Review

To Have and to Holiday: A Toast to Tinsel-Town Trivialities

If you’ve ever spent an entire weekend wearing pajamas, drowning in a bowl of popcorn, and binge-watching Hallmark holiday movies, then "To Have and to Holiday" will feel like a warm, cozy embrace from a giant marshmallow. This 2024 festive flick is both a masterpiece and a hilariously clichéd disaster that keeps the spirit and the absurdity of Hallmark movies alive.

The story follows our perpetually-single protagonist, Holly Jinglebells (yes, that’s her name), who, fresh from a city full of stressed-out Santas, returns to her snow-laden hometown of Mistletoe Falls — apparently named by someone over-zealously committed to festive nomenclature. Predictably, Holly’s childhood sweetheart, Noel Winters (subtle, right?), is also in town, taking a holiday from his Wall Street career which, until now, seemed as stable as a gingerbread house in an earthquake.

The entire movie feels like sipping on hot cocoa that’s slightly too sweet; satisfying yet slightly overwhelming. With a veritable avalanche of Christmas carols, cookie-baking montages, and enough twinkling lights to cause a power outage, it’s hard not to be swept away by this cavalcade of conventional Christmas cheer. To those unfamiliar with watching Hallmark holiday movies, Holly’s bizarrely quick descent from career-focused dynamo to gingerbread-baking, tree-decorating fanatic might seem sudden. But to Hallmark enthusiasts, it’s just another Tuesday or perhaps, another peak festive Saturday.

The dialogue is as cheesy as an entire platter of Brie, complete with holiday puns served with a side of eye-rolls. Noel, whose dazzling smile could probably power one of those massive Christmas light displays, has the personality depth of a pothole, and just when you start wondering why everyone in Mistletoe Falls isn’t a dentist, boom, more candy cane edibles!

Then there’s the supporting cast, featuring the obligatory sassy best friend and wise old innkeeper, both of whom seem sworn to uphold the ancient traditions of town gossip and matchmaking. Somehow even the town’s pet dog manages to meddle in Holly's love life with a cinematic wink and a bark, showcasing that even the four-legged residents of Hallmark land are hopeless romantics.

Ultimately, "To Have and to Holiday" is as predictable as Santa’s midnight snack plan, but that’s precisely why it’s enchanting. You won’t find unexpected plot twists or heart-wrenching drama here. Instead, it offers the comfort of knowing exactly what you’re getting — a film that overflows with everything glittery and glorious about the holidays. So, put on your fluffiest slippers, pour yourself some overly festive eggnog, and prepare to be wooed by this rom-com that’s as heartwarming as a heated blanket on a frosty winter’s night. After all, in the world of Hallmark movies, anything less would surely land you on the naughty list.