The Holiday Calendar – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Director(s)		Bradley Walsh
Written By		Amyn Kaderali
Date Released		11.2.2018
Genre(s)		Holiday, Family, Romance
Good If You Like		Simple Holiday Films Holiday Films Light On Magic
Noted Cast
Abby	Kat Graham
Josh	Quincy Brown
Ty	Ethan Peck
Gramps	Ron Cephas Jones

Summary

Since they were kids, Abby and Josh seemingly have known each other, and when it comes to Abby’s family, they’ve been waiting for one to have the guts to ask out the other. After all, Abby helped Josh discover his love of photography; the family loves him, and he is a good guy. Much less, it isn’t like Abby has dated anyone else noteworthy who she has chemistry with.

So, to perhaps push things along, Abby’s grandpa gifts her this advent calendar that was her grandmother’s. This leads to, each day, Abby feeling like she is being guided towards someone. Not who the family wants, Josh, but a local doctor named Ty. Leaving you to question if Ty might be the one and Josh, just the best friend who missed his chance.

Will this be a Christmas movie with a bittersweet ending?

Collected Quote(s) or .Gifs

That’s the problem of having a great love. The “Pretty Good” ones don’t stand a chance.
— Gramps

People can show you whatever they want. But it’s how they make you feel… that counts. And how you make them feel too.

Highlights

It’s A Little Less Fluffy Than The Average Christmas Movie

Until last year, I really didn’t seek out new Christmas Movies. I usually kept it to a Diva’s Christmas Carol and The Preacher’s Wife. Yet, between A Christmas Prince and Christmas Inheritance, I got caught up. But, one thing I began to notice is a lot of them, while they have a dead parent or some slightly sad thing involved, all could easily morph into one, even when one has an extravagant element like meeting a prince and falling in love.

Now, with The Holiday Calendar, because I guess it can’t be called The Christmas Calendar, what makes this less fluffy is that Abby hates her job and is at the point of giving up. Not in a suicidal, drastic way, more so just giving into her family and working at her dad’s law firm. All the while, Josh lives his life and the dreams Abby likely had for herself. Yet, she avoids letting that green monster show whenever possible when he is around. Instead, she is glad one of them went to do something they loved, and she lives vicariously, sort of.

Which I appreciated; on top of not making Abby the jolliest girl around, we have that she is cool with her family, especially her grandpa, yet still feels like an outsider. This makes this film seem more rooted in reality, even if this calendar is trying to reveal Abby’s future and the future’s paths if she opens herself up to the possibilities.

Josh and Abby Are Couple Goals

One thing that not every romance film cultivates is a friendship before a relationship. With this film, you really understand that, whether they get together or not, Josh and Abby likely are stuck with one another for the rest of their lives.

Josh is part of the family; his absence is noticed, and they’d love for a ring to make him a Sutton officially. And, after a while, you are feeling the same way and wondering when are one of these two going to say something since they got feelings for each other. The only issue may be that they are cowards or don’t want to jeopardize the friendship.

On The Fence

If You’re Not Into Christmas Movies, This Will Not Be An Exception

I can dig the romance of the film and deal with the idea that this wind-up calendar can partially predict Abby’s fate. However, if films like these usually don’t tickle you, I would not say you should watch this. The acting and writing are good enough but aren’t genre-defying, even with a handful of poignant moments that seem too deep for a Christmas movie with no real dramatic elements.

Overall: Positive (Worth Seeing)

If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, The Holiday Calendar is a good start. It has holiday magic and a cute romance story with a few twists, yet it seems more grounded than most holiday movies. Giving you enough to keep with tradition but the kind of changes that make it so you don’t feel you’ve seen a “new” movie like this for the last couple of years. Hence, the positive label.