What sets this film apart from other TV-quality holiday rom-coms is that it remembers that it is a comedy, and isn't bogged down by sappy, saccharine moments. (No children making Christmas wishes, no ruminations about fate or true love, no holiday miracles.) The movie plays out its silly plot with sort of a furrowed brow and a sly smirk. In the tradition of decades of great romantic comedies, the love story evolves from a combative and competitive relationship: a first-time wedding planner tries to manage her cousin's high-class nuptials without a hitch, while the bride's private eye ex digs up dirt on the groom.
The success of this film is owed largely to the winning performance of its lead, Jocelyn Hudon, who is charming and natural. She gives her character an edge of believable awkwardness that is endearing and suitably contemporary. She's a young entrepreneur who's in a little over her head, but she's strong-willed and doing the best she can. (Her inner monologue colors the narrative through voice-over and private text messages.) Stephen Huszar is an effective foil as the laid-back, confidently goofy private investigator-slash-restauranteur (his sleuthing is more of a side hustle).
The Christmas setting is purely incidental, as this story is all about the upcoming wedding. But the snow and holiday decor make for nice set dressing. There are dramatic turns along the way, but the movie is primarily a lighthearted and quirky affair, and an enjoyable diversion.
The success of this film is owed largely to the winning performance of its lead, Jocelyn Hudon, who is charming and natural. She gives her character an edge of believable awkwardness that is endearing and suitably contemporary. She's a young entrepreneur who's in a little over her head, but she's strong-willed and doing the best she can. (Her inner monologue colors the narrative through voice-over and private text messages.) Stephen Huszar is an effective foil as the laid-back, confidently goofy private investigator-slash-restauranteur (his sleuthing is more of a side hustle).
The Christmas setting is purely incidental, as this story is all about the upcoming wedding. But the snow and holiday decor make for nice set dressing. There are dramatic turns along the way, but the movie is primarily a lighthearted and quirky affair, and an enjoyable diversion.