The leads may be likable in this new romantic comedy from John Whitesell (Deck The Halls) but rancor apparently passes for ripostes.
Holidate stars Emma Roberts (nearing 30) and Luke Bracey as Sloane and Jackson who get together for many special occasions between New Year’s Eve (after a Xmas returning meet-cute) and days before Santa comes to town. Because of the aggravation in their lives either from attachments of family.
An unpleasant shallowness spreads quickly through this affair as the set-up of notable platonic meetings won’t turn out as planned, punctuated by plenty of alcohol. Exes will pop up in complicating fashion fro these folks who have a cynical, snarky attitude about relationships.
There’s a firecracker incident an uncomfortable gastrointestinal issue for a character that underlines a salty crudeness. Atlanta passes for the Windy City here with supporting turns in Tiffany Paulsen’s tweaking of the genre template by Andrew Bachelor, Jessica Capshaw. Frances Fisher as a pushy mom, and notably Kristen Chenoweth as an oversexed aunt who introduces this plus one concept.
This unenterprising feature has more small-screen quality than intended as it finally sings to a familiar ending. But, hardly a treat implied in the title as it may roll more eyes than Sloane’s.