Watch Chasing Christmas

In the 2005 TV movie Chasing Christmas, Tom Arnold plays Jack Cameron, a man who hates Christmas with a passion. He resents the holiday's commercialization and the pressure it puts on people to be happy and charitable. So when his neighbor, Ghost of Christmas Present (Leslie Jordan), accidentally sends him back in time to relive Christmas Eve over and over again until he learns to appreciate the holiday's true meaning, Jack is understandably freaked out.

At first, Jack tries to take advantage of his time loop by eating and drinking whatever he wants, picking up women, and generally indulging in his most selfish desires. But no matter what he does, he wakes up on Christmas Eve again and again, with the knowledge that he's wasting his life and alienating everyone around him. Not even his long-suffering assistant, Faith (Andrea Roth), can reach him.

As Jack goes through his time-looping trauma, he meets various incarnations of the Ghosts of Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a glam-rock woman named Cindy (played by Karin Konoval), who takes Jack on a tour of his past Christmases--including his parents' divorce and his own failed relationships. The Ghost of Christmas Future is a silent, faceless figure who shows Jack the dark future that awaits him if he doesn't change his ways.

Eventually, Jack realizes that he's been given a gift--the chance to make things right with his estranged family, including his ex-wife Jules (played by Sarah-Jane Redmond) and his daughter Amanda (played by Zahf Paroo). With Faith's help, he starts to make amends and spread some cheer around town. But will it be enough to break the time loop and ensure a merry Christmas for everyone?

Chasing Christmas is a heartwarming holiday movie that both skewers and celebrates the traditions of the season. Tom Arnold gives a surprisingly nuanced performance as the curmudgeonly Jack, who learns the hard way that Christmas is about more than presents and parties. Andrea Roth is charming as Faith, the loyal assistant who believes in Jack even when he doesn't believe in himself. And Leslie Jordan steals every scene he's in as the flamboyant Ghost of Christmas Present, who's more interested in having a good time than in teaching Jack anything.

The movie's special effects are cheesy but effective, with lots of snow, Christmas lights, and swirling ghostly mists. The script, by Todd Berger and Curtis Burch, mixes humor with sentimentality, reminding viewers that even the grumpiest Scrooge can learn to love again if he has the right motivation. Director Ron Oliver keeps the pace brisk and the tone light, making Chasing Christmas a perfect choice for a cozy night in with hot cocoa and a plate of cookies.

While Chasing Christmas isn't exactly a groundbreaking piece of cinema, it's an enjoyable and entertaining holiday movie that's well worth a watch. Whether you're a diehard Christmas fan or a grinch who needs a bit of convincing, this movie has something for everyone. So settle in and get ready for a fun ride through the ups and downs of the holiday season.

Chasing Christmas is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.