'Scouting for Christmas' Divides Critics

         On October 20, 2024, Hallmark Channel premiered 'Scouting for Christmas', which has received a mixed reception from critics. In the film, "A single mom tries to make her daughter's Christmas special since her dad is working overseas for the holidays. She partners with her daughter's favorite baker for the Holiday Ball." The ensemble cast includes Tamera Mowry-Housley and Carlo Marks. Read the full review round-up below.

Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Media and David Strongman

        Liz Kocan of Decider says, Scouting for Christmas does for feminism and women’s unity what Katy Perry thought she was doing for the same cause when she released her video for “Woman’s World” this summer. Okay, that’s harsh, nothing set the women’s movement back more than that video. My point is that Scouting for Christmas spends an inordinate amount of time pitting Angela, a working, busy, single mom, against Den Mother Elizabeth, a stay at home mother who openly pities Angela, fears for Brooklyn’s development, and sneers at anything that’s not rooted in “traditional family values.” The movie might think that it’s winking at these warring women and the values they represent, but it’s just an odd feud that feels manufactured and outdated. And then there’s the romance between William and Angela. While these two characters are portrayed as lovely people and there’s absolutely nothing to dislike about them, there’s just no real chemistry between the actors. Their characters are both so apprehensive and cautious about taking the next step in the relationship that they – and we – really don’t get to know who they are, other than the fact that they’ve both been unlucky in love, dedicated to their work, and really love little Brooklyn." Adding, "While Scouting for Christmas certainly has most of the obvious charms of a Hallmark Christmas movie, the festive holiday backdrop, the likable characters, the boundless hope and optimism of single-parented children, it falls into the unfortunate category as one of the more generic, forgettable entries in the genre."

        TV Line's Mani Bierly notes, "The child matchmaker trope is alive and well. Sunny Scout Brooklyn (Audrey Wise Alvarez) would like her consciously uncoupled mother, busy realtor Angela (Tamera Mowry-Housley), to date again. So, she suggests Angela and sweet baker William (Carlo Marks) partner to pitch him as the caterer for the Sunny Scouts’ holiday ball. Cue cozy meet-ups for menu inspiration and things getting interesting when Angela’s globetrotting archaeologist ex makes it home for the holidays after all."