Friends & Family Christmas (2023 Hallmark)
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Cast: Ali Liebert, Humberly González
Director: Anne Wheeler
Writer: Gary Goldstein, Tracy Andreen
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hallmark)
Overwhelmed by Christmas events and a surprise visit from her parents, photographer Dani asks lawyer Amelia for help. Pretending to date is the perfect solution — until real feelings develop.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Daniella is a photographer in New York City. Dani calls her family to tell them she will not make it home for Christmas due to her work commitments. Her parents are disappointed but ask her to meet up with a colleague’s daughter, who has recently moved to the city after a breakup.
Lawyer Amelia works for her father’s firm to distract herself from her breakup with Margo. Her dad wants her to bring a date to the work Christmas party, which is semiformal, and be more social. Amilia reaches out via text to… DANI!
Amelia and Dani meet and talk awkwardly about their astrological signs. Amelia is embarrassed that her dad told Dani’s dad about her breakup and promises that she is over Margo but not ready to date. It doesn’t seem like a love match, so the two part ways.
Dani’s parents surprised her by showing up in New York and staying nearby in an Airbnb. Dani isn’t thrilled.
Amelia’s dad calls to see how the date went, and she lies, telling him that it went great and they will meet up again. Amelia does have an excuse to meet up because she accidentally took Dani’s leather gloves.
Since Dani’s parents are in town, they hear from Amelia’s father about how good the date went. Amelia apologizes for the misunderstanding, but Dani sees it as a win-win. Amelia can help Dani entertain her parents, and Dani can help Amelia by being a date to the holiday party. They shake hands on the plan, like proper lesbians.
They do holiday things that are typical Hallmark fare at first, such as Christmas tree shopping and peppermint creamer. This gets weird when the girls borrow a van and carry a huge Christmas plush bear.
At a Christmas Karaoke party, Amelia feels overwhelmed when Dani’s friend mentions she dated Margo, too. Dani tries to calm her down, but Amelia rushes off, stating that she doesn’t fit in.
The deal is almost over as Dani joins Amelia for the annual Christmas party. It seems like they are getting along even though the plan is ending. Amelia continues to talk about Margo, but Dani doesn’t seem annoyed. (She even makes a Kelly Clarkson joke!) Amelia says this holiday season has been good for her and has gotten her out of her funk. Dani feels the same.
Dani has her showcase, and everyone supports her, even Amelia. Dani’s project shows that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The sponsors are interested in giving Dani a travel grant to take photos worldwide.
Amelia hears about the traveling secondhand and feels betrayed like she did when Margo left her because SHE wanted to travel. Amelia tells Dani it is over; she is a great fake girlfriend. They hug and cry because it is goodbye.
Dani comes clean to her parents about the fake relationship, and they understand. Her mother even apologizes for not respecting her boundaries.
It is Christmas day, and the only thing the fake girlfriends want is one another. Dani works with her friends and family to orchestrate a Christmas Day grand gesture. They set up pictures and the big teddy bear along Amelia’s jogging route.
Dani, while wearing a wild coat, professes her true feelings. Amelia says she feels the same way but became upset when she learned about the travel grant. Dani tells Amelia that even if she goes to Japan, she wants to come home to her.
One of the photos that Dani puts up is a snap she took two years ago of Amelia. They are meant to be. They kiss and then have Christmas dinner with Friends and Family while listening to Cher Christmas. (Even Lesbian’s love Cher! Yay!) They toast to the chosen family.
Note/Stray Thoughts
LESBIANS!?!?! FINALLY!!!
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄🎄 (3 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
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*Photo Credit: © 2023 Hallmark
