TRASH IN MY EYE No. 51 of 2024 (No. 1995) by Leroy Douresseaux
Hot Frosty (2024) – TV Movie
Running time: 90 minutes
Rated: TV-PG
DIRECTOR: Jerry Ciccoritti
WRITER: Russell Hainline
PRODUCERS: Michael Barbuto, Shane Boucher, and Joel S. Rice; Aren Prupas and Jonas Prupas – executive producers
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Eric Cayla
EDITOR: Julia Blau
COMPOSER: Ari Posner
ROMANCE/COMEDY/CHRISTMAS
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Strause, Dan Lett, Katy Mixon Greer, Sherry Miller, Bobby Daniels, Shiloh Obasi, Sophia Webster, Allan Royal, Jennie Esnard, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson
SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:
--Hot Frosty personifies both the silly scenarios and frothy goodness of Christmas television movies, which should please fans of holiday movies
--Hot Frosty is an ode to the joy of life and to enjoying life – at Christmas time and beyond
Hot Frosty is a 2024 American romantic-comedy and Christmas television film from director Jerry Ciccoritti. The film is a “Netflix Original” and began streaming on the service Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The film focuses on a widow who magically brings a snowman to life as a real man who promptly brings light back into her life.
Hot Frosty introduces Kathy Barrett (Lacey Chabert), who owns and operates Kathy's Kafe in the downtown section of the small town of Hope Springs. The cafe is mainly the focus of her life, and her home life, including her house, is slowly falling apart. Kathy is a widow and she mourns her late husband, Paul, a handyman who kept the house repaired and her heart whole.
It is Christmas time, and Kathy isn't feeling the holiday spirit or cheer. However, some of her friends want to change things. Mel (Sherry Miller) and her husband, Theo (Dan Lett), own and operate a clothing shop, “Reclaimed Rags.” This year, they give Kathy a red scarf, one that is “destined” to help her to seek happiness after her bereavement.
Hope Springs is also in the middle of its “Annual Snow Sculpture Competition.” On her way home one night, Kathy walks by the entries in the snow sculpture competition. One of them is of a seemingly naked, muscular young man. Not feeling the magic of Mel and Theo's red scarf, Kathy drapes it over the sculpture. Later that night, that snow sculpture (called “the Snowman”) comes to life. Calling himself, “Jack” (Dustin Milligan), the suddenly alive snowman finds his way to Kathy. Doubtful at first, she believes that Jack is indeed the snowman upon which she draped the scarf. Before long, his innocence and boundless joy are breaking down the barriers Kathy put up to protect herself. But she soon realizes a painful truth: Jack is doomed to melt.
Lacey Chabert is a former child actress with a long career in film and an even longer career in television, which includes voice-over work. I keep forgetting that she appeared in the original Mean Girls (2004). Now, audiences know Lacey for her near constant presence on the American cable television network, the “Hallmark Channel” and on its sister network, “Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.” In addition to series work, Chabert has appeared in over thirty television films for the network, as of this writing. One of those TV films, Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas (2020), is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.
So about Hot Frosty: Netflix is in the middle of releasing several Christmas-themed films. I don't know if they have done this in previous years, but some of the 2024 releases intrigue me. Hot Frosty immediately caught my attention.
Honestly, I have to admit that I think that Hot Frosty's screenplay, written by Russell Hainline, could be adapted, with a few changes, as a gay-themed romance. Magically bringing an ice sculpture of a muscular man to life and falling in love with him seems like it could be a gay fantasy, gay fan fiction,a gay daydream... or wet dream.
Obviously, Hot Frosty's scenario is preposterous, but this is a Christmas movie. That genre has a lot of leeway so that such films can simply be feel-good and spread Christmas cheer or at least lay down a foundation for that. I have to give director Jerry Ciccoritti credit in assuring that Hot Frosty does have some substance. Basically, the film is the story about two characters. First, there is Jack, an object brought to life by magic, and he really wants to live and to enjoy that life. The tension and conflict in the story comes from the human lead, Kathy, who is just going through the motions of life everyday and who seems disinterested in life. Jack has to show Kathy that she can find love and happiness, again... if she really wants that.
The joy in Hot Frosty is not in its lack of realism or even in its overwhelming nonsensical nature. The joy is in watching Jack discover the joys of life and in turn, showing Kathy that she can enjoy life after loss – in spite of her determination not to enjoy life. I say, “Pshaw!.” the cynicism. Hot Frosty is not a great movie, but it is great entertainment. Dear readers, I can't imagine a Christmas season in which Hot Frosty won't feel like a welcomed warm chocolaty drink.
7 of 10
B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars
Saturday, November 23, 2024
The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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