GAF Star Jesse Hutch Opens Up About Lifestyle of Faith

Published: November 30, 2023

GAF Star Jesse Hutch Opens Up About Lifestyle of Faith

By Movieguide® Staff

Jesse Hutch, star of HOMESTEAD and PROJECT BLUE BOOK, recently starred in a holiday movie from Great American Pure Flix, A CHRISTMAS BLESSING.

While Hutch is known for his roles in a variety TV and series, the actor said that he hopes this latest Christmas movie will encourage others to be a blessing to those around them.

Hutch stars alongside Lori Loughlin and James Tupper, but he said that his role as Otto is unique from his past holiday movies.

“I love to sort of preface the whole movie with the fact that I’m not the romantic lead,” Hutch told Movieguide® in a recent interview. “That actually makes it quite exciting, I think, because people are so used to me being the guy. It’s just such a different perspective and a different approach, that I think people are really going to enjoy it.”

A synopsis of the movie reads: “In [A CHRISTMAS BLESSING], renowned TV star Mandy Gilmore (Loughlin) says goodbye to her hit culinary series, A World of Food, with plans to travel the globe dining in all 142 Michelin star restaurants. Before jetting to Paris, Mandy stops in Milwaukee with the deed to her deceased aunt’s food pantry, Angel’s Fare, recently purchased by adjacent business owner, Adam Carraway (Tupper). A simple transaction. Until pantry volunteer, Otto Nessen (Hutch) reminds all that Aunt Susie’s love of cooking was truly love of feeding and inspires one more holiday feast for those who need it most. Haul out the holly! For we need a little Christmas now.”

“I’m excited for people to watch it,” Hutch added of the movie. “I think people are going to smile, they’re going to chuckle, maybe cry a little bit. You know, it’s got all the feels.”

Hutch said that playing Otto reminded him that to be supportive and helpful, listening should be a priority.

“I’m a character that doesn’t always have to say something, but always has something to be present in,” he explained. “Listen to people. I think this character is very purposeful, and so I felt just challenged to find that purpose.”

The actor added that he hopes the movie can act as a reminder for audiences to be a blessing to those around them with Christmas right around the corner.

“How do you be a blessing for Christmas? How can you bless somebody? That could be your time, it could be just listening to somebody, it could be a maybe a financial blessing, maybe it’s giving of your servitude, you know, maybe you need to help somebody move or decorate,” he said. “I feel like this movie has that. It’s like, every character has a realization that they actually can be more of a blessing than they even thought they could.”

“I think some people sell themselves short, right?” he added. “They go, ‘I don’t have anything to offer.’ I think this film will encourage everybody to go, ‘Hey, I have something to bring to the table.’ So just find that and share it with somebody because you can change somebody’s life simply by even sharing your hard stuff. You’re not alone, don’t think that you’re the only person who’s going through whatever you’re feeling right now, you’re not the only one who has ever felt that throughout history.”

Throughout his career, Hutch said that Faith has remained the one constant in his life.

“I think faith is for me, is always an ongoing lifestyle, it’s a choice. It’s being open to learn, it’s being willing to be wrong,” he said. “That is the basis that I springboard everything off of. It’s the only constant that’s been in my life since I was young, that doesn’t just change its opinions and its ideas because I feel different. It doesn’t change because of today’s politics. It doesn’t change because of my circumstance, whether it’s great or challenging or horrible. It’s a constant that is always coming at me. And I apply that to my everyday life—running into strangers, my work, my marriage, my finances, raising my kids.”

“It’s always there. It’s always kind of this guiding star, so to speak,” he continued. “I believe that God wants us all healed. I believe that we weren’t created to live in just this, just muddy, horrible disaster. You know what I mean? Yes, we all go through that, and that’s life, but, man, there’s, there’s something great on the other side of that mess. So just keep on going. Don’t give up.”

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING is available to stream on Great American Pure Flix.

A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING on the Great American Family network stars Lori Loughlin. Lori plays Mandy Gilmore, a TV chef who ends her program in New York City after 12 years to visit the top restaurants around the world and write a book. Before she can follow her dream, she must make a stop in Milwaukee to sign the papers selling her late Aunt Susie’s food bank store, Angel’s Fare. After learning more about the food bank, Mandy decides to hold one more Christmas food giveaway. However, she only has a few days to arrange it.

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING tells a delightful, winsome, well-acted story about the meaning of Christmas. It has a strong Christian worldview stressing prayer, salvation and giving, including making a reference to the word of Jesus in Acts. 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The exact lyrics of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” about the salvation Jesus brings are heard at least twice. Also, a food bank volunteer uses Chapter Three of Ecclesiastes to help the movie’s romantic lead express his feelings to Mandy.