A Holiday Boyfriend

A Holiday Boyfriend is a romantic comedy with a familiar theme - Mr. Right Now turns out to be Mr. Right. I found it on Tubi while looking for an easy to watch movie that would take my mind off this post-presidential election time-period that feels like a dumpster fire. This movie delivered. It has kind of a Hallmark or Lifetime romance movie feel, but with much better kissing and a great scene on the kitchen dishwasher.

The male lead character is an introverted, socially shy man of few words, but one look at him and you know that underneath he is a "hunka hunka burning love." Casting Matt Merchant for this character made the movie, in my opinion. He's a handsome guy in a football player offensive guard lineman kind of way - a guy who could clear a crowded sidewalk for a woman and pick her up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. What woman doesn't want that? Best leading man kisser I have seen, with blue eyes and a great smile thrown in to seal the deal.

The woman who played the leading female character also wrote, directed, and helped cast the movie. For a debut film of these responsibilities, I thought that Olivia Dunkley did a solid job. I thought there was a good supporting cast, especially the two girlfriends, and the waiter Han. They added some great humor to the film. Were there some things that could have been written or acted differently? Maybe, but I'm no Roger Ebert to pass judgement. If you think a scene is too slow, you can skip ahead 10 seconds in Tubi if you want. For the person who rated this movie low because they said the female lead character is "the most unlikeable shallow bimbo of all time," I have two words: Scarlett O'Hara.

I am glad I spent an hour and 45 minutes of my life watching this film. I also found an online interview on The Movie Guys with Olivia and Matt where I learned just how hard it is to make a movie on a really small budget. Overall, a fun movie to watch. The only thing I would have changed is that the characters would have been naked for the dishwasher scene (just kidding).

Usually these fims are either formulaic or badly done ego trips. This film, written and directed by the star, had some weaknesses in writing, but the plot was not contrived, the story developed reasonably, and the performances were (generally) excellent. The dynamic between the female friends was honest and natural. The male lead was a little stiff, but may have been written that way. I watched it to see what a woman-driven genre film could accomplish. Olivia Dunkley stepped beyond her stunt woman, action hero default to deliver an entertaining look at contemporary dating.

Don't waste your time. The main character is the most unlikeable shallow bimbo of all time.

Suspenful! Will the cowboy kill them all at Christmas? Can't argue with other reviewers here but I'd actually recommend this film because it's so freaking odd. If you sat down to watch this movie you couldn't be expecting anything but holiday schmaltz anyway so give it a watch. Trust me... you've not seen anything like it 😂. I have never before seen not heard of any of these actors and it's unlikely I ever will again. If Harlequin Romance was ever a movie? This is it. I wonder if any of this cast thought it was their big break? Hope not. If you're a budding filmmaker watch this flick for it's lessons in mistakes not to make.

I had to give it a star to post the review. This movie is awful! The male role is not only a terrible actor, but he is creepy. The female role is also terrible and comes across desperate and pathetic. This is not to be compared to a Hallmark movie. It is so bad.