Being a fan of the Chicago Bears and Hallmark Christmas movies isn’t so different; both offer a sense of predictability. I’ve spent most of my life knowing the Bears would provide fleeting moments of joy, but, in the end, I’d feel let down.
With Hallmark films, I can practically map out the story before it starts: picturesque holiday settings, attractive characters whose jobs never seem to demand too much, and a romantic plot that hits a minor bump about an hour or so in, only to resolve neatly in the end with a chaste kiss.
When Hallmark announced their third NFL movie would be set in Chicago, I was excited. The previous films featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills did a good job highlighting what makes those teams’ fanbases unique.
However, Hollywood sometimes misses the mark when portraying Chicago, so I was a bit apprehensive about what “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story” would reveal about my beloved fanbase. The film premiered on Saturday night on Hallmark. (And don’t worry if you missed it; Hallmark tends to replay their movies throughout the season.)
The plot centers around an out-of-town reporter, Avery, who encounters a Chicago firefighter named Matt. It turns out Matt’s grandmother, Darlene, is a diehard Bears fan on the cusp of attending her 500th game, and Avery is assigned by the Chicago Herald to write a piece about her. Darlene quickly takes on the role of matchmaker too, and, predictably, Matt and Avery fall in love. Overall, I’d give it a solid B+ for representing Bears fandom.
What Hallmark got right about Bears fans
The essence of being a Bears fan: hope and resilience
In the early part of the film, Avery asks Darlene, “Why the Bears?” Darlene provides a thoughtful response, explaining that the Bears embody hope and resilience for their fans. I was in first grade when the Bears won the Super Bowl, and ever since, I’ve found so much joy in being a fan, mainly from sharing game days with family. But, of course, there have been plenty of years filled with heartache, usually linked to the eternal quest for a decent quarterback. Yet, I’ve never thought about not being a Bears fan. It’s just unfathomable to me. Sadly, Darlene hit the nail on the head—being a Bears fan has imparted lessons in hope and resilience that I probably don’t want to fully acknowledge.
Newcomers do get a taste of Jeppson’s Malört
Watching Avery grimace after taking a shot of Malört made me smile. The bitter wormwood-flavored liquor is, well, quite an experience, but Chicagoans take pride in it. Our governor famously had 750 people take shots of it to set a record. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and John Oliver have all faced the challenge of trying it. Any Chicagoan tuning in would surely get a kick out of seeing the yellow-labeled bottle make an appearance.
Nods to Bears players and beloved Chicagoans
We Chicagoans enjoy backing our own, so it was a savvy move for Hallmark to include references to local figures. The film opens with Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” and Marilu Henner, with her unmistakable Chicago accent, pops up multiple times. Henner was born in Chicago, attended the University of Chicago, and originated the role of Marty Maraschino in the original “Grease,” a show that also took place in Chicago before its sunny relocation to Los Angeles. Additionally, Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” plays while Avery bakes cookies with her mom.
Bears fandom unites the city
In the summer months, Chicagoans tend to split into two camps: Cubs fans and White Sox fans. Some people claim to support both, but I can’t bring myself to trust that. During the baseball season, when both teams are performing well, the rivalry can even get a bit heated.
But once September rolls around, it’s all about the Bears. While baseball didn’t come up in the movie, it certainly highlighted how the Bears are our rallying point. Whether you’re from the North Side, South Side, or the suburbs, we’re a Bears city. This was illustrated through the heartfelt support of Darlene, a senior citizen, as well as her friends, a same-sex couple who work at a hardware store (where I happen to get my knives sharpened). Fans of every background and color were seen gathering to cheer on the Bears—that’s who we truly are.
Italian beef doesn’t crunch when dipped
During a family gathering, Avery is served an Italian beef sandwich. While deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs are what we’re known for, Italian beefs—often just referred to as “beefs”—are my personal favorite. If you’re not familiar, an Italian beef is thinly sliced roast beef, cooked in a perfectly spiced jus and served on French bread, sometimes with a medley of giardiniera or sweet and hot peppers.
The sandwich Avery receives is described as dipped, meaning it’s submerged in the jus after preparation, resulting in a delicious, albeit messy, treat. When this happens, the jus can make the bread soggy—crunching is simply out of the question.
Mislabeled food carts in Chicago media
So many movies and TV shows set in Chicago seem to ignore a major reality: we don’t have the same type of food carts that filmmakers love to portray. There aren’t pretzel carts on Michigan Avenue, nor vendors selling hot dogs on State Street. The closest thing we have are ice cream carts during the summer and makeshift stands selling tamales and tacos, but again, that’s not downtown. If you’re fortunate, you might run into Claudio Velez, the Tamale Guy, at a bar. But the typical food carts portrayed? Not a chance.
The reality of reporters’ attire
I often find myself frustrated with how reporters and newsrooms are depicted in movies and TV. We don’t wear suits inside the newsroom. When Avery walked into the Chicago Herald, everyone was dressed as if they were going to work at a law firm. That’s just not accurate—other than perhaps on picture day.
Despite these minor complaints, it was the kind of predictably charming movie that I enjoy from Hallmark, with a generous dose of the city and team I cherish woven in. Here’s hoping Caleb Williams’ Bears have a successful season ahead.
