12 Men of Christmas 2009

E.J. Baxter, Kristin Chenoweth, is a headstrong and popular New York City publicist who appears to have the perfect life: a beautiful condo, a loving fiancé, a top-notch job, and an excellent boss. Yet her world shatters at a festive office party when she discovers Noah, Peter Mooney, in an affair with her boss, Lillah, Heather Hanson. The revelation not only ruins the engagement but also leaves E.J. nursing a bitter mix of anger and disappointment as she cracks Lillah’s expensive Gucci pump and watches her life pivot in an instant.

With nowhere to turn in the city and the holidays looming, E.J.’s sister Roz, Erin Dilly, steps in with a hard truth and a bold push. Roz suggests a fresh start, sending E.J. to Kalispell, Montana, to try a yearlong job offer designed to bring in corporate retreats. The move sounds like a contradiction to everything E.J. values, but the chance to reinvent her career—and perhaps herself—pulls her forward.

In Kalispell, the reality is quieter and more practical than E.J. expected. Her assignment turns out to be at a modest Chamber of Commerce bureau, a far cry from the glamorous hustle of New York, with no secretaries or big offices in sight. Her only bright spot is her cheerful co-worker, Jan Lucas, Anna Chlumsky, who welcomes E.J. with warmth and a wry New England-esque sense of humor. To deepen their bond, Jan invites E.J. to a town barbecue where the community raises funds to equip the Kalispell Search & Rescue team. There, E.J. meets Dr. Marci Hempel, Chantal Perron, and Eric, Jefferson Brown, two key members who explain how the rescue group survives on a blend of events—triathlons, pancake breakfasts, bake sales, and other efforts. Marci explains that the money matters: if they don’t meet their goals, tourists might drift toward flashier locales like Idaho or Aspen, and Kalispell could lose its footing.

E.J.’s publicist instincts kick in as she heads to a chalet owned by a former client, Robert Lazaar, to photograph a pitch that will lure CEOs for corporate getaways. It’s there she runs into Will Albrecht, Josh Hopkins, who is openly arrogant and unapologetically blunt, a dynamic clash that immediately fuels tension between them. The next day, Jan and E.J. receive a local calendar that captures the ordinary beauty of Kalispell—calendar idea still feels dull to Jan, who suspects E.J. is chasing something more ambitious than a simple fund-raiser. Yet the spark in the room is undeniable, and E.J. unveils a bold plan to raise money by featuring half-naked men in a calendar, a tongue-in-cheek concept meant to attract attention and cash for the rescue squad. The idea meets initial resistance, notably from Will, and the town’s gruff pragmatism contrasts with E.J.’s frantic drive, but Jason Farrar, Stephen Huszar, comes to her defense and starts a short-term relationship with her, giving E.J. someone who understands her improvisational approach to life and work.

As the push for the calendar gains momentum, Will’s stubbornness begins to erode. E.J. gradually wins him over, even as he remains wary of being used as a publicity tool. The two form an uneasy alliance, sharing moments of humor and danger that reveal a deeper chemistry than either expected. Their bond deepens during an abseiling party, where Will dares E.J. to take the plunge. Midway down, she hesitates and clutches the rope, and Will steps in as her guide and confidant. The moment of vulnerability loosens her guard, and Will’s confession—his awkward honesty about his feelings—lands with an unexpected tenderness. E.J.’s heart softens, and she begins to see a future where Kalispell isn’t a temporary stop but a place to belong. The calendar project proves surprisingly successful, bringing attention and sponsorship to the rescue squad, and Kalispell’s streets fill with curious tourists and hopeful locals who rally around their community.

Meanwhile, a shift occurs in the behind-the-scenes alliances. Jason finds a new job and relocates to Chicago with his boss and Kerry Kendall, a move that creates distance but also a sense of possibility for E.J. Yet Will’s presence remains a heartbeat in the town’s rhythm, and he becomes a steady, if reluctant, anchor for E.J.’s new life. When news spreads that E.J. might return to New York, a mixture of fear and longing flashes across their faces, and the fragile balance threatens to tilt toward parting ways. Still, a deeper pull grounds E.J. in Kalispell, pushing her to confront what she truly wants.

The turning point comes when E.J. is reminded of Will and the friends she’s made in Montana while she’s back in New York for a major business conference. An emergency call from Kalispell arrives: Will has suffered a severe fall from a mountain and is in Kalispell Regional Hospital. E.J. rushes back to be by his side, and a tense moment follows in which the hospital’s uncertainty gives way to a surprising, almost cinematic return. Will, presumed lost at first, surfaces in a profound moment of connection, and the two share a long-awaited embrace and a kiss that seals their bond. The emotional arc culminates in a decision to build a life together in Kalispell, surrounded by the friends they’ve made and the community that now feels like home.

In the end, what began as a professional assignment and a chance for reinvention becomes a true homecoming. E.J. and Will choose to stay in Montana, finding belonging in a place that tested them, challenged them, and ultimately gave them a second chance at happiness. Their partnership—with Jan, Marci, Eric, Jason, and the others—speaks to a broader theme: that love and purpose can be found in the most unexpected corners of the map, and that the right people can turn a tentative detour into a lasting destination.