A Castle for Christmas Parent Guide

Sophie Brown (Brooke Shields) is a successful author with 12 bestselling novels in 20 years. Having killed off a popular character in her latest novel, she’s now facing protests from her fans and open hostility from the media. Throw in a messy divorce and Sophie realizes that it’s time for a change. Seeking a solitary escape, she heads to Scotland for a visit to the remote Dun Dunbar castle.

It’s love at first sight when Sophie spies the 500 year old stone edifice. Her family has connections to the estate and the castle feels like home to the dispirited author. Learning that the castle is for sale, Sophie impulsively puts in an offer to purchase.

There’s just one catch: Myles, the 12^th Duke of Dunbar (Cary Elwes) doesn’t want to sell but is driven to it thanks to his father’s extravagance and a need to protect the tenants from foreclosure. Desperate for a solution, Myles hatches a plan. He’ll accept the offer but require a 90 day escrow during which Sophie will live in the drafty castle and learn how to run it. Between the castle’s aging infrastructure and its crotchety master, he’s betting that she’ll run away and forfeit her deposit.

Perhaps Myles should have spent more time studying the works of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s beloved poet. His warning is prescient, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft a-gley [oft go astray]”. As Myles gets to know Sophie, it just might be time to change his plans…

Let’s be honest, most romantic dramas are neither clever nor original and A Castle for Christmas is no different. It’s predictable, filled with stock characters with overdone Scottish accents, and ridiculously over-decorated. (Seriously, is the owner of a 500 year old castle with electrical problems going to put Christmas lights and floodlights everywhere? And since when does anyone in the UK decorate with American-style holiday excess?) That said, the movie is sweet without being cloying. Sophie and Myles manage a wee bit of chemistry and the views of the castle and local Scottish scenery are enough to get audiences booking tickets to Edinburgh.

Perhaps the best part of A Castle for Christmas is its implicit messages. In Sophie’s journey, we’re reminded that it’s never too late to change your life’s trajectory. Sophie’s not sure where her new path is going to take her and she’s frightened by the uncertainty. But she’s got courage and sticks to it, eventually forging an exciting life and career. Her friendships with the local residents are a tribute to the power of community and the impact that individuals can have on those around them. This is a story where people have space for second chances and are able to grow in an atmosphere of support, kindness, and love. Frankly, that’s more valuable than any castle, however picturesque it might be.