The faux dating trope is certainly no stranger to the TV movie genre, but ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas throws its hat into the ring, likely hopeful to give the idea a fresh spin.
Twas the Date Before Christmas (2024) TV Film Review
Jessie (Amy Groening) loves her family. She does, but sometimes their plans and hers are on different paths. This year, when the unusual Christmas traditions of her family are in danger of changing, she decides she’s going to eliminate this possibility. She plans to accomplish this by bringing a man home.
This brings Bryan (Robert Buckley) into the picture. Charming and kind, Bryan is the man Jessie brings home in for a blind date that involves him pretending to be her boyfriend. The problem is, he seems to play the role a little too well.
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A faux boyfriend, girlfriend or even sometimes, marriage, isn’t newly trending for TV movies, no matter their genre. Twas the Date Before Christmas tries to freshen it a bit, and I think it mostly does. The plot also is culturally present showing Jessie struggling to meet someone, which if stats and headlines are to be believed, is very accurate and relatable.
The movie still uses ask-a-stranger-a-favor, which has been a thing since at least 2012. (When I say I’ve been watching the Hallmark Christmas movies for years, I’m serious, this relationship dates back to titles like A Boyfriend for Christmas, which is also faux dating.) Amy and Robert are entertaining together. Most surprising is that the script gives Jessie a backstory that has heartbreak.
The annoying part of the movie is Jessie’s reaction. I get in theory she has a right to be upset, but realistically, I think it’s all a dramatic overreaction. However, the script does correct this by allowing them to be adults in the next scene. While perhaps not a film that will stick in my mind as a new favorite, ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas is still cute and worth seeing if you love the genre.
Feature Image Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Peter Stranks
Content: There isn’t anything to note outside of the usual TV-G rating. There is some mild innuendo that doesn’t really deserve mention.
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