Hallmark's 'Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story' Blends NFL Fandom with Romance
The latest installment in Hallmark's collaboration with the NFL features a journalist and a firefighter whose lives intertwine through their shared connection to the Chicago Bears.
Hallmark Channel's annual "Holiday Touchdown" film franchise continues with "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story," a romantic comedy that combines NFL enthusiasm with seasonal cheer. This year's installment, like its predecessors featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, focuses on fans of a prominent football team finding love.
The film stars Lyndsy Fonseca as Avery, a freelance journalist visiting her family in Chicago for Christmas. Initially disconnected from football, Avery's perspective shifts when she learns her mother and stepfather are avid Chicago Bears fans who own a sports bar. Her life intersects with Matt (Robert Buckley), a firefighter, when her work assignment leads her to profile a dedicated Bears fan – who turns out to be Matt's grandmother, Darlene, portrayed by Marsha Mason.
As Avery delves into her assignment, she navigates the deep-seated football culture of Matt's family, contrasting with her own neutral stance. The narrative frames their initial friction as playful banter that blossoms into romance, a common element in Hallmark productions. The film is also noted for featuring a special appearance by Abraham Benrubi as Santa Claus, reprising his role from previous "Holiday Touchdown" movies.
Beyond the central romance, "A Bears Love Story" serves as an homage to the Chicago Bears, the community aspect of football fandom, and the city itself. The review suggests that even non-football fans can appreciate this element, highlighting the film's creation of a welcoming and inclusive community.
The movie includes numerous cameos from Bears players, their families, and team staff, alongside brief appearances from other stars such as Marilu Henner and Tamera Mowry-Housley. These additions are described as enhancing the film's value without being distracting.
Ultimately, "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" is recommended for its chemistry between the leads, its affection for the NFL team, and its appeal to both football and Hallmark movie enthusiasts, offering surprises and Easter eggs for fans of both genres.