Only the Bills could get me to watch a Hallmark movie

I have never watched a Hallmark movie before this past week. I know I subscribe to the "give everything a chance" mindset, but there are many more things I would rather watch than a sappy, cheesy, poorly acted, predictable love story. Then they filmed one in Buffalo (sorta) and put Bills players in it. So, out of obligation to my city, I watched "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story."

Morgan Quinn (Holland Roden) and Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario) work together to identify who has been sending gifts to Morgan's uncle, Tommy (Joe Pantoliano), every year for decades. 

I was impressed with the Bills players in this. When I heard they were going to be in the movie, I assumed there would be dull, stilted line delivery. It was not that bad. I am not saying they should quit their day jobs, but I have seen actual actors do much worse in movies before. 

I will also give the movie credit for being different from (what I assume) every Hallmark movie is like: boy and girl meet, stuff happens, they fall in love. Using the mystery of who is sending the gifts is a clever way to make these two spend time together. My only real complaint is that Gabe has been in love with Morgan for years, and everyone seems to know it (except Morgan). Take that out and have them fall in love over the course of the investigation, and the movie would have been a little better. 

Now, let's get to my biggest problems with this movie. As far as being a "Bills Love Story," it is just plug-and-play. They included references to Buffalo and the Bills in the script, but they could have easily substituted any other team, and not much would have changed. This point is underscored by last year's "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story" (which makes this movie feel less special). Those references felt shoehorned in to justify making the movie about the Bills. 

Then there is the "filmed in Buffalo" thing. This is more a matter of personal preference than a legitimate criticism, so take it with a grain of salt. Yes, they did film at a studio in Buffalo (that is a big deal), but the city is barely featured. I will give them Orchard Park. It is where the stadium is, and where the main character's family lives. But Morgan and Gabe spend a lot of time at Vidler's in East Aurora. Not sure anyone outside of East Aurora would consider that "Buffalo." There are some great shots of downtown Buffalo, but none of the action takes place in the City of Buffalo. 

4/10

Rated TVG

1h 27m