Sarah Drew gives 100 percent in energy to this movie. The goofy games theme gives at least another 50. Her goofy and loyal friends another 50 after that. Together we have 200 percent in energy out of a total of 100.

The Christmas games theme has been a somewhat new but popular theme in the last couple years. This movie blows the doors off a lot of the holiday themed games I've seen prior to this.

Beyond the games, the story relies on some common themes. Mac and Chase might have had something in high school but rivalry and promising fame and fortune got in the way. Mac is dealing with the loss of her dad which motivates her in most of her endeavors especially these games but it also holds her back from her potential future. Chase's movie star career has seen better days and he is hoping for a big part. As is common, an overheard conversation creates a misunderstanding which leads to the conflict and a grand gesture is needed that makes use of some of the plot devices we've seen through the movie. Despite how derivative this story sounds in this synopsis, it is done extremely well.

And then there is Drew's energy. The chemistry between her and Justin Bruening exemplifies what chemistry in rom/coms aspires to.

I have been super impressed when I have seen Sarah Drew in the past but there are two comments to go with that. 1 However impressed I was in the past, she exceeds that here, a lot. 2 - Unfortunately I was disappointed in the make-up team in this movie. In at least a couple scenes, Drew looked less than stellar and not because that particular scene resulted in Mac being unkempt. I don't want to insult this remarkable woman any more than just to say, a good makeup team could have done better. Perhaps I missed the point and the director was trying to show the contrast in the superhero Mac was in action vs how normal was her appearance. If so, I still think there could have been some better touch up a couple of times. Whatever the case, the remarkable Sarah Drew gave us a totally remarkable Mac.

Most of the aging TV romance actresses should take a page from Sarah Drew's book. Sarah is 42 years old but looks 10 years younger. It might be genetics, but in my opinion, it was the minimalistic lowkey way in which she was made up. Of course, that gorgeous red hair doesn't hurt either. I love that tomboyish girl next door look. As the hero says about her character, "She is a breath of fresh air."

This was mostly the standard plot of the famous movie star coming back to his small hometown, and falling in love with his old highschool sweetheart once again. It was made more intriguing because Mac, the girl, has some serious grief issues. We learn that she and Chase broke up in highschool (Why?-What happened?) and she is not anxious to renew the acquaintance. Why was her nickname "Pre-Med" in highschool? She is a great teacher, but why isn't she a doctor? All is revealed gradually throughout the show.

It had plenty of humor, including both situational and funny one-liners, but it also had some sadness and heartbreak too. It was well-balanced and well-rounded with no silliness. Her grief for her father was a little over the top, but it was well-acted. Justin Breuning who played Chase was good too, and he and Sarah Drew were good together. Mac's character was very likable. She was a great girl and It is no surprise that a famous movie star, used to dating glamourpusses would fall for her.

We all know the two leads will fall in love and get together with "The Kiss" at the end of the movie, but it's nice to change that timing a bit and to work out the career difficulties. Interesting, too, that it was somewhat obvious how Mac (Sarah Drew) was an older woman than Chase (Justin Bruening), which would explain her doctor credentials, though not their high-school puppy-love story. I agree that the long tresses of messy red hair and her effervescent but mature demeanor helped deflect from that actual age discrepancy - I've not seen 'Grey's Anatomy' so wasn't familiar with either actor IRL. Sarah certainly doesn't need a lot of makeup, too, and is a natural athlete.

Regardless, there were also some real comedic moments from each of the members of the supporting cast. Maybe the writers for Lifetime/Hallmark RomCom movies have finally gotten the point that viewers need to be engaged (entertained) and surprised enough to watch the whole movie.