The Christmas Decoy is a feel-good romance with humor and a definite Hallmark movie vibe, set in a US small town during the Christmas season.

Jeff Wilkins is a hotel owner preparing for the Christmas rush. To help over the holiday season, he hires his sister and her friend, Mia. His problem is that Mia has had a crush on him since they were kids. But he hates her for her hyper annoying giddiness, at least as he sees it. So he also hires his best friend, Allen, to "decoy" Mia away from him by pretending to be interested in her. Allen is smart and the owner of an Internet-based business, but he's also a complete introvert. He is reluctant to do this for Jeff, but gives in to bribes.

The movie's plotting is tight, staying true to the conventions for a holiday romance. So traditional values of family and community form the story baseline. The Christmas holiday itself is in evidence by decorations, especially in the interior shots. Otherwise, the Christmas holidays are a device for the story rather than a primary focus. That might seem different if the movie is viewed within the Christmas season. The only overtly holiday virtue expressed is in the little "subplot" about the homeless man, which is a nice accent to the story.

The "decoy" aspect of the story is a slant on a romantic triangle and not unexpected in how it unfolds. Stephen Fisher gives an overly gesticulated performance of the hotel owner and out-of-touch-with-his-feelings friend whose plan for avoiding Mia drives the story. He is also a comic relief. While he does execute his pivotal role, his scene reading the book at the end is probably his best moment in the film.

John Allen as Allen Bontrager is an introverted, dour counterpoint to Jeff's extrovert. Actor Allen does well staying true to character Allen's reserve. He is believable in the part, so he seems to understand introversion, or at least was well-directed. Allen (the character) is also totally honest, underscoring the values aspect of the movie and driving the turning point toward climax.

Hope Harvard as Mia Barrett is "giddy" enough to be believable as the crush Jeff would sooner not deal with. Her evolution from hopeful crush to realized romance is evident in Harvard's performance, though there is a certain lacking of heat in her relation to both Jeff and Allen. It may be enough for a faith-based film. Even so, the evolution of the romantic relationships is definitely there.

Where this movie really shines is in the musical score. It is traditional, public domain, Christmas music, freshly arranged to provide mood for the movie scenes. That mood-providing is well done, including some rock versions of holiday music, channeling the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Music is used effectively in a couple of moments to express character feelings. We see both Allen and Mia bursting spontaneously into singing outpourings of holiday cheer. Then their individual renditions of Angels We have Heard on High meld, echoing the evolutionary melding of their relationship.

The Christmas Decoy was written and directed by Colin Williams for Fisher Films. He also served as Music Supervisor, arranging most of the musical score. He wore a lot of hats as he shot the film in the small South Carolina towns of Newberry and Lexington, using locals in supporting cameos and crowd scenes.

The film is a short run, barely exceeding ninety minutes in length--a cute, romantic, humorous, serving of holiday sweets.

The holiday romance subgenre combines elements of romantic storytelling with the festive atmosphere of the holidays. These movies often center around characters who experience love and romance during winter holiday seasons, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, or other cultural and religious celebrations. The plots typically involve themes of love, relationships, and the magic of the holiday season.

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The romantic comedy subgenre, also known as "rom-com", feature romantic relationships and interactions between characters while incorporating elements of humor and comedic situations. These stories blend the emotional journey of falling in love with lighthearted and funny scenarios, creating an entertaining and feel-good experience for the audience.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The holiday genre features winter holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, or other cultural and religious celebrations. These stories often capture the spirit, traditions, and emotions associated with these special times, making them ideal for seasonal viewing. The holiday genre can further branch into subgenres like holiday comedy, holiday romance, and holiday family.

James Stewart, Donna Reed, Beulah Bondi, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, and Thomas Mitchell in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

A socially awkward man is bribed by his narcissistic best friend to run interference with a woman who won't leave him alone during the holidays. The Christmas Decoy is a rom-com full of mischief, mismatched intentions, and holiday heart.

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