MOVIE REVIEW
Movie: Holiday Date
Network: Hallmark Channel
Original Air Date: December 14, 2019
*Part of Hallmark Channel's 10th Anniversary of Countdown to Christmas!
CAST:
Matt Cohen ... Joel
Brittany Bristow ... Brooke
Teryl Rothery ... Donna Miller
Bruce Boxleitner ... Walter
Anna Van Hooft ... Ashley
Ava Grace Cooper ... Tessa
Peter Benson ... Glen
Edward Ruttle ... Ethan Reinhart
Shannon Chan-Kent ... Megan
Matty Finochio ... Larry
Edwin Perez ... Roger
Christine Chatelain ... Cheryl
Ken Tremblett ... Hank
Seth Friesen ... Emily’s Brother
Natalie Moon ... Nina
April Telek ... Emily’s Mother
Dee Jay Jackson ... Owner
Heather-Claire Nortey ... Robbie
Kristina Lao ... Sarah Banks
PLOT:
Storyline via Hallmark: When Brooke is dumped right before Christmas, she enlists the help of actor Joel to play the role of her boyfriend for the holidays. Brooke had described her ex-boyfriend as “Mr. Christmas” to her family and worries about keeping up the ruse when she discovers Joel is Jewish and has never celebrated the holiday. Fortunately, her family is eager to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, and the two grow closer over sharing their traditions. When Brooke’s family grows suspicious about Joel’s identity, she and Joel must decide whether to keep up the relationship charade or admit their true feelings.
Movie Review:
Coming...
See or Skip:
Coming...
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*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
I'm so happy we finally get to see Brittany in a lead role. It's about time. She's always been the highlight for me. Let's hope more are to follow!
ReplyDeleteThe network has two new Hanukkah-themed movies. In one of them, the Jewish protagonist doesn’t know how to decorate a tree.
ReplyDeleteMy worries were confirmed after viewing both films; they are just Christmas movies featuring Jewish characters. “Double Holiday” follows Chris and Rebecca (by their names, you don’t need me to tell you that one celebrates Christmas and the other, Hanukkah), co-workers attempting to plan the company Christmas party. As with any typical Christmas movie, the backdrop to every scene is laden with dazzling wreaths and ornaments — except for moments when Rebecca is with her outlandish, yarmulke-wearing, kvelling Jewish relatives. Rebecca is usually dressed in blue; Chris, in red or green.
“Holiday Date” is even worse. A woman named Brooke hires a Jewish actor, Joel, to pose as her boyfriend when she travels home for Christmas, and when her family gets to know him, they grow increasingly suspicious. “He seems nice enough, but there’s just something that just isn’t right,” Brooke’s father says. “He’s a bit of an odd duck.”
In both movies, the Jewish protagonists are clueless and miserably new to Christmas — Rebecca can’t decorate a tree and Joel doesn’t even know the words to “Deck the Halls” — and are taught by their generous Christian hosts to fully embrace the holiday.
In turn, their Christmas-loving counterparts learn a little bit about dreidels, latkes and how to light the Hanukkah candles. By the end the pairs fall for each other — and the Jewish characters easily fall in love with Christmas.
What a fun, hilarious, adorable, heartwarming movie! This was high on my "must watch" list because I'm a big fan of Matt Cohen and I was looking forward to seeing Brittany Bristow in a leading role. Well, I loved it even more than I hoped I would! I was laughing out loud through the entire thing. Such a delightful movie!
ReplyDeleteReading Amy's comments above and hearing her enthusiasm for how much she enjoyed this movie, it makes me appreciate how different we all are. For me, this movie was a miss. I enjoyed the idea of the plot, but it was just executed too, too over-the-top unbelievable and silly, for me. I kept watching in hopes that it would get better. (Well, in truth, I kept watching, mainly because I loved the family kitchen and was taking notes for my own kitchen remodel!!) I finally gave up and hit delete about halfway through. It just wasn't my cup of tea, but it was family friendly and I'm sure others (like Amy) will find it a lot of fun!
ReplyDelete~~Jane
This was SUCH a cute movie! I loved it. It was hilarious and light hearted, but kept my attention.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Brittany Bristow...and I am so glad she finally starred in a lead role.
ReplyDeleteThis movie was both a hit and a miss for me. There were a few laugh out loud moments...which I did enjoyably. I found Matt's character (at times) was over the top silly. Which pulled me out of the storyline. I think my parents would like this movie because they like slapstick humour. I hope to see Brittany in more leading roles in the future!