Holiday in the Vineyards

I came across this little gem on a Sunday evening, when the thought of Monday morning could be made worse by watching a heavy foreign film, or a badly scripted movie or series. From the beginning I was taken by the leading man, the rich spoilt kid who doesn't take responsibility for his life and is forever being berated by his hard-core business oriented mother. Of course, the plot is predictable. When his mother wants to buy a vineyard using underhanded methods, she sends her wayward to son to spy on the vineyard, under the guise of a lowly normal person. Of course he meets a girl, of course he changes, buts that's what we want from our rom=coms - what elevates this one is the witty, sincere script and the lovely performances. Omar Gooding, was a joy to watch as was the rest of the cast.

I thoroughly enjoyed. Good Sunday evening fun!!!!

If you're looking for a fun, feel good rom com to take your mind off reality for a couple hours you've found it. You've got a talented cast (even the kids seemed to be pretty good actors for kids in a movie like this), a fun if familiar storyline and some great dialogue. The two main actors are definitely up and comers and definitely worth checking out. This movie won't change your politics or cause you to question any of your major life decisions, but it's a couple hours of fun that flies by like a Christmas party with old friends. If you are into rom coms you should definitely give this one a watch.

Even if you don't drink wine, this is a solid, fun rom com just in time to take your mind off the dystopian disfunction that is the modern world, and most of what Netflix puts out. Like all rom coms it is predictable but it is also fun along the way. The performances and execution are top notch. The male lead is great. He is funny and convincing. And his eventual love interest has the charm and spark of a young Salma Hayek, (sans juggs). They even a have a real housewife of somewhere. I don't like those shows but I'm happy to see one of them channeling all that drama up onto the big screen where it worked well. And have to admit it, she was good. All in all this is a fun flick worth checking out.

Stumbled across this movie and settled back thinking it would be another formulaic holiday rom-com. It was very watchable with a script that was good. Most of the dialog was actually good, it wasn't typical sickly sweet Christmas movie drivel. The cast can act, I wasn't familiar with all of them but they can act, especially the leads Josh Swickard and Sol Rodriguez. Josh Swickard is good doing comedy, I'm surprised he's not a Hallmark regular. Omar Gooding was good as Moe Walker, hardware store owner and part time garagiste. The two young actors playing Fer and Santi are very good. The setting apparently is Santa Clarita, CA unlike so many of the holiday rom-coms that are filmed in Canada.

Kudos to the cast, writers and director. It has flaws but it's well worth watching.

Isn't this basically the same as A California Christmas?

Regardless, I quite enjoyed the film.

I liked the leads, and their personal development was believable and not exaggerated. Also the kids, for once, were not annoying, kudos to the young actors.

There was actually some decent comedy. And there was bit more heart, warmth, diversity, and realistic emotions than usually.

Christmas bonus (points) because it wasn't the woman who has to swap her career for small town living - which the usual annoying trope.

And since I enjoy a good glass of red at Christmas, the wine-making plot worked just fine for me.

All and all, a very pleasant way to pass out the time.