Holidate
Ratings: 3/5
Duration: 01 Hr 43 Mins
Director: John Whitesell
Writer: Tiffany Paulsen
Produced By: Steven Bello, David Grace, Jenny Hinkey, McG, Tiffany Paulsen, Mary Viola
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Date: 28 October 2020
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Star Cast: Emma Roberts, Kristin Chenoweth, Luke Bracey, Frances Fisher, Jessica Capshaw, Mikaela Hoover, Jake Manley, Andrew Bachelor, Manish Dayal, Alex Moffat, Cynthy Wu, Billy Slaughter, Meeghan Holaway, Anne-Marie Kennedy, Shaun Jenkins, Nicole L. Campbell, Christopher Ammanuel, Jessejames Locorriere, Julien Marlon Samani, Patrick Lamont Jr., Adam Drescher, Olaolu Winfunke, Eeryn Falk Lubicich, Jonathan Baron, Monib Abhat, Rahiem Riley, Olivia H. Hunt, Briana Starks,
Summer Rose Ly, Savannah Reina, Serene Lee, Jay D. Kacho, Ava Annetta Lubicich, Linda Hooks, Stephanie Tarling, Greg Weeks, Sarah Hamff, Sara Brumbeloe, Kyra Grace, Katherine Crocker, Matt Rodriguez, Grant Henley, Roblyn Allicia, Sadie Hirsch, Alexander Gale, Zachary Kuebler, Catherine Joyce Agan, Ava Ann Gale, James Hammond, Addialyn Jackson, Ernest Owens, Al Pichardo, David Lee Poe Jr., Ariel Rosario, Shaudry, Marcallus T. Sunday II, Chad J. Wagner, Michelle L. Williams
Plot: Sloane (Emma Roberts) is heartbroken and Jackson (Luke Bracey) is not into commitment - and they both hate the holidays, as they face constant judgment from their meddling families.
When these two strangers meet on one bad Christmas, they pledge to be each other's ‘Holidate’ for every festive occasion, in the year ahead. And assuring themselves that they have no romantic interest in the other, they make the perfect team!
However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, Sloane and Jackson figure out that sharing everything they hate maybe something they unexpectedly love, and that forms the story.
Review: The film ‘Holidate’ written by Tiffany Paulsen, set in Chicago (but shot in Atlanta), achieves generic cleanliness in the hands of the director John Whitesell, as it is self-aware enough to nod at the rom-com formula. But as you already know from the trailer that Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) will be together, the question here is, will you stay focused long enough for them to overcome the molecule-size obstacles that are keeping them apart? Not a spoiler; just peek into the trailer!
There is a demand for them - the rom-com, hence these plotlines continuously roll off the conveyor belt. However, folks clicking on the Netflix trailer of this films itself will let you know how ‘Holidate’ will turn out. Therefore, sadly there is not much to figure out and worthy enough to wait 90 minutes.
However, when it comes to performances, Emma Roberts is winningly sharp as Sloane. She does this with more ease than Luke Bracey as Jackson, but he still manages to charm and connect.
Both are charismatic and attractive, and casting them as cynics who don’t care if they are being likable, is refreshing! Though their chemistry doesn’t exactly scorch the screen, they do make ‘Holidate’ a tart-enough throwaway.
Nevertheless, these two attractive party animals echo the couples in rom coms like Friends With Benefits and Sleeping With Other People, in which best pals trade jibes and roll their eyes at love stories, while suppressing their true feelings.
Of the standouts in the supporting cast, Jessica Capshaw brings a sparkling presence and sharp comic timing as Sloane’s elder sister. Also, Kristin Chenoweth as Sloane’s lustful Aunt Susan, who introduces her niece to the concept of a ‘Holidate,’ somehow manages to sell an unconvincing peripheral romance. It is possibly her wildest performance yet.
Tiffany Paulsen’s script does make a few smart, self-aware observations about cinematic romances.
Overall, the intense likeability and charisma of the lead cast is enough to make a date with this film. Even if you are tired of romantic comedies, or don't like them all in the first place, there is a comforting sense of safety in the film’s familiarity!
