The Magnolia State returns to the spotlight in the latest Christmas movie streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
“The 12 Dates of Christmas” was filmed primarily in Clinton, and now anyone can watch it and catch glimpses of local spots in the Olde Town Depot neighborhood. The romantic comedy features former “Pretty Little Liars” co-stars Lucy Hale and Ian Harding, reuniting the actors from the hit television series.
Another big name in the movie is Paul Ben-Victor, best known as Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos in the hit HBO series “The Wire” and recently as Antaan in “Lanterns.” Ben-Victor plays the father of the film’s main character, Christina Walker (Hale).
The Clinton-set film follows Christina, a successful business owner, who feels it’s time to put herself out there and find her “Mr. Right.” To remedy her single life, she goes on 12 dates in the 12 weeks before Christmas to find her special someone by the holiday. As she navigates a series of less-than-appealing dates, Peter Grant (Harding) remains never far from Walker’s mind, even as he seems out of reach.
Throughout the movie, Walker and her best friend, Molly, are often seen discussing her love life at Walker’s shop, “Happy Home,” coffee in hand from real-life Jackson-area coffee shop Cups Espresso Cafe. When Walker goes on these less-than-satisfying dates with guys who each have very apparent character flaws, they visit Clinton restaurants like The Bank by Pizza Shack, 303 Jefferson, and Los Parrilleros Mexican Grille.
All of the businesses have the same facade and name in the film, and the filmmakers didn’t stop at just restaurants. For three of the dates, Walker makes stops at Olde Towne Clinton staples like Coach’s Creamery, The Cupboard Gifts and Interiors, and The Spring Nutrition. Also spotted in the film are Olde Towne Barre and Wyatt Waters Gallery.
The film became available to stream on Nov. 6.
