Is Writing Around the Christmas Tree Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2021)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2021, Writing Around the Christmas Tree represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the TV Movie, Comedy, Romance, Drama category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Mikaela is a successful romance novelist who has had bad luck in love, visits a quaint bed and breakfast for a Christmas writer's retreat near a snowy lake town each year. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of TV Movie, Comedy, Romance, Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Mikaela is a successful romance novelist who has had bad luck in love, visits a quaint bed and breakfast for a Christmas writer's retreat near a snowy lake town each year. Upon arriving, she meets dashing writer Levi, who soon convinces Mikaela that she shouldn't be writing about love, if she doesn't allow herself to get out and actually experience it."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. In Writing Around the Christmas Tree, we see Krystal Joy Brown utilizing their established screen presence to carry the story forward. It is a solid, workmanlike performance that serves the director's vision without overshadowing the larger narrative goals.

The direction by Jake Helgren is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 85 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Writing Around the Christmas Tree truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of TV Movie, Comedy, Romance, Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 5/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Writing Around the Christmas Tree explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2021 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Jake Helgren respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Writing Around the Christmas Tree is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Krystal Joy Brown or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Writing Around the Christmas Tree is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.