Holiday in the Wild (2019 Netflix)

Holiday in the Wild (2019 Netflix)

Cast: ‎Rob Lowe, Kristin Davis, Fezile Mpela

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Synopsis (via Netflix)

After her husband ends their marriage, Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa. There, she and Derek, a pilot, rescue a baby elephant. While nursing the elephant back to health, Kate discovers how much she loves her new surroundings.

Thoughts

Charlotte is living quite a different life since we last saw her in Sex and the City. Her adopted daughter, Lily, turned into a son, and her husband turned not bald/Jewish? Oh, wait. You mean to tell me this is a DIFFERENT wealthy, type A, white lady, living in Manhatten? (I still wouldn’t believe you, but okay.)

Kristin Davis is playing a womaned name, Kate. (but, really Charlotte.) Her son is off to college (or something) and planned a second honeymoon husband. The trouble is her husband is moving out and wants a divorce. (He is more or a Trey than a Harry, okay, I promise I’ll stop with the Sex and the City references.)

Kate still goes on the trip to Lusaka, Zambia. (Unlike when Hallmark does movies in Africa, there are actual black Africans. Never forget Love on Safari with Lacey Chabert.) Kate drinks martinis and eats dinners for two while reading a book. (She is my idol!) Rob Lowe shows up and won’t leave her alone; he is almost insulting her. He is the pilot on the resort and is named Derek. He will be flying Kate to a couple’s destination lodge in the middle of nowhere. They make a pit stop to save a baby elephant. (Like a REAL baby elephant! It is Kristin Davis’s cause of choice.)

Kate is so overwhelmed by the experience (she used to be a ver) that she joins Derek at an elephant rescue facility. She decides to stay and help out. Kate is disappointed to learn that there is no wifi. She is, however, relieved that she won’t be sharing a fancy tent with shirtless Derek. (Wow. Rob Lowe is still insanely hot… like HOW?)

Derek takes Dr. Kate on a safari, and we get to see ALL the animals. They have a picnic and watch the elephants bathing. Derek opens up about being a widower. Later, they look at stars and makeout and get caught by one of Derek’s jealous female co-workers. Kate doesn’t have time for a relationship; she does have time to help take care of elephants. Kate stays for three more months. (Till, Christmas.)

Dr. Kate spends Christmas away from her family and is taken in by her co-workers. Derek gets her a latte maker, and her soon to be ex-husband sends divorce papers. Derek comforts her and listens to her vent her frustrations.

It is Christmas Eve, and Dr. Kates gets one more gift. Her son Luke arrives just in time for Christmas. At this point in the movie would be the end over at Hallmark or Lifetime. I’m not sure where else this will go!

They celebrate Christmas for a full week in this African town. We get African singers singing “Silent Night” and other Christmas carols. Dr. Kate’s friends (Carrie, Miranda, and Samantha.) are all wondering when she is going to come back to New York. She realizes her friends are right, and she needs to go home to help her (now college drop out) son. Dr. Kate and Derek kiss when she tells him that she will be leaving. Before she goes, Derek paints a picture of Dr. Kate. (Did I mention the man also pants.)

Back in New York, Dr. Kate looks for a new job as a veterinaian. She encourages her son to go to college and study music. Dr. Kate learns that the elephant rescue location is in financial trouble, and she raises the money with all her fancy New York friends. Derek is touched and mails her a painting he made of Dr. Kate with some elephants.

In Africa, Dr. Kate shows up and tells Derek that she sold her place and will be stating with him. They get married five months later and work with elephants. Dr. Kate releases the elephant they saved at the beginning of the movie. Dr. Kate cries in Derek’s arms as they watch him join his elephant family.

Side Note

Minority Report: Everyone except Rob Lowe, Kristen Davis, her son, and husband.

Rob Lowe’s actual son, John Owen Lowe, plays Luke. (Kate’s son)

It took me a while to watch this one because I didn’t think it was a Christmas movie. Turns out… it isn’t really. If you like elephants, you’ll love this movie.

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Overall rating

🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees, this movie was not very Christmasy)

🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 glasses of wine required)