It is that time of year again, a fine sheen of ice covers your car in the mornings, it gets dark before 4pm and Netflix bombards you with a slew of cheesy Christmas movies. Netflix’s new movie “Holidate” is no exception.
John Whitsell, the director of the award winning comedy franchise ‘Big Momma’s House’, brings us a cliche romantic comedy you will probably only watch when you have exhausted all your other procrastination options.
The most original concept of this movie is the title itself. Although it has never been referred to as ‘holidating’ many films and TV series have explored the idea of having a date solely for special occasions. The concept of a ‘holidate’ comes from the desire not to spend the holidays alone, to avoid third wheel situations and avoid pitying stares from friends and family.
Holidate follows the story of two strangers Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) who meet in their local mall. After some needlessly unkind banter, they bond over their terrible Christmases and agree to be each other’s holidate to prevent any further holiday mishaps. That is they will be each other’s no strings attached date for every holiday as long as they are both single.
Sloane, a late twenty something year old, is career focused, single and happy and trying hard to convince her family of this fact. Jackson, of course is an Australian professional athlete looking for no pressure companionship.
So, for New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving, Sloane and Jackson meet up for alcohol-fueled, people-mocking, good natured fun. Only contacting each other for these one-off hangouts, their friendship is cemented over time.
Like every friends-to-lovers movie they refuse to see how perfect they are for each other and instead delude themselves into believing they can just be friends. Ignoring the comments from their friends and family about where their relationship is going, they choose to focus on the present and not make any serious commitments.
The movie is raunchy and awkward at best and sexist and cringey at its worst. It’s chockablock with boorish slapstick commentary, unnecessary exaggeration and vulgarity, all leading up to the humiliating yet public final scene.
So if you are looking for a festive romantic comedy with cynical lead characters that are somewhat endearing and a predictable ending, then look no further. However, if you are looking for a romance with depth that you can re-watch whenever you need a good cry, then ‘Holidate’ is not the movie for you.