Holidate: Review

Directed by John Whitesell, Netflix’s latest holiday, romantic-comedy movie, “Holidate,” stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey and Kristen Chenowith. 
Roberts plays Sloane, a single Chicagoan who works from home and whose family criticizes her for not yet finding a man to settle down with. 
Jackson, her love interest, is played by Bracey.
Holidays, especially when single, have been awful for the both of them, so after another, solo Christmas for Sloane, and an uncomfortable situation with his then-fling for Jackson, the pair unexpectedly meet. 
Sloane hears the term “holidate,” which simply is a one time date for the holidays, through her eccentric aunt, played by Chenowith. Sloane offers the idea up to Jackson, since they both don’t have plans for New Year’s Eve. Through the movie, they continue “holidating” each major holiday, only as friends with simple rules to follow. As the movie progresses, their feelings for each other begin to become evident, so they must finally confront them in the end.
For me, “Holidate” was an enjoyable movie. Of course, the movie follows the same set of rules that every rom-com follows with the main protagonist not wanting to be in a relationship, when there’s a perfect one right in front of her. 
The characters are somewhat plain and basic, but they can still be found relatable. The dialogue is current and realistic, as well as the way some of the characters behave and interact. The movie is filled with comedic, romantic and festive moments, and its eccentric cast of characters make the movie this way.
The movie might be basic, but it’s an interesting and refreshing twist on the overdone romantic-comedy genre.

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