25 days of Christmas | A Christmas Princess (2017)

Donaly Marquez is a lucky girl. She does well in school, has great friends, a mum and dad that love her, and a little brother and sister she gets along well with. There was a time, however, when she wasn't so lucky, that was before her mum and dad adopted her and her siblings when she was a little kid.

Donaly had a rough start in life. Her mother was an addict, and prior to her adoption, she had never really had a true family Christmas. There was no tree in their house. The kids used to hang their own socks in a drawer, but the socks were always empty on Christmas morning, and there wasn't much to look forward to.

Back then Donaly's favourite thing to do around Christmas time was watching the Royal Rose Court Tournament on the telly, a competition that selected a few bright and promising young ladies from local high schools and crowned them as princesses, after which the girls attended a myriad of social functions and events aimed at inspiring other young women in the area to pursue their dreams. Donaly dreamed of being one of the princesses one day, and now that she's a senior in high school she is finally old enough to enter the competition. The problem is that Donaly is insecure. After all... Girls like her aren't meant to be princesses.

This movie was not what I expected at all. At first, I thought it would be another common-girl-becomes-a-royal story. Pretty soon I realized it wasn't like that at all, and started dreading the thought that it would be "just another sad story". However, it turned out to be pretty cool. It's a different spin on the theme of "Christmas and Royalty", which I always appreciate.

The movie is set in southern California, so there's that too... It's a different type of Christmas from what we usually see, with no snow, or large coats and scarves... But there were Christmas trees, and presents, and a beautiful scene with the whole family around the table, getting ready to carve a huge Christmas turkey.

There's an overall theme of finding family that's very much in keeping with the spirit of the Holidays. And it's a story of success... The movie is based in a real girl, Donaly Elizabeth Marquez, who grew up as a foster kid and eventually rose to the position of princess in the court of the Tournament of Rose Parade. This movie doesn't overwhelm you with Christmas melodies or decorations, but it definitely nails the message. A good addition to this year's marathon. 

No Fantasy country this time... It's just a different type of royal court in California. 

Princess Donaly

Well, the princess is a high school student, so it's fitting that Trent, her friend turned boyfriend is a high schooler as well. But he is tall, incredibly cute and has musical talents so... way to go girl ;)

I loved the stockings on the fireplace, behind the father in one of the best scenes in the movie... They had added meaning because of the poor "stockings" Donaly had to make do with when she was really little. 

 The family together around the table, getting ready to carve that huge turkey

This isn't really a romantic movie... But Trent listening to Donaly when she needed and then inviting her to go with him to the Christmas dance was pretty awesome. 

The most heartfelt moment in the film was undoubtedly the conversation Donaly has with her dad, near the end, when she was wrapping up presents, near their Christmas tree. Dad came in, sat beside her and they talked about.. about the meaning of family, and her fear that they were going to be sent away again at some point... It was beautiful to watch. 

A Christmas Princess | USA | 2017 | Direction: Allan Harmon | Screenplay: Tracy Andreen | Cast: Nicole Muñoz, Rosa Blasi, Zak Santiago