as baking holiday cookies, enjoying hot cocoa, and simply taking a scenic walk with good company.

The message is so subtle you may not notice the film’s gentle insistence on chosen kinship and the move away from the high-priced illusions nearly ubiquitously peddled for the holidays.

The film’s intergenerational story adds a heartfelt holiday touch, though I found myself wishing Noel had risen to the occasion to take her grandmother in, rather than allowing her loneliness to lead her to move into a retirement home. It felt like a missed opportunity for a mutually beneficial arrangement.

“The Christmas Writer” delivers a lovely dose of yuletide bliss. Grab your coziest blanket and prepare to emerge ready to believe again in the magic of Christmas.

Limited screenings in select theaters, now streaming on Tello,
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