All I Want For Christmas Is You is not based on the hit Mariah Carey song. In fact, that Christmas tune never plays on the soundtrack, even briefly. Rather, the Aashish Chanana written and directed romance plays out more like Past Lives if it were a Hallmark movie. Is the meshing of those two seemingly disparate things a sweet stocking stuffer or a lump of coal?
Ashley (Logen Cheatham) works as a social media marketing specialist at a rapidly growing company. Her release of the stress of the day is singing at her favorite lounge. Nick (Brad West) is a fashion designer with a love of motorcycles. When he and his friend go out one night, Nick is instantly smitten when he sees Ashley sing. After the show, he approaches her, but she rebuffs his advances. However, the next day, Nick enlists the help of a marketing company to advance his fashion business… the very same one Ashly works for. And just like that, love is in the air.
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“…miracles do happen as Nick is found alive… the day after Ashley marries Bobby.”
Unfortunately, Nick’s dad, David (Brian LaBelle), has a heart attack. Of course, Nick goes to check in on him, and on the way back, he vanishes. After several days of searching, officials declare Nick dead, leaving Ashley devastated at the loss of her fiancé. A year later, Ashley begins a whirlwind romance with Bobby (Sean Perry), who is a high-profile lawyer at the firm that hired her marketing company. While hesitant at first, Ashley does fall for the sweet Bobby, who is more than happy to let her set the pace. However, miracles do happen as Nick is found alive… the day after Ashley marries Bobby.
Chanana is determined to ensure that All I Want For Christmas Is You does not look like any other Christmas romance out there. To that end, the filmmaker, working with director of photography Pablo Lago Dantas, employs numerous long takes, roaming cameras, montages, and lens flare —yes, lens flare. That part can be distracting in some cases, such as when Bobby and Ashley are on a date involving a horse-drawn carriage. However, for the most part, the cinematography and lighting create a kinetic and engaging visual experience.
"…a different holiday romance offering."
