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| Film Length | 1 Hour 23 Minutes |
| Release Date | December 7, 2024 |
| Advisory Rating | Rated PG |
| Initially Available On/Via | Max |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Romance, Holiday |
| Distributor | OWN |
| Director | Roger M. Bobb |
| Writer | Carmen Elly Wilkerson |
| Character Name | Actor |
| Symone | Michele Weaver |
| Iggy | Nathan Owens |
| Randy | Tim Campbell |
Plot Summary
Symone is a bit stuck in her career. Some of her co-workers, hired after her, have surpassed her, and she can only assume sexism is part of the reason. However, a newbie, a freelancer at that, Iggy, pushes the idea she needs to stand up for herself, especially with her boss, Randy, to get anywhere. But knowing how women, especially Black women, can get a reputation for being difficult, Symone finds herself between a rock and a hard place at work while dealing with personal matters that could cast a shadow over her Christmas.
Character Descriptions
Symone
As a sports journalist with her own athletic background and coming from athletes, Symone wants to not only share her perspective but also highlight stories that she and other women would find interesting.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Christmas of Yes.”
Iggy
Iggy is a bit of a nomad, a side effect of being a military kid. He does freelance camera work and has recently found himself in Detroit. He becomes a bit enamored by Symone and her passion and tries to be encouraging in her life. However, him becoming pushy does cause issues.
Randy
Randy is Symone’s boss, who has seemingly been undermining and downplaying her network, work ethic, and overall talent for years. This has started to really grind Symone’s gears, but since she loves her hometown, venturing to other markets isn’t in her plans.
Other Noteworthy Information
Where To Watch This:- Movie Contains: Drinking
- The distributor is also known for “A Christmas Serenade.”
- The director is also known for “A Christmas Stray.”
Review
Our Rating (78/100): Mixed (Divisive)
While not the best release under the #OWNForTheHolidays brand, nor something I think should have opened the season, there is no denying that “A Season To Remember” still firmly represents OWN as a brand and reminds you how much the culture is missing OWN’s scripted output which is becoming direly needed.
Audience
“A Season To Remember” caters mainly to those who like holiday movies with a touch of drama and a little bit of mystery regarding why one character is keeping a secret. Yet, ultimately, while some problems don’t get resolved, for those who want what could be considered a happy ending, “A Season To Remember” delivers.
Highlights
There Are No Villains
One of the things we’ve come to love about OWN’s holiday movies is there is a notable effort to be different with the type of stories told. While they stick to the usual theme of having to be within a certain income bracket to be focused on, with Symone’s story, one thing that eventually becomes clear is there are no villains. Yes, it is acknowledged that women, Black women specifically, have to work twice as hard as others to get half as far. Also, women are coerced to feel mindful of what they say and whether they offend the wrong person, for it will lead to a bad reputation.
Yet, while acknowledging the tough situations many Black women go through, there is also the push that you have to take some accountability. There is the idea that if you don’t advocate for yourself, who will? And as it becomes clear no one is trying to downplay or undermine Symone, she just fell for the trap of making herself small to remain useful, that becomes the issue.
I love this because in so many movies, holiday or otherwise, a person is the villain, not the culture that creates that person. With “A Season To Remember,” things are different. It isn’t Randy or the current anchor who is the problem, but a culture that makes ambitious women feel hindered from asking for what they want, saying no, and asking, if not demanding, what they deserve.
Personally, this resonated with me since I have long operated on the Zora Neale Hurston quote:
“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”
And throughout our time with Symone, you can see why that quote has resonated long after Hurston’s passing.
Iggy and Symone Are Cute, Not Butterfly Inducing But Cute
Iggy and Symone fit the bill of the lead, having a love interest with whom they have some chemistry. As noted below, is it butterfly-inducing to the point you are invested in their relationship? Not really. It more so checks off a box, and while they are forgettable as a couple, they still give enough for you to enjoy what they offer to one another. Add in Symone gets more out of it than Iggy, and you have something to give a light applause.
On The Fence
It’s Dull
While we can, and have to praise, how “A Season To Remember” handles Symone’s working life, this is a dull movie for the most part. The drama in her household with her family? Because we don’t get to have much, if any, personal connection with her parents or brother, it doesn’t evolve beyond B-Line story drama. Then, with Iggy, it is nice that he drops random facts about himself, but it rarely seems like he evolves beyond being an inevitable love interest.
Does he mention his dreams? Does Iggy talk about his childhood? Yes. But it often feels like, because he becomes so quickly integrated into Symone’s world, he throws out facts to share something of himself so she’ll stay open and become more vulnerable around him.
Also, as much as we may praise the idea there aren’t any villains in the movie, this doesn’t mean there is a real effort at complexity. Her boss, Randy, is someone who wants her to stand up for herself. But this doesn’t explain or excuse him almost exclusively throwing her fluff pieces left and right because no one else will do them. Then, her talking with the anchor who got the job she wanted, and him throwing in he got it because he advocated for himself, and then tossing in he had his own challenges with their boss because he is gay, pushes the feeling that there is a whole other set of conversations that should have been had about their boss and what life is like the more separated you are from being a White male.
But, like recent holiday movies that vaguely address real-world issues, because of the type of film this is, it might be compelled to acknowledge the truth but also sidestep polarizing conversations, for that is not what holiday movies are for or about. Thus, we are left with a rather dull and tame film that has likable qualities but feels ultimately forgettable.
What To Check Out Next (Holiday Movies)
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Rolling Into Christmas (2022) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
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Genie (2023) – Movie Review/Summary
“Genie” may focus on a father’s decline professionally and personally to begin, but once McCarthy shows up, it is no longer about that, and she steals the film.
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Happiest Season – Review/Summary (with Spoilers)
While there might be times Happiest Season may make you roll your eyes, its heart and certain characters keep you watching until the end.
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