A Holiday I Do

As a screenwriter, I never know if the story I put on paper is going to come out in the finished product, but this team did not disappoint: it's exactly the light-hearted, somewhat formulaic, family-friendly Hallmark-style Christmas film the LGBTQ community has been waiting for! Sure, there are tropes and yes, there's Christmas magic in the Givens family. There's unlikely love and amazing community togetherness, a sleigh and a classic meet-cute. But it also digs into some interesting relationship dynamics when it comes to love after divorce, and a relationship when you are spending your time between work and your child. I hope you all watch and just enjoy it with a cup of cocoa (splash of Bailey's optional).

While this film isn't groundbreaking in terms of its plot or story arc, it offers an enjoyable holiday romantic comedy and creates dynamic character relationships that aren't limited to stereotypical tropes.

The cinematography is great. The film makes excellent use of color saturation and contrast to create a bright Christmas cheer throughout. Oftentimes, films set in winter can end up with a bit of a grayed-out drab look, but the lighting and color in this film really accentuate the magic of the season.

I thought Lindsay Hicks was a capable lead, and showed good range, and Joe Piazza does a great job as a compassionate ex-husband who is now Jane's best friend. One of my favorite aspects of this story is that it presents a side of divorce that is underrepresented in media portrayals in which the couple separates amicably and maintains a good relationship raising a child after the divorce. Nearly every portrayal of divorce in films tends toward a nasty separation, so I thought this dynamic was refreshing. Despite the close friendship between the two of them, Jane and Mark's relationship is also fraught with complications and struggles as they both try to move on but also maintain a plutonic closeness.

Perhaps my favorite scene of the movie was the visit at the Givens family house, as Dale Dobson (Mr. Givens) steals the show as the quirky man of the house, telling a captivating story about Jane's father.

This isn't a perfect film, but I don't think a film has to be perfect to get a 10 out of 10--it just needs to set out what it was intended to do and be in the top 10% at doing so. The musical score is inconsistent and oftentimes inserts itself in too many places when the scene could use a bit more space to breathe. The character of Heather Adams (India Chappell), while acted well, was a bit too much of a stereotypical "bridezilla". The plot of losing the family farm to the greedy bank is also a bit hackneyed at this point.

That said, A Holiday I Do should tick all of the boxes for folks who like the genre, and offers enough above and beyond the average "Hallmark-style" Christmas film that it deserves to be seen by anyone who enjoys a bit of Christmas magic mixed with a romantic spark.

What an amazing, funny, and insightful Christmas movie. It was absolutely fantastic, well written, and most definitely certainly enjoyable to watch. Love the theme behind it. The movie was captivating and well thought out. 10 out of 10 would recommend. The characters in this movie, were like people I would want to be friends with. The love them after that is seen throughout the movie was absolutely well played out and was very natural throughout the actors. After seeing it, I went home and watched it again and again. Have sent it to a few of my friends to suggest them to watch it. Should be put on mainstream TV.

I enjoyed this movie very much, for the open acceptance of our differences, and the sharing of love by embracing others with open arms for the light they bring to our lives. The story is simple and relatable and shows the strength and resilience of the human spirit with the Christmas Holiday as a backdrop. It is a new holiday MUST for me and my my family. Bravo to all involved-the cast was great and the production value was excellent. I hope it will be shared on all the mainstream networks and streaming channels, as the story is universal and there is something for everyone inside the Christmas gift.

I so enjoyed this holiday film about relationships of love, family and friends. "A Holiday I Do", was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits and put a smile on my face. We need more movies like this one.

I thought the actors did wonderful work and the story was very enjoyable, relatable and current, thanks to the writing.

I purchased this movie so I can enjoy it again with family and friends over the holidays or anytime of the year.

I truly wish this would have been delivered to a larger audience. Amazon, Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix.....where are you?

Thanks for making this film and for showing that all love is love.