Le pacte de Noël

In this film two "Thirty Something" adults are both sick and tired of friends and family trying to match them up-especially during the holidays.

In this film a commitment-phobic Rob Marino (Joey Lawrence) breaks up with his girlfriend before Thanksgiving, he is criticized by his big Italian family about his inability to keep a relationship through the holidays. Wanting to prove them wrong and fulfill his dying grandmother's (Paula Shaw) wish to see him happy in love, Rob goes online and finds Julie (Emily Hampshire), another single New Yorker who's meddling Jewish mom (Marilu Henner), has driven her to seek a temporary boyfriend. Rob and Julie agree to pose as a couple through the holidays to get their families off their backs. But things get complicated when Rob's Catholic clan and Julie's Jewish family get involved. With Christmas coming and Hanukkah around the corner, they double their efforts to keep the charade going, only to discover their fake feelings may be a little too real.

The film does move along at a nice pace. My only problem is that Joey Lawrence is miscast. Since this is a Hallmark movie I am a little shocked that Candace Cameron did not snap up this role (Unless she did not want to play a Jewish Girl) Has lots nice moments. Not perfect but very enjoyable.

This is a bit quirkier take on the plot device where two strangers need to pretend to be in a relationship for the holidays. I enjoyed quite a few laughs as this Jewish girl agrees to this with a Catholic boy.

Their first rule is no touching and they break it about 10 seconds later when Julie sees the office creep and grabs Rob and kisses him. In fact this movie probably has more kissing than I've seen in any of these Hallmark friendly movies.

They keep getting into little dilemmas where they have to do some quick thinking that usually leads to a "white" lie. At one point, Rob's whole Catholic family pretends to be Jewish because Rob and Julie have told her family that he is Jewish. Admittedly this isn't PC which hopefully can be forgiven, but it is funny.

Joey Lawrence and Emily Hampshire are cute together.

This story is a nice change on the theme and takes a tiny twist at the end.

Not sure why Lisa Bishop has to reduce this to a sexist moan as it wasn't written to be sexist! Such a shame and so unnecessary.

This is a simple little story that draws you in. It I has an easy storyline and is nice to watch and become involved in.

The characters are believable and enjoyable. The story is often predictable but that does not detract from the overall plot which still surprises at moments. There are some great moments in it where you want to hide in embarrassment but this is because in a way they are believable!

It doesn't have to have big expectations because that is what it is!

Settle down on a cold wet afternoon in front of a fire and enjoy!

Not different by many others Christmas movies, using the same sweet romanticism, with few drops of religion, solitude and ...a horse, it is only nice. and this is the good point. because , in this case, the most important detail could be the status of hot chocolate film. and, few good performances and few references to classic scenes of genre are enough for ignore the not inspired parts and the unrealistic scenes. but the real great thing is the science to use the well known recipe of genre. in simple manner, without many innovations, it is the typical Christmas film - comfortable, nice and romantic.

I absolutely loved this movie and enjoyed the various hilarious parts it had! I love Christmas holiday movies.