In this writer’s opinion, Countdown to Christmas has been all over the place this year. There has been a mix of really good movies and ones that make us question what they are doing. But one of the things that I love is that Hallmark movies are very subjective, and what one enjoys may not be what others enjoy. That all being said, this writer (I know I shouldn’t keep writing that, but hey) believes that A Make Our Break Holiday, lands in the top 3 movies of this holiday season.
StarringEvan Roderick and Hunter King play Liv and Daniel, a couple that have hit a rough patch at Christmas. The two seem like the perfect couple from an outside point of view, but actually watching them, you see that their one downfall is communication.
Spoiler alert: THEY SUCK AT IT.
Heading into A Make or Break Holiday, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did know that it was a rom-com, but I was underestimating the chemistry that Evan Roderick and Hunter King’s chemistry. The two actors have natural movement, playing off of each other so effortlessly. They move in sync, and even their facial expressions don’t feel forced.
What they do is make the viewer feel as though they are real people, and you’re getting a lesson in what not to do. Well, that and communication. The two exemplify it what one should not do in a relationship.
What is that? Well, so glad you asked.
The two get into a conversation over Christmas decorations and their families coming. Liv and Daniel decide not to correct their words and apologize as soon as the words come out of their mouths.
The two agree to take a break. If we’ve learned anything from Friends is that no one should ever say that they are on a break, without classifying what being on “break” means. Instantly, the two know that they made a mistake, but they head to separate rooms in order to call their families and call off hosting Christmas.
I screamed at the television when they went to separate rooms and know what they just did is wrong. To make matters worse, their families end up having to stay with them. It will make faking it harder.
Faking that all is okay in a relationship is not easy. As a matter of fact, it is hard as eff to mask things and neither one of them is doing well with this break. There are a lot of reasons why this movie is one of our favorites, and here are five reasons why it should be one of yours.
THE FAMILY CRAZINESS
I know that around the holidays, families can and do get crazy. It seems as though traditions, food, and, well, a recap of the year turn it all on its head. Families are crazy.
Liv’s family is uptight, judgmental, and well, even through my frustration with their craziness. They yell, they scream, and they think that they are always right, all the time. The only good part of that family is the brother, played by Craig Geoghan, the winner of Finding Mr. Christmas.
Daniels’ family – his Mom, sister, and Grandmother are free spirits. They are all trying to avoid conflict. My favorite character besides Daniel and Liv is Kim, played by Brittney Wilson. She knows her brother and knows that Daniel is hiding something.
The families are exact opposites, but that is part of what makes it funny and enjoyable.
THE HOLIDAY
Who doesn’t love Christmas (besides me)? The way that all of these family traditions play out is part of what makes the movie great. There are the ones we all have – the tree, the lights, the food – but there are also other ones that have me thankful that I don’t have them in my life.
Christmas is an important time for many. It’s a time of gathering, family, and love. Christmas is a time of joy – at least it’s supposed to be.
Seeing the way that people celebrate Christmas, even fictional ones, is always interesting to me. I loved seeing the way that everything – even the chaos and the crazy was fun.
I think that seeing the way that Daniel and Liv try to keep everyone happy, but I think that these two – that’s part of the problem. When you don’t know how to make yourself happy, you will never be able to make others happy.
But it’s funny how it is that it looks like Christmas threw up in their house.
THE JOKES
When you watch this movie, you need to really keep in mind that it is a comedy. It is actually really funny. There are a lot of one-liners in here, as well as references that made me belly laugh. Like, if you don’t know why Mary-Kate & Ashley, what the heck?
A lot of the comedy is dry, but I also love dry comedy.
The jokes and the physical comedy are great. A lot of the time, it is being put into that situation, but I will tell you this – it was Daniel and Liv’s brother and sister that had me belly laughing.
I do believe we need to appreciate Finding Mr. Christmas winner Craig even more. He showed the viewer why it was that he won.
THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN HUNTER & EVAN
I love these two individually, so seeing them together and having that much chemistry is fantastic. They know how to play off of each other, as well as when they talk to others about their relationship, bringing that into the situation. The two – even their eyes speak to each other.
In the movie, their relationship has a lot of ups and downs. All of the bad stuff is miscommunications, and these two adapt to everything.
I feel like Hallmark is ushering in new actors, and they are doing a really good job with it. Both of these two can and will be amazing in whatever roles they play. They’ve been acting forever, but as they continue to grow, I hope that they do more movies together.
THE BREAK
If you’re a Friends fan, then you know that saying that a person is on a break can cause a lot of trouble. It can be a tricky situation. Either you take Ross or Rachel’s side and if you take Ross’ well…
Evans’ sister and Liv’s brother – two totally different people, but to make it worse, they give their opinions on what it means. What does “taking a break” mean to you?
Overall, A Make Or Break It Holiday was fun. It made me laugh, tear up, smile, scream, and feel Christmas joy. Tell me, did you watch the movie? What did you think of it? Tells us all the things.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- The Christmas Eve gift
- The obstacle course
- The reading of The Night Before Christmas
- The Christmas Village
- The Fruitcake debacle
- The store bought Sugar Cookies
- Daniel always standing up for Liv
- The cameo as only that actor can do
- The Finding Mr. Christmas references
