While watching “Feliz NaviDAD”, I kept thinking in my head of how cool this film was and how it was one of the better holiday films I have watched. When you can find a couple who interact so well, that it’s believable, as if the connection is quite real, you know you have something special. Mario Lopez and AnnaLynne McCord, definitely have onscreen chemistry and I hope Lifetime considers a sequel to “Feliz NaviDAD”, I personally would love to see David, Sophie and the family back again!
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TITLE: Feliz NaviDAD
FILM YEAR: 2020
DURATION: 88 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition
COMPANY: Lifetime Television
RATED: TV-PG
RELEASE DATE: 2020
Directed by Melissa Joan Hart
Written by Aliza Murrieta, Peter Murrieta
Executive Producer: Mickey Gooch, Mark Schulman
Produced by Paula Hart and Mark Roberts
Line Producer: Jemma Jones
Music by Danny Lux
Cinematography by Ryan Galvan
Edited by Rob Pallatina
Production Design by Robert Wise
Costume Design by Sally Kruse
Starring:
Mario Lopez as David
AnnaLynne McCord as Sophie
Paulina Chavez as Noel
Marycarmen Lopez as Marissa Morales
Frankie Quinones as Frankie
Cheryl Freeman as Helen
Rick Najera as Walt
Herb Mendelsohn as Sophie’s father, Willard
David Morales (Mario Lopez), an Arizona high school principal and single dad, has lost the holiday spirit after also losing his wife a few years ago during the Christmas season. Now, David will do anything to avoid Christmas so he moonlights as a delivery driver during the holidays. But this year David’s 14-year-old daughter, Noel (Paulina Chavez), and his live-in sister, Marissa (Marycarmen Lopez) are determined to bring the yuletide spirit back to the family and, with a little luck, also help David find love again via online dating. So when Sophie (AnnaLynne McCord), a witty musician and customer on David’s delivery route, swipes right on him, something magical happens between them.
As I continue on with my holiday film marathon, the third film I am watching is the Lifetime Television holiday film “Feliz NaviDAD”.
The holiday film is directed by Melissa Joan Hart, who is no stranger to the Lifetime holiday telefilms, as she has starred in numerous films and her production company Hartbreak Films (which is a family owned television and film production company owned by Melissa and her mother, producer Paula Hart). The film is also co-produced with ViaMar Productions and Roberts Media Production.
Melissa Joan Hart has starred in a Christmas film nearly every year since she first starred in “The Santa Con” back in 2014 and while she directed “Feliz NaviDAD”, she also makes a short appearance in “Feliz NaviDAD”.
The project reunites Hart with her 2017 holiday film “A Very Merry Toy Store” co-star, Mario Lopez (“Saved by the Bell”, “Acess Hollywood”, “Extra”, “America’s Best Dance Crew”, “The X-Factor”) and also stars AnnaLynne McCord (“American Heiress”, “Nip/Tuck”, “90210”), Paulina Chavez (“Fate: The Winx Saga”, “Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love”), Marycarmen Lopez, Frankie Quinones, Cheryl Freeman, Rick Najera and Herb Mendelsohn.
And before I begin my review, I’m going to come out and say it, that this is one of the better acted/produced Christmas Lifetime holiday films I have watched and the onscreen chemistry between Lopez and McCord is one of the best you’ll see.
Now on to my review of “Feliz NaviDAD”, which revolves around high school principal David Morales (portrayed by Mario Lopez), who is a widower raising his daughter Noel (portrayed by Paulina Chavez) and getting some help with his sister Marissa (portrayed by Marycarmen Lopez).
David is a well-liked principal at school and also wanting to see Noel’s choir success in the upcoming holiday competition.
But for David, he also works as a delivery driver during the holidays. While he tells his family that he is saving money for his daughter’s college education, in truth, he keeps himself busy doing the job, because of the pain he harbors from his wife’s passing, which was around the holiday season.
Meanwhile, Sophie (portrayed by AnnaLynne McCord) is a professional musician visiting her father Willard (portrayed by Herb Mendelsohn), during the holidays. For Willard, anytime he can have his daughter visit him, is a special day and wishes she visits more. Also, a widower, Willard wants to sell his and his wife’s collectibles and Sophie is there to help.
And while waiting on a package, it’s delivered by none other than David (who becomes the delivery driver who tends to take boxes to Sophie and Willard and also pick up their packages. But the interaction between David and Sophie is a bit flirtatious.
Back at home, Noel overhears her father and Marissa talking about why he delivers and she is told the truth. So, Noel and Marissa feel that it’s time that David started dating again.
While hesitant, because it’s been so long, David agrees and sure enough, he goes on his first blind date, who happens to be with Sophie.
But because Sophie is visiting for a short time, while the two are friendly with each other, they decide that their “dates” will be practice dates, so he can get his feet back into dating again, as with Sophie, when she returns back home. But deep inside, both know they have a connection with each other.
For the most part, “Feliz NaviDAD” is a holiday film that works extremely well thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Mario Lopez and AnnaLynne McCord. The way they look at each other, the way they flirt with each other, those small mannerisms, suffice to say these two sizzle onscreen and viewers are instantly captivated.
Another plus is the performance by actress Paulina Chavez. As David’s sole daughter, she is his rock. She also delivers when it comes to the more emotional scenes, the happy scenes and also where she needs to sing.
Another plus, as Lifetime has been progressive in showcasing interracial relationships, LGBTQ couples, people with disabilities, but also of people of color. As the title “Feliz NaviDAD” (which means “Merry Christmas”, but also what Noel calls her father during the holidays, “NaviDAD”), the film incorporates Latino culture to the film. From the interactions with the family, but also a tamale making scene. These are small things that add to a storyline and also uplifting because I know many Latino families in California who also do similar things before the holidays.
While watching “Feliz NaviDAD”, I kept thinking in my head of how cool this film was and how it was one of the better holiday films I have watched. When you can find a couple who interact so well, that it’s believable, as if the connection is quite real, you know you have something special. Mario Lopez and AnnaLynne McCord, definitely have onscreen chemistry and I hope Lifetime considers a sequel to “Feliz NaviDAD”, I personally would love to see David, Sophie and the family back again!
PURCHASE THIS FILM ON AMAZON PRIME
