Christmas. There is something about the holiday and time of year that makes people find joy (even the grinchiest of us). It makes your heart grow a few sizes. Christmas on Duty wasn’t what I expected, but that’s part of what makes it good. The script, the chemistry, and the story draws you in from the beginning and keeps you watching to the end. You are rooting for Blair (Janel Parrish) and Josh (Parker Young).
MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas On Duty is about the magic of Christmas, sure. But it’s about more than that. It’s about overcoming the past, communication and making sure that children have the best Christmas ever.
We open with Blair and Josh being competitive with each other and doing a Marine obstacle course. They are always trying to out do each other, but it’s kinda adorable. Like very cute. The two aren’t supposed to like each other – their fathers are mortal enemies, but they do. Their fathers do not get along and that has been passed down or at least it’s supposed to have been.
Right when you think that we’re going to get romance right from the beginning we we get these two fighting and going their seperate ways over their job that they are taking on. Both are angry and both are bothered. You would think that six years later – when they see each other again they’d be able to move on.
But somethings stay with you.
TEAMMATES
Both have moved on in their lives. Blair is rising amongst the ranks, and so is Josh. He’s transferred to Quantico to be closer to his Dad and sister. He wants to be a part of his nephews life and support his sister. Being present is important.
It’s their competitiveness that lands the two in trouble. They ruined a cake, and made it fly all over the new commander and his wife. Therefore the two have Christmas duty and that means missing Christmas with their families. It’s the last thing that they want to have happen, but there is no way around it. When your commanding officer tells you what to do – you do it.
What shocked me though was when Josh talked to his sister and found out that a lot of kids weren’t getting their toys due to the weather, he wanted to hit the stores to find them. So the two go to get permission to go off the base to get the toys that aren’t getting to the military families. I didn’t think that Josh would turn out to have the biggest heart filled with so much love – but he did.
BLAIR IS COMPLICATED
Blair did also, but it was not as obvious. She was more guarded, but Josh brought it out of her and that was something that I think that she needed. Something that we all need at times. We forget that there is a reason that all of these traditions, stories, and adventures mean so much. Blair had her traditions with her father, but she definitely seemed more guarded against the simple things that Christmas brings after the loss of her Mom.
And I get that.
The adventures that are had are fun to watch because of Parrish and Young. The two have a great on screen chemistry and it makes for ease of loving their characters, but also an ease of following the story. They bring their characters to life somewhat flawlessly, reminding us that there are good people in the world, willing to go above and beyond.
IN THE END
You wouldn’t think that gathering Christmas presents could be entertaining—but you’d be wrong. It’s the mishaps and little adventures that make you laugh, and the unexpected moments of vulnerability that truly draw you in. At times, I felt like I was watching a modern-day Romeo and Juliet set during Christmas in the military, but I realized I was overthinking it. In the end, this was simply a film meant to capture the warmth and joy of the holiday spirit—and it absolutely succeeded.
Because of the weather, the two don’t make it back on time, and that ends up getting them into trouble. Blair takes the blame, and I couldn’t help but want to jump through the screen and tell them both to open their eyes—their feelings for each other are obvious. Either one of them would have taken the fall to protect the other’s career, and that loyalty says it all.
BACK TO BASE
When they finally make it back to base, Blair still has one more gift to find. She asks her father to dig out an old toy train—one that holds special meaning for Josh’s nephew. At first, she doesn’t tell him who it’s for because of the long-standing family rivalry. But her intentions are pure; she simply wants every child to experience the joy that Christmas brings. In the end, it’s not just about giving—it’s about the comfort of tradition and the happiness the season brings to her own heart as well. And Josh’s.
When the two fathers talk, they find that their long standing disagreement was all about miscommunication. That miscommunication had led to years of resentment and they were able to find a resolution.
All of the kids didn’t have their presents under the tree on time and that is heartbreaking, but it is endearing when the two deliver gifts and the kids see Santa and his elf at their door.
Overall, Christmas on Duty is a heartwarming story filled with love, joy, and the spirit of Christmas. That’s always something to celebrate.
