Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story

RATING: TV-G

LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review: on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3D4LnYA

A hat kind of like the one featured in the movie:

IN A NUTSHELL:

If a woman could ever convince a football-loving man to watch a chick flick, this would be the one! Superfans of both football and romance will be in heaven. The story is about Alana, a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan and her family who compete to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest. The eligible bachelor, Derrick, is the Director of Fan Engagement and the judge who has a meet-cute with Alana.

The film was directed by John Putch. Writing credits go to Julie Sherman Wolfe.

THINGS I LIKED:

Kansas City Chiefs get a HUGE shoutout in this movie that features the team and its passionate fans. They’ll recognize Chief players Trev Green, Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Christian Okoye, and George Karlaftis! You’ll also see Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid.
Pay close attention and you’ll see Travis Kelce’s mother in the movie, Donna Kelce! She helps one of the characters order a platter, while wearinga Chief’s jersey that says “Love you Mommy”. Cute! Nice touch! This movie is a fun collaboration between Hallmark and the NFL.
Older viewers will really get a kick out of the older cast members who have starred in a lot of fun film and TV shows over the years: Ed Begley Jr., Richard Riehle, Christine Ebersole, and Abraham Benrubi. Other cast members include Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Mary Beth McDonough, and the romantic couple: Hunter King and Tyler Hynes. Jenna Bush Hager even gives a cameo performance as an announcement.
If you like Tyler Hynes, definitely check out his hilarious and feisty character in the Three Wise Men and a Baby, as well as this year’s newest addition to that Hallmark franchise Three Wiser Men and a Boy.
A newbie tastes the famous Kansas City BBQ and banana pudding for the first time. Have you tried it? I have! Yum! By the way, Hallmark is a Kansas City based company!
The film does a great job showing the importance of family traditions during the holidays, including traditions of football fans.
It seems like the Hallmark team really did their homework for this one. I know the fans will really appreciate that.
There’s some cute humor by the matchmaking, meddling parents, as well as funny banter between Tyler Hynes’ and Hunter King’s characters.
The movie was shot on the historic Independence Square in Independence, Missouri. The Square really does a Christmas lighting like it’s shown in the film. So charming. The real-life stores shown in the movie are really family-owned sites like in the movie too.
The movie was shot in Kansas City, including at Arrowhead Stadium for three days. I love the bird’s eye shots that show just how enormous it really is.
The surprise at the game is super sweet and gave me all the feels.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Because it’s a Hallmark movie, the romance part of the story is extremely predictable.
Some viewers have complained that this one isn’t very Christmassy, but I disagree. We see tons of Christmas tress, lights, cute ornaments, holiday drinks and on and on. For some people, Christmas means football, so I like that Hallmark tried something different with this one!
The leading lady is completely obsessed with a hat and allows it to get in the way of love and reality. Her grandpa teaches her that the magic is not in the hat but in what it represents.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids might be bored unless they love football or Hallmark movies in general.
An entire family gets drunk by drinking a ton of spiked eggnog.

THEMES:

Football
Superstitions
Family
Traditions
Competition
Looking for signs

FUNNY LINES:

“I always wondered who were those people on the sidelines.” – Paul Higman (Ed Begley Jr.)
“Look at you spreading your Christmas magic.” – Leah Higman (Megyn Price)
“Say Chiefs!” – Leah Higman (Megyn Price)

INTERESTING LINES:

“You can’t be a real fan if you don’t believe in superstition.” – Derrick Taylor (Tyler Hynes)
“Just because I believe something doesn’t mean everyone else has to.” – Alana Higman (Hunter King)
“You can’t let fear rob you of hope.” – Leah Higman (Megyn Price)
“Your family has made you who you are.” – Derrick Taylor (Tyler Hynes)
“You never know how much time you got.” – Derrick Taylor (Tyler Hynes)
“I’m sorry but my Dad never told me that girls can’t play football.” – Alana Higman (Hunter King)