An annual household debate: What makes something a Christmas movie? If airing on Hallmark post-Thanksgiving or starring a singing/dancing Bing Crosby, the genre designation is obvious. But if it merely takes place during the season, does it count? Will it have the same joyous spirit or feel-goodness of “real” Christmas movies?

We decided to tackle the on-the-bubble movies and bring the debate to you.

Christmas clichés:

Evil Corporation
Cute, Precocious Child
Mistaken Identities
Alicia Witt
Charity Work

Our take

NOT a Christmas Movie.

Before any haters come after us, know that we ADORE this movie. Queen Latifah is surprisingly nuanced in her performance, and the message is a universal, feel-good takeaway. It’s the foundational lack of Christmas that drove our decision.

Department-store employee, Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah, playing sweet and demure) desires love and dreams big, but she’s never had the guts to make her possibilities into realities. Her practicality always wins out until a bump-on-the-head leads to a CAT scan—Georgia is diagnosed with Lampington’s Disease and has weeks to live.

Goodbye, practicality. Hello, quitting your job, taking all your money, and “blowing it” during the holiday season.

The movie contains some classic clichés, like the Evil Corporation that basically bribes a Senator or the Mistaken Identities of said CEO/rich group who think Georgia is a mogul. Plus, this might be the first time Alicia Witt makes an Xmas movie appearance—that needs to be acknowledged!

But those clichés can’t outweigh the lack of Christmas. We weren’t counting closely, but we can’t remember if the term “Christmas” was uttered at all. And when Georgia is gallivanting around the Czech Republic, you’ll see twinkle lights and ornaments…but no one bemoans the passing of the season. Instead, we quickly move into New Year’s Eve festivities. Charity Work dinners and poignant speeches occur right before midnight on said holiday. Perhaps this is better classified as a NYE movie, like Jess’s favorite, “When Harry Met Sally”?

Emeril Lagasse isn’t …Santa? and helicopters aren’t Sleigh Rides. But even with these clichés, this movie wouldn’t make the Christmas cut. Solid movie to add to your seasonal watchlist, though.