The Fight Before Christmas

The premise of breaking up a relationship between dad and a free-wheeling woman has been done a few times, but I don't remember ever doing it where that woman is the daughter's high school classmate and neighbor. I found that aspect to be taking it a little too far. It was hard to root for Brandy.

This story had some good moments, especially if you like a revenge trope, and there were great possibilities. There were also some cringeworthy moments. It seemed like there wasn't anything upbeat in the whole movie except maybe the inevitable outcome.

Emma, the daughter, definitely shows a very unlikeable side, even mean. While I didn't like this aspect of her personality, I identified with her feelings was behind her in principle, to a point. She had very mean moments. Brandy becomes a sympathetic character.

Usually in a movie with this kind of premise, the guy that the daughter picks as an ally turns into her romantic interest. Yet Hayley Orrantia and Michael Naizu had very little screentime together. There was no valid explanation for the relationship they develop.

I'm pretty sure this is not a Hallmark movie. It gets pretty crass at times, including the language and there is some heavy petting with minimal clothing.