Friends & Family Christmas

So, I watched this mostly because I heard there was a queer storyline and the clips I saw on youtube seemed super cute. I didn't realize how Grinchy I'd been feeling until this movie got me excited about Christmas. Actors were great across the board! The leads pulled me right in and kept me engaged, but honestly the whole ensemble was a delight. The story felt fun and Hallmark without veering too far out of plausibility for me to get pulled out of the experience. Also! Normally I hate "grand gestures" but this one worked for me. Excited to see more work from everybody involved in this project!

I very rarely watch Hallmark movies, but I've had this one on my radar ever since it was announced and I'm so glad the premiere date finally arrived! We love a fake dating trope, we love cheesy Christmas content and, most importantly, we love lesbians <3

This film was so cute and fun. I thought the leads had great chemistry (and they were played by two out queer actresses, yay!) and the supporting cast was great as well. No spoilers but the twist toward the very end was sweet and managed to tie the whole film together :)

I can already see myself rewatching this every year around Christmastime!

I'm very happy to see solid sapphic representation from Hallmark! In general, this positive, normalized, lighthearted depiction of romance between two women is refreshing and heartwarming. The plot, however, is not anything revolutionary. I don't think it needs to be though! It's a sweet and joyous Hallmark movie staple that gets me feeling cozy for the holiday season. Moreover, the romance has its naturally awkward moments that make it feel realistic and relatable like not knowing how to start a conversation on the first meeting and not knowing how to bid goodnight. The parents' support and constant presence is entertaining as well. A lovely community for the holiday cheer.

Friends & Family Christmas is everything you want in a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie. It has found family, fake dating, falling in love, and a touch of drama. It showcases friendship, ambition, and different family dynamics while being a love story at heart. Sure it follows the classic Hallmark Rom Com formula, but that's why we watch these shows. Isn't it? We want to see cheesy, happy love stories. We want to feel all warm and cozy inside as we watch two people fall in love. So if you're needing something light and heartwarming this holiday season, I highly recommend Friends & Family Christmas.

It's not great cinema, because that's not what Christmas movies are about. But it's as solid and enjoyable as television Christmas romances get. The leads are both fun to watch and their chemistry is great. The fact that they are gay is not a plot point - no confusion or coming out of the closet angst - it's just treated as a matter of fact like their hair color or height. It's refreshing to see. And in what I like to think is an homage to "Carol" a pair of gloves is a major plot point. (Not a spoiler, I promise. Just, what is it with lesbians and losing their gloves?) Bottom line, if you want a lighthearted Christmas movie that's not the same old cable holiday movie you've seen a hundred times, give this a shot.