A Dickens of a Holiday!

The film opens in Dickens, Ohio, a town that transforms into Victorian London for its annual 'Dickens Days' festival. Cassie Pruitt, a director who recently returned from New York after a hiatus, is overseeing the 100th-anniversary production of 'A Christmas Carol.' Disaster strikes when the iconic lead, Ray Muller, develops laryngitis and vocal nodules, leaving the production without a Scrooge just days before Christmas Eve. Under pressure from Mayor Givens, Cassie reluctantly calls her former high school classmate, Jake Dorsey, who is now a famous action movie star known for the 'Dunes of Eastlynn' franchise. Jake, feeling pigeonholed in Hollywood and recently rejected for a dramatic role because he lacks 'chops,' sees the play as a chance to prove his acting ability. Upon arriving in Dickens, Jake brings his assistant Ben and faces immediate tension with his brother Craig, who resents Jake for being absent since their mother's death and for sending generic gifts instead of visiting. Cassie works closely with Jake, helping him find the 'inner Scrooge' by focusing on his physicality and his real-life connection to his nephew, Brandon, who plays Tiny Tim. As they spend time together—decorating trees, delivering pies for charity, and taking carriage rides—they address their high school history, including a failed prom invitation. Jake’s performance improves significantly under Cassie’s direction as he learns to tap into his own feelings of isolation. However, a conflict arises when Jake’s assistant records a rehearsal and sends it to Hollywood producers. Jake is offered a meeting for his dream role at a prestigious Christmas Eve party in LA. Cassie, wanting the best for Jake and fearing she is holding him back, 'kicks him off the show' to force him to go. On the night of the play, Cassie prepares to step into the role of Scrooge herself, but Jake returns at the last second, having realized that family and his connection with Cassie are more important than the Hollywood machine. The play is a triumph, Ray Muller regains enough voice for a final 'God bless us every one,' and Jake and Cassie commit to a long-distance relationship, with Jake hiring Ben as his manager and promising to return home more often.