The concept of two college-educated best friends in their late thirties crashing parties, changing identities, and getting swept up in a fantasy without remorse or fear of consequences is very far-fetched.
Even so, the strong cast, the fast-paced action, double the romance, and a satisfying conclusion pull the viewer into an entertaining whirlwind.
What Is Holiday Crashers About?
Holiday Crashers stars Lyndsy Fonseca, Danielle Monet, Chris McNally, and Jag Bal.
Here's the synopsis per Hallmark's website:
Best friends Toni (Fonseca) and Bri (Monet) have worked at the same card shop for more years than they should as both struggle to find their true life’s path. This holiday season, Toni and Bri decide to shake up their humdrum world by creating new identities to crash the amazing Christmas parties from the shop's confidential invitations. All harmless fun! Until Toni gets mistaken for a lawyer, which isn’t too far off the mark since she did finish law school...just never completed the bar exam. Toni and Bri are then whisked away to a fancy corporate Christmas retreat in the snowy Vermont mountains by handsome business mogul, Justin (McNally), whose crush on Toni is real even if her legal career isn’t. And Bri is along for the ride as she has eyes for Vinny (Bal), a valet who may have a secret of his own. Can a distraction help Bri find what path in life she’s supposed to follow? Will Toni end up with the guy of her dreams or in a blizzard of trouble? This fun Christmas crashing romp will either end in disaster or two happily-ever-afters!
The movie trope is fake identity but only for part of the time.
Justin carries emotional baggage from a previous relationship, which makes him completely intolerant of lying, so Toni's lack of transparency is a major deal-breaker.
The Appeal of Holiday Crashers
Holiday Crashers appears to be Hallmark's attempt to attract a younger demographic. Although the initial movie vibe feels like the 2023 Hallmark movie bomb--Never Been Chris'd--it is engaging and enjoyable despite the outlandish plot.
Chris McNally's longer hairstyle makes him sexier--if that is possible. He's also a terrific actor, which is the icing on the sugar cookie. Lyndsy Fonseca is a strong lead, so together, they pull off what would otherwise be totally implausible.
Bri's romance with Vinny doesn't take a back seat to Toni's, which is unusual for a subplot. Watching their relationship bloom is equally enchanting as the leads'. Bri's upbeat personality combined with her thirst for adventure adds considerably to the entertainment value and helps carry the movie.
Where Holiday Crashers Fails
At the core of the movie are two directionless women in their late thirties with a complete lack of integrity. While both excuse their deceitfulness by saying they get swept up in the fantasy, it does not excuse their morally reprehensible choices to steal invitations from their employer and gleefully lie about their identities and occupations until it comes back to haunt them.
Hallmark used to produce movies that reflected the true spirit of Christmas. To see the secular depths to which their storytelling has descended is sad. Not to mention, a Hindu wedding is conducted--a pagan religion that is completely antithetical to the real meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus.
It's no wonder that former Hallmark CEO, Bill Abbott, who now runs Great American Family, is amassing viewers faster than elves can make toys. GAF's theme for the 2024 holiday season is Christmas as It's Meant to Be, and the movies the network is churning out are layered with faith, hope, love, peace, and the other values our culture once embraced.
So, while Holiday Crashers boasts a great cast, keeps you on edge as you anticipate Toni's and Bri's exposure, and allows you to fantasize about being on the receiving end of McNally's hot kiss, it has no heart and debases the Christmas spirit.
If you like Lyndsy Fonseca's sweater, you can order it from Amazon here.
Like Fonseca's gingerbread sweater dress? It's available on Amazon here.
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