Holidate - A Movie Review

Leave no holiday behind. This is going to be an interesting year.

Holidate is a 2020 Netflix film. Never having luck with relationships, Sloane and Jackson agree to have a platonic relationship as they meet up for every holiday during the year. Slowly, they find a genuine attraction. Will they go after it or deny the feelings?

I have watched Holidate twice on Netflix. Holidate has received mixed reviews for its content. Holidate is a humorous, well-acted film with a moral about love. While the humor is not for all audiences, the film distributes how essential it is to give love a chance.

Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey share the best screen-chemistry that I have not seen in a while. They are the core of the film. They are sarcastic, share secrets, comfort each other, and have arguments. You know you’re good friends with someone when you can make dirty jokes. Grasping their characters, Sloane and Jackson open themselves up to love.

I am very impressed with Emma Roberts. She has come a long way since her television series, Unfabulous from when she was a kid. Sloane is a complex person. Fighting for people to understand her opinions, Sloane makes a valid point that people, specifically women, don’t have to go along with societal norms.

Roberts does an incredible job with her inward emotional battle. Luke Bracey does the same. I have never seen him in any films so I am looking forward to watching him in other media. Jackson is a sweetheart. He helps Sloane in more ways than one. People walk into our lives for a reason.

Holidate includes several colorful characters. Viewers may recognize Frances Fisher from Titanic. Like her character in Titanic, she embodies a similar personality trying to force her daughter into relationships.

Kristen Chenoweth lights up the screen with her cheery nature. Other credits include Andrew Bachelor, Jessica Capshaw, Manish Dayal, Alex Moffat, Cynthy Wu, Jack Manley, Savannah Reina, and a whole ensemble of memorable characters. This is a character film. I like how the cast studied their roles, each having their own conflict with love. It added layers.

The approach to Holidate reminded me of Before Sunrise. The writers did an excellent job with the dialogue. That’s what kept me intrigued by the story. It is relatable. Jackson and Sloane have an assortment of conversations. Conversations are fun because one can go through a variety of topics in so little time. And it is also a way to find out secrets.

Creatively, the film delved into all the holidays. New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and a very hectic Halloween. There are some holidays that one would never think of. The film is full of surprises. I always wondered which holiday they were going to do next as the film went on.

John Whitesell excelled in the story, characters, but mostly the humor. Holidate knows its humor. The humor is raunchy so it may not be for all audiences. Some of the humor included sexual jokes, drugs, and language. Amidst both times I watched this film I was howling in laughter.

Aside from the comedy, Whitesell did a great job with the portrayal of the moral. Give love a chance. And don’t be disrespectful about other people’s opinions. We all want our own thing in life. Everybody can be their own person whether they want a relationship or to be alone.

Holidate is definitely a movie to enjoy with your friends. Don’t listen to reviews and give it a chance. I recommend this movie. As I said, the raunchy humor is not for everyone.