REVIEW: Self-discovery story ‘A Christmas Prince’ warms hearts

Sofia Abdullina, Staff Writer

Netflix Original “A Christmas Prince” (2017) is a heartwarming holiday love story about two people from different worlds who go through many events of sacrifice to discover the truth.

Set in present day New York City just a few weeks before Christmas, Amber Moore (Rose Mclver) is a determined journalist who is assigned to report on an attractive prince named Richard (Ben Lamb) in Aldovia.

According to the news, Richard is a player with several relationships scandals. After hearing this gossip, Amber traveled all the way to the “Kingdom of Aldovia” to get the scoop.

When she arrived, someone from the queen’s council mistakenly thought that Amber was a tutor for the prince’s sister, Princess Emily (Honor Kneafsey), so Amber plays along, allowing her to investigate and report on Richard.

Throughout Amber’s stay at the beautiful palace, she befriends Emily, who soon finds out the truth about Amber.  As they get to know each other, Amber tries to get an inside scoop from the princess about the real Richard, not the man that is portrayed in the media.

This aspect of the movie represents the kind of person that Amber is: kind, understanding and honest.

Amber falls in love with Richard quickly, which makes their love story a bit cliché. Richard develops feelings for her throughout the film. Mclver and Lamb do an excellent job, and it can be seen from the way they acted that they work well together.

Getting pressured from her boss to write about the royal family’s secrets and scandals, Amber has to choose between her career and protecting the man that she loves.

The movie’s music is joyful, containing many classic Christmas songs. The film’s modern plot twists make it stand out compared to most hallmark Christmas movies. For example, Richard and Amber shared a dance that featured gorgeous, elegant dresses and formal, well put-together suits that added a fairytale mood to the scene.

Some of the movie’s events are slightly predictable and at times cheesy, but the plot, setting and the acting worked well with the overall feel of the movie and never left me bored. It is safe to say that this movie is similar to most Christmas themed films, but who doesn’t enjoy a holiday movie that gets them in the spirit?

“A Christmas Prince” can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a story of romance, friendship, drama and coming to find your true self.