Movie Review: Holiday Crashers (2024)

Synopsis: Toni Andretti was well on her way to following in her father's footsteps as an attorney when a panic attack prevented her from completing Connecticut's bar exam. She now works with her friend, Bri, at a stationary store while they try to figure out their next steps. When Bri swipes some of the holiday party invitations the store prints for Connecticut's elites and suggests she and Toni crash them, Toni reluctantly agrees, and the pair are soon having the time of their lives. However, a chance encounter with business executive Justin at one of the parties leads to Toni and Bri being invited to a holiday retreat so Toni can consult on an acquisition deal, their lies might get Toni in a lot of trouble and cost her a chance at love.

Who's in it? The movie stars Lyndsy Fonseca, Daniella Monet, Chris McNally, Jag Bal and Keith MacKechnie.


Review: When I came across Holiday Crashers on Hallmark, I had some doubts about it because it was clearly a rip-off of Wedding Crashers and most of the time holiday remakes of popular movies just don't work out. However, I added it to my library and my wife, and I ended up watching it anyway. 

Overall, it turned out to be better than expected.

I think the thing that impressed me most about this film was it wasn't as predictable as Hallmark movies usually are. I mean, there was no doubt Toni (Fonseca) and Justin (McNally) would end up together by the end. However, it wasn't as easy as overcoming a simple misunderstanding. Toni's lie of omission regarding her licensed attorney status was something that could get both of them in a lot of trouble.  In other words, this is one of those rare movies where the inevitable conflict between two would-be lovers makes a lot of sense.

I also liked how the movie had some equally intriguing side stories involving Toni's other relationships, both with her friend, Bri (Monet), who was a troublemaker but clearly cared about Toni as well, and her father, Lou (MacKechnie), a man she respected but was also the reason she had the panic attack that prevented her from becoming an attorney. The latter was the most intriguing one, especially when they got into a fight and the truth about her being embarrassed by the way he pandered for new clients got out.

That said, I did think the conflicts were resolved a bit too easily. However, it's a romantic comedy and made-for-TV holiday movie so I guess that should be expected so I won't dock any points for that.

Final Opinion: It's not a unique premise but the execution was decent enough to make this an entertaining movie. I don't know if I'd list it among my favorites, but also didn't regret watching it with my wife.

My Grade: B+

_______________________________________________________________________________

Here are some reviews of other Hallmark holiday movies:

Movie Review: The Christmas Contest (2021)

Movie Review: Haul out the Holly (2022)

Movie Review: The Secret Gift of Christmas (2023)

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