‘Hot Frosty’: I am captivated by a film about a woman who falls in love with a snowman. Embrace it.
Among all the men I’ve loved (somewhat regrettably), the one made of snow doesn’t even come close to being a worry for me. Netflix has brought me my newest obsession with their whimsical holiday romantic comedy “Hot Frosty.” No matter how absurd the storyline seems, there’s truly no justification for dismissing this film.
Picture this enchanting winter setting where Lacey Chabert (the most “fetching” actress from “Mean Girls”) takes on the role of Kathy, a diner owner. Kathy’s life has been tough: she lost her husband to cancer, hasn’t dated since then, and her house is falling apart since her husband used to handle repairs. After receiving a magical scarf from a friend who owns a thrift shop, Kathy decides to put it on a remarkably lifelike snowman. Mirroring the classic song “Frosty the Snowman,” this character comes to life. But instead of “two eyes made out of coal,” Jack, played by Dustin Milligan, boasts steel abs.
This snowman, named Jack, is a charming mix of the character from “Meet Joe Black” and the mermaid from “Splash.” He excitedly discovers life’s wonders for the first time and learns handyman skills by watching television.
The storyline may seem unusual at first. Even Chabert had her reservations. “I loved the concept,” she admitted in an interview. “But I initially thought, ‘Oh, dear, is this going to be just silly?’ ” However, a few pages into the script, she found it to be “full of heart.”
When I first heard about the plot of “Hot Frosty,” I remained unfazed. Why? Because as Kate McCallister famously said in my favorite holiday film “Home Alone,” Christmas is “the season of perpetual hope!” During Christmas, anything is feasible! Think about a child defending his family’s extravagant home from burglars using Micro Machines and a tarantula. Or the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future transforming the heart of a miser (“A Christmas Carol”). Or an angel helping a man appreciate the beauty of his life (“It’s a Wonderful Life”).
Consider the season’s origins. Children are told that Santa, riding a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, can deliver toys worldwide in a single night. As a Christian, I also believe in the miraculous virgin birth of a savior.
Christmas truly inspires belief, and I wholeheartedly accept all of it. I firmly believe that this season brings out the best in humanity and I am optimistic about the endless possibilities of the coming year. Thus, I can certainly entertain the idea of a woman falling madly in love with a snowman for 92 minutes.
Kathy’s friend Dottie (Katy Mixon Greer), a physician, articulates the film’s sentiment perfectly.
“Look, everything about Christmas − Santa, elves, flying reindeer − the scientist in me knows they shouldn’t be real,” Dottie observes. “But wouldn’t the world be a little nicer if they were?”
Similarly, Jack, despite being sensitive to warmth, is genuinely lovable. He’s not only charming but also helpful, thoughtful, and eager to embrace every moment. “I don’t know what’s happening any more than you do,” Jack tells Kathy. “I could wake up tomorrow and be a puddle. So, I just want to make the most of the time that I have while I’m here.” Isn’t that a lesson for us all?
“He might be a snowman and not a human − that’s something you uncover as the story unfolds,” Chabert hints. “But the bond they develop becomes a significant source of healing for my character.”
Milligan shares his thoughts on the allure of holiday films, stating, “What I love about Christmas movies is that they invite you to momentarily set aside reality and embrace the magic, warmth, love, unity, and community. Wouldn’t letting a little magic into our lives be a bad thing?”