In Netflix’s “Best. Christmas. Ever!”, directed by Mary Lambert, the holiday spirit extends beyond the Christmas trees, presenting a festive comedy that explores the impact of jealousy on friendships through a vibrant cast of characters. The story unfolds as Charlotte and her husband Rob receive their friend Jackie’s annual newsletter, portraying the seemingly perfect achievements of her family. However, this triggers feelings of inadequacy in Jackie, setting the stage for a cascade of events.
A navigation mishap on the way to Charlotte’s sister’s house brings her family unexpectedly to Jackie’s doorstep just days before Christmas. Snowed in together, Charlotte seizes the opportunity to investigate whether Jackie’s life is as idyllic as it appears. As Charlotte delves into Jackie’s marriage, home, and career, she succumbs to the green-eyed monster of jealousy.
Ultimately, both women discover that the true essence of the holiday season transcends material possessions and external appearances, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of friendship. While “Best. Christmas. Ever!” may not claim the title of the best Christmas movie of all time or even among the best on Netflix, it offers a blend of humor, poignancy, and valuable life lessons on forgiveness, gratitude, and appreciating the intangible joys in life.
Heather Graham takes on the role of Charlotte Sanders, portraying a character whose holiday season is marred by envy, almost jeopardizing Christmas for her family due to her feelings of inadequacy. Graham skillfully depicts how jealousy can steal joy and illustrates Charlotte’s journey toward understanding that even those seemingly perfect like Jackie face their own challenges. With a career spanning over three decades, Heather Graham has left her mark on various films and television shows, including Twin Peaks, Boogie Nights, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Stand, and The Hangover.
Brandy Norwood portrays the character of Jackie Jennings in the film, embodying a persona filled with effervescence and positivity that masks the underlying pain of losing her eldest son. Jackie serves as a poignant reminder that even those who appear to have everything figured out are still navigating life’s challenges, emphasizing the importance of checking in on strong friends. Brandy Norwood, renowned for her success as an R&B and hip-hop singer in the ’90s and ’00s, boasts a collection of accolades, including a Grammy and American Music Award. Her versatile career also extends to film, with notable appearances in productions such as “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and the popular TV show “Moesha.”
Playing the role of Jason Briggs, Charlotte’s husband and a supportive father to their two children, is portrayed by Jason Briggs. While Rob is more of a dreamer than his wife, compromising his career as an inventor to work as an engineer at a practical company, he aspires to one day dedicate himself to full-time house renovations. Briggs is widely recognized for his contributions to teen comedies, notably the American Pie film series, and has made appearances in “Orange is the New Black” while also lending his voice to Leonardo in the 2012 production of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
The character of the hunky Valentino, Jackie’s physically fit husband, is brought to life by Matt Cedeño. Whether swaggering around the house in gym attire or donning the perfect rugged ensemble to cut down a Christmas tree, Valentino and Jackie achieve early retirement after selling their aviation company. Cedeño, transitioning from male modeling, gained prominence through roles in soap operas like “Days of Our Lives” (1995-2005) and “Ruthless.” His recent endeavors include participation in the horror comedy series “Z Nation.”
Wyatt Hunt takes on the role of Grant Sanders, a precocious young boy whose sole companion is a monkey. Grant’s endearing quest to uncover the truth about Santa Claus adds a charming dimension to the film’s narrative. In addition to “Best. Christmas. Ever!,” Hunt has made appearances in productions such as “Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses,” the dramatic series “Dopesick,” and “The First Lady.”
Abby Villasmil portrays Dora Sanders, a character with a fervent passion for Marvel comic books that concerns her parents. Fortunately, her vivid imagination, which contrasts with Beatrix’s practical mindset, becomes a source of appreciation for her parents. Abby Villasmil’s credits also include “The Graduates,” set for release this year.
Madison Skye Validum embodies the character of Beatrix Jennings, Jackie’s exceptionally gifted daughter. According to Jackie’s newsletter, Beatrix gained admission to Harvard at the age of ten, displaying not only an air of knowing everything but also a determination to convince Grant and Dora that Santa Claus is not real. Despite being a relative newcomer to the acting scene, Validum made her debut in “Ivy + Bean” last year and, in addition to “Best. Christmas. Ever!,” is slated to appear in “Dashing Through the Snow” as part of the 2023 holiday season.