Hitched for the Holidays

 

On Thanksgiving, commitment-phobe Rob Marino (Lawrence) announces another failed relationship to his family.  They laugh about how he is unable to keep a relationship going over the holidays.  His beloved grandmother, Theresa (Shaw), says her dying wish is to meet the woman Rob will marry.  To lift her spirits, he tells her about a fake girlfriend named Rosemary.

Meanwhile, Julie Greene (Hampshire) is tired of her mother, Maxine (Henner), interfering in her love life.  The last straw is when she is set-up with a boring ex-boyfriend, who is told that she is free for the entire season.

Julie and Rob agree to pose as a couple for the rest of the year, attending all holiday functions together.  Rob wants to make Grandma Theresa happy, and Julie agrees to be Rosemary.  Julie wants her meddling mother to stop interfering and Rob agrees to be Jewish for her family.  As they juggle the events of the holiday, can they keep up the ruse without falling in love?

This is a Hallmark Christmas film.  It is a story you've seen before, with a Christmas and Hanukah spin.

The Good:

It is short.  The acting is ok.

The Bad:

The cast.  I normally like Joey Lawrence, but not here.  He feels miscast or something.  I did not like Emily Hampshire.  They had some good moments, but as a whole, it just didn't feel like the right people.  Most of the characters are more like caricatures or extremes... I think it is intended to be funny, but most were grating.  I didn't dislike all of the characters, but I also was not impressed with any of them.

Other Comments:

-The film is predictable.  It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good.  Blasé is the best I can say about it.

-The meeting of the families, where the Catholic Marino's pretend to be Jewish, complete with Star of David decorations and Menorah's throughout the house.  Along with the realization that most of the Menorah's are actually Kwanzaa candles, was the funniest part of the film.  Ridiculous, but it did make me laugh. 

-Don't waste your time, there are better versions of this story and better Christmas and Hanukah films to watch.

-A better version of this story, although not set over the holidays, is My Fake Fiancé.  This ABC Family film starts Joey Lawrence and Melissa Joan Hart.  It is still corny, but much better than this film.

Hitched for the Holidays (2012) 87 minutes

Director: Michael M. Scott

Starring: Joey Lawrence as Rob Marino

Emily Hampshire as Julie Greene

Linda Darlow as Evie Marino

Serge Houdue as Butch Marino

L. Harvey Gold as Mel Greene

Marilu Henner as Maxine Greene

Paula Shaw as Theresa Scotti

Christopher Gauthier as Stevie

Christina Sicoli as Maria

Lisa Durupt as Molly

Colin Lawrence as Patrick