The Holiday Dating Guide

I've watched a few movies based on a guy being coerced into a bet to win a woman in a matter of weeks with it implied that the guy betting isn't going to get emotionally involved. I can't remember one where the woman makes the bet. Not exactly a bet, more like a challenge, but it's the same thing.

The lead couple has a meet cute with a spilled drink. (Actually they sort of met earlier when he spotted her do a victory dance outside a cafe.)

Abigale is super confident. Since she is a dating coach, she should be, but at first it seemed like too much. We quickly find out that she is actually a lot of fun and what seems like arrogance is more like playfulness. This takes what could have been just decent story and focuses the viewer on Abigale having fun with Michael. It's not surprising that Maria Menounos and Brent Bailey have great chemistry.

About half way through, we learn that Abigale is a little to obsessed with following rules and that promises to be important.

There's a nice twist at the 3/4th point. It's really too bad that the next development was ruined by a crucial letter that was wrinkled so I couldn't read it despite pausing it. What follows is predictable in a general sense, but maybe with another little twist.

The relationship between Abigale and Michael is what made the movie enjoyable for me. The ending is icing on the cake.

The plot was cliche which is expected but the arrogance of the lead actress Abigail just killed my interest in the movie. Tried to ignore it but she was too much. I wish the barista didn't hand her an empty cup and wish she didn't try to be shy after that ridiculous victory dance - it was mildly annoying. Even towards the end, when Michael talked to her, the way she responded was not IT. I felt irritated the whole time and was compelled to actually write a review so other people do not torture themselves. Loved the classic car and the small Christmassy town feel but disliked all the lying involved - the means doesn't justify the end really.

The Holiday Dating Guide was a great Holiday movie that the entire family could watch together. It was even better that it was filmed in a small town. I hope they create more movies like this one. Our society has drifted away from family movies. I think it's very important for more of these movies to be made. We had our entire family and friends come together and watch this movie. Everyone of them enjoyed the movie and we all enjoyed our time together. It made it even better that there was no curse words in the movie, so we didn't have to worry about the little children watching it. Way to go!!