A Keller Christmas Vacation

Every year we see at least a couple, of not more, holiday gay films; so imagine my surprise when I was wondering how come I did not see anything for 2025. I started doing research and it turns out that no TV channel came up with an exclusive gay theme holiday movie. The only film which had a prominent gay character and storyline was this one, which in its usual style, Hallmark channel makes sure that it is for family viewing (concept of a happy straight family, I guess). I will give broad story but for the scope of my blow, will focus on the gay couple only).

We are introduced to Keller family who are scheduled to leave for a Danube river cruise over Christmas. We are quickly introduced to their 3 children. Oldest son Cal isa football coach is disappointed that the woman he’s been crushing on is moving across the country. He was too late in confessing his feelings. Second son Dylan just proposed to his long term doctor boyfriend William but he neither accepted nor rejected, leaving him very confused on what's going on and finally the daughter Emroy who has been laid off from her job. Eventually they all reunite for the cruise following various events. As this I a happy holiday film, the characters are supposed to find love with Emroy and Cal finding love on the cruise along a series of adventures. One day William also show sup on cruise and Dylan is not sure if they still ok or not. He knows William is hiding something. It also turns out that Keller dad is suffering from Parkinson and that he has decided to take it easy and turns out that this was the secret that William was hiding from Dylan as per dad's request. That misunderstanding is also cleared and they propose each other again over a ferry wheel on Christmas Day. The film has a happy ending.

The film is a typical film in terms of what its target audience is and when it is released. The Christmas cruise from parts of Southern Germany to Salzburg and then Vienna was nicely shot, featuring gorgeous scenes of Christmas markets and picturesque vistas that perfectly captured the festive spirit of the season while highlighting the richness of local customs and traditions.The family is typical where siblings may not talk to each other often but they have each other's back when needed. Hallmark regular Jonathan Bennett plays Dylan as he has been taking up leading gay man roles every year in Hallmark Christmas movies. The real surprise was Brandon Routh (our superman) taking up the role of Cal. William and Dylan have good chemistry with chiseled bodies and faces and a perfect couple who are madly in love but also care deeply when it comes to family values. It’s a comfort to watch characters who are good people getting things they deserve. This film focuses on giving an entire family their happy ending. So, even though not entirely the gay holiday film that I look forward to every year, but we will take what we can get. (5/10)

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