This funny holiday movie involves older romantic love. Nic Monts (Glenn Morshower) is well-established in his life: he works on an oil rig, loves to enter an annual bowling tournament, and has been married for years. But his life is about to get shaken up.
He and his wife, Penny (Kimberly Gail Williams), are empty nesters, with his daughter, Maddie (Brooke Lyons), having recently moved out. Unaware of her loneliness, Nic soon learns that Penny is feeling empty and wants a change. And that change means leaving Nic. On top of this, Nic is competitive in bowling but recently lost a tournament to his nemesis, Spike (played by Gary Valentine, actor Kevin James’ brother).
Nic’s pastor, Kris Walters (Kevin P. Farley) helps keep him moving forward with promises of prayer and with his sense of humor. But as Nic’s ex starts a new relationship with a man named Tim, Nic struggles to find himself. Soon, a return visit by Pastor Kris’s sister, Sandy (Kara Rainer), gets Nic’s attention. He teased her as a child, calling her “Twinkie.” She hasn’t forgotten it. But she is a straight-forward, direct kind of woman and Nic likes it. Soon she notices him as well, and they begin to date.
The movie contains several humorous scenes, including Nic having a real Twinkie brought to his and Sandy’s restaurant table! In another comedic scene, Nic is napping in a chair following a festive Thanksgiving dinner, and Sandy is watching the Cowboys’ football game. Suddenly, she yells, “Touchdown, Cowboys!” which wakes up Nic. “Just kidding,” she says. “It’s half-time!”
Content Analysis: The movie features a few scenes of drinking and talk of wine, not to mention a few words of language, such as “H” and “Hot da*n!” But it also features the pastor telling his friend he will pray for him, not to mention some wonderful Christmas songs such as “Silent Night.”
Think About it: There are some wonderful discussion points in this film. For example, how can someone move forward when a relationship ends in a person’s life? And, in addition, how to navigate with neutrality when a grown adult’s parents divorce. Another discussion point is dealing with defeat and keeping a good attitude and not giving up in future challenges. Forgiveness is also an important theme in the movie. And the importance of prayer as illustrated by the pastor in the film.
Sure enough, Nic ends up in another bowling match, but in this case it is a fundraiser, titled “Grumpy Old Santa Shoot-Out.” He and Sandy wind up on a team playing against Penny and her new husband, Tim. Penny, interestingly, reaches back out to Nic, as Penny is not happy with her new husband. You will have to watch to see how that scene plays out.
The Dove Take: This movie contains some laughs, the Christmas spirit, and romance, but it has a few content issues which makes it more appropriate for Ages 12+.
