Quality Entertainment
These days it seems difficult to find a quality movie that’s worth going to the theater and spending money on, especially considering that we have so many viewing options right from the comfort of our own homes.
This time of year in particular television offers an abundance of Christmas movies, so many in fact that I am sure most people don’t bother seeking them out at the theater. However, many of the televised Christmas movies feature recycled plots, making us feel as if we have seen them over and over again.
Only a select few seem to break through the mold and offer something truly inspiring.
Christmas on the Coast
A few weeks ago as I was mindlessly scrolling through my Facebook feed I noticed an ad for a new movie called Christmas on the Coast starring Julie Ann Emery and Burgess Jenkins.
I interviewed Emery, who grew up in a town not far from mine, in 2014 before the premiere of Better Call Saul.
As for Jenkins, I remembered his work as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, so naturally this movie piqued my interest.
Christmas on the Coast opened on December 1st in Emery’s hometown of Crossville, TN, the same town that named her grand marshal of their Christmas parade a few years prior.
This was the night I chose to attend the screening.
Christmas on the Coast is a heartwarming film about a successful romance novelist named Drucinda Cassadine (Emery).
Originally from Harbor Pointe, a small town in South Carolina, Drucinda, or Dru, as she is called, finds herself in a career slump. Readers, critics, and even her publisher have become disillusioned with her stories.
Much like her own life, the characters in her books have become predictably boring, their lives devoid of any real romance or love. So with the advice of her agent, Dru heads back home to try to find some inspiration and revive her dying career.
Though both Dru Cassadine and Julie Ann Emery are successful women from small southern towns, the similarities largely end there.
Opening Night
When Christmas on the Coast opened Friday night at the Rocky Top 10 theater in Crossville, TN, a Q&A with Emery had been scheduled following the movie.
I had no idea what to expect.
I assumed Emery would stand on stage after the film and answer various questions from the audience for an allotted amount of time.
I was only partially right because it turned out to be much more than that.
An Unexpected Act of Kindness
I arrived at the theater a little earlier than necessary, unsure of how big the crowd would be.
When I went to purchase my tickets I was told there was no charge.
I later found out that this was due to the generosity of an actor by the name of Daniel Knight. According to Emery, Mr. Knight “paid for a block of tickets for premiere night so folks could attend no charge.”
While I do not know his exact reasons for this kind gesture, it warms my heart that there are still people in this world willing to do things for others without expecting anything in return.
Fanfare
Just outside the auditorium Emery was signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking with everyone who approached her.
I should mention that her husband Kevin Earley, an actor himself, graciously helped with all of the picture taking.
The mutual love and respect between Emery and Crossville was undeniable
The theater was filled with people who had known and loved Emery her whole life, well before she became a successful actress.
Unlike Dru’s relationship with Harbor Pointe, the mutual love and respect between Emery and Crossville was undeniable.
During the Q&A, Emery mentioned how excited she was to bring Christmas on the Coast to Crossville because she knew everyone would love it.
It was obvious that everyone did indeed love the film. Even more evident was the love they have for her.
Members of her family, who were seated just to my left, hung on her every word throughout the film.
It was really quite remarkable to see.
A Cut Above
The film itself is also quite remarkable and features a stellar cast. I was particularly pleased to get a rare glimpse of Emery’s comedic skills, something that I hope we will get to see much more of in the future.
As for Burgess Jenkins, we really didn’t get to see what he is capable of during his time on The Young and the Restless.
Though I never would have pictured him and Emery as an onscreen couple, this movie proves that we have just scratched the surface of his talent.
I was particularly impressed with actress Cait Pool, whose work I wasn’t familiar with before this movie.
She effortlessly stood toe to toe with everyone she shared a scene with, stealing those scenes in some cases. Needless to say I expect to see big things from her in the future.
Final Thoughts
Even though Christmas on the Coast is only appearing in select theaters for now I really hope people will go out and support it because these are the types of films that are needed.
We are exposed to so much darkness and cynicism on television, film, and quite frankly the news, it’s refreshing to see something uplifting once in a while.
Ultimately I think these are the films most people will gladly pay to see.
More Information
Christmas on the Coast will be playing at the Rocky Top 10 in Crossville, TN through Dec. 7th. For ticket information and scheduling visit their website at rockytop10.com
For more information on Christmas on the Coast including where you can see it, go to christmasonthecoastmovie.com