It may be October, but there is snow on the ground and we must celebrate accordingly. And there is no better way to celebrate than by pouring an extra-large glass of wine and firing up a great Holiday Rom-Com like Netflix’s “Holidate” – honestly, it’s not like we have anything better to do.
While Hallmark has been crowned the 'King of Holiday Movies', with a list that seems to double every year, Netflix is coming in a very close second place. When Hallmark released its Holiday slate for the year in September, Netflix countered with some pretty impressive actors/actresses backing their own selection of films. While the Hallmark Channel may always have the highest quantity of films, Netflix has the quality – and “Holidate” is the perfect example!
While Hallmark has invested in a plethora of predictable scripts with washed-up actors (looking at you Candace Cameron Bure and Haylie Duff), Netflix is signing on more recognizable and billable talent such as Emma Roberts, Vanessa Hudgens, Dolly Parton, and Kristin Chenowith just to name a few. And Netflix is honestly making the right move, I am way more likely to invest in a Holiday Rom-Com with actors and faces like the one below…aren’t you?
But enough of that, let’s dive into Netflix’s first Holiday Film of the year “Holidate,” released on the streaming site Wednesday, October 28th starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. The film follows Sloane and Jackson, both late-twenty-year-olds who have managed to remain single most of their adult lives, a constant reminder brought up by each family member at every holiday celebration that they attend.
Sloane is the cynical, un-romantic workaholic using sarcasm and wit as a weapon. Jackson is a perpetual Bachelor unable and un-willing to commit to a real relationship. Both seeking relief from their family's constant questioning during the Holiday’s, they strike up a bargain to agree to be each other’s plus-one for every Holiday Event moving forward. The catch? No friends with benefits, strictly just friends attending Easter brunches, Halloween parties and Christmas get-togethers to avoid the nagging questions of their relatives.
What could go wrong?
Together Sloane and Jackson attend every Holiday together throughout the year, starting with New Year's Eve, carrying through to St. Patrick's Day and even Easter. While the film could fall apart easily with lesser versed actors, Roberts and Bracey have great chemistry and it has me wanting to see more from Bracey who we haven't seen on the screen in a few years. (Bracey is most commonly known for "The Best of Me" and "Point Break" Re-Make)
And in a magnificent millennial movie moment, we see a scene opening with a children's Easter Egg Hunt filled with the vocal talents of Ludacris' belting out "Move Bitch Get Out The Way" while children climb over each other for spare Easter eggs in a moment that provides the 'cherry on top' comedic tone to the film. Hilarious stuff.
The movie was….good! In a sea of cheesy and predictable rom-coms, it totally fits the mold but in a charming way. “Holidate” is full of wit and jokes and is more comedy than romance. The chemistry between Roberts and Bracey is surprisingly fresh and although you can probably guess the ending within the first five minutes of the movie, it still didn’t feel annoying. And that is one of the highest forms of praise that I give Holiday Rom-Coms outside of “The Holiday” and “Love Actually.”
So, which are you subscribing to this Holiday Season: Hallmark or Netflix?
My vote for Netflix!
And that’s the sitch.
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