A Carol for Two (Hallmark Channel - 2024)

Deck The Hallmark

The movie kicks off with some singing—more singing in the first minute than in the entire runtime of a movie ABOUT MUSICAL THEATER! Everyone loves it. Violette's dad comes up to her afterward with an envelope full of cash from the townsfolk. They're pumped that one of their own is going to Broadway! Cut to New York, and we get MORE singing! We're at this bar, and a dude is up there just straight vibing. It's Alex, and he's actually a waiter who has to get back to work!
Alex's cousin, Brad, shows up, and Alex's boss, Hazel, is not happy to see him. She says whatever you do, do not give him money until he pays his tab. Alex is busy, busy, busy, but he really wants to be a playwright.
Violette gets to New York and is shocked to find out that the tour has been canceled. Investors pulled out. She's crushed. Lucky for her, her aunt's best friend is...HAZEL! So she shows up at the bar right in the middle of Hazel's big number. Hazel is shocked to see her—it’s been a long time. Hazel says you have two choices: go back home and sell insurance or thicken your skin and figure it out. Violette is like, "Well, how about I work for you?" Hazel is like, "I don't think you can handle it, but I'll give you a shot." She also introduces her to Rae, who just lost her roommate.
The next day, Hazel introduces Violette to the rest of the crew, and Alex is less than thrilled to have her, especially since she's getting to sing so quickly. She gets up there and sings "O Holy Night"—the flute player shows off—and the crowd goes nuts. As she’s singing, Brad walks in and is just jaw-dropped.
Hazel comes up on stage and announces that Violette is going to be closing the Christmas Eve show with Alex, so get your tickets now! Brad talks to Alex and says he has to introduce him to this girl. If things work out with her, maybe he’ll even move out of your apartment! So Alex is in.
In a shocking development, Violette is actually interested in ALEX! Violette has also been lying to her dad about the show because she doesn't want to disappoint him.
Violette and Alex meet up to work on the Christmas Eve number. They argue about which song to sing and somehow land on "Santa Baby." Brad is out on the town and sees his ex, lying and telling her that he's dating someone named Violette.
He gets back to his apartment, and Violette is there with Alex, and they have just the weirdest first impression. That weird first impression leads to an even weirder first phone call. But on that phone call, Brad gets Alex to set up a double date with him and his fake girlfriend, their neighbor June.
So they all meet up at the Festival of Christmas Trees, and Violette asks Brad what his favorite musical is. So, obviously, he runs over and asks Alex for advice on what he should say. Basically, all of Brad's best stuff is actually just Alex's.
The next day, Violette and Alex have to go deliver baskets to a senior center, and they sing some songs. That's when they stumble into their Christmas Eve duet—"The Christmas Song." They crush it.
Back at the apartment, Brad is fishing for advice on what he should do with Violette on Christmas Eve. He recommends taking her to "The Nutcracker," since she said she sees it at her dad's every year.
After a failed audition, Alex and Violette walk around the city and talk about life, giving each other some advice. Clearly falling for her, Alex makes Violette a yule log because she made one every year back home. She shows up, and Brad takes all the credit for it. She even thanks him with a kiss! Alex walks in while they’re kissing. Whomp, whomp. But she is deeply bothered by Brad falling asleep during "The Nutcracker."
At work, Alex shows Violette a little of the show he's writing, and she inspires him to finish it! Brad comes up with the idea that they should go caroling, which really moves Violette, and she kisses him again. But when she sees Alex sing "Silent Night," she's clearly moved. And who wouldn't be?
After receiving flowers from Brad, she tells Alex that while Brad is a great guy, she doesn't think he's her great guy. Alex's eyes light up like a Christmas tree. She calls and breaks things off.
It's Christmas Eve, and they're about to perform. Violette is shocked to see that her dad is here. She goes outside to catch her breath. As she's doing that, she overhears an argument between Brad and Alex and finds out that Alex was feeding Brad all the information. She tells them both off, but uh oh, it’s time to perform.
She gets on stage and can’t do it. She runs off. Alex goes to talk to her, but she doesn't want to talk to him. She just wants her dad! Her dad gives a great pep talk like all good TV dads do.
It's Christmas morning. Brad gives Alex the best Christmas gift—the gift of going away forever.
Violette has a note slid under her door to meet at the bar at 5 PM. She shows up, and Hazel set up a do-over...in front of a Broadway producer...on Christmas Day!!!
So she and Alex make up, and they decide to sing the original song from Alex's musical, and it’s a musical bop that I still can't get out of my mind...WHO KNEW, WHO KNEW IT'D BE YOU, WHO KNEW IT'D BE YOU THIS CHRISTMASSSSS. The producer loves it. And Alex and Violette kiss as the drummer looks down at his drum set because he thinks kisses are icky. The movie ends with a bunch of headlines about their Broadway smash hit.