Holiday in the Vineyards

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.

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!!!!

This was much better than expected. Privileged son of a wine family is tasked with a job by his mom -- they are looking to buy a vineyard and "Carter" (Josh Swickard) is to go find out what the bids are going to be. But Carter needs to blend in to get information so he can't stay in luxury. Carter while out scoping runs into the real estate agent with the vineyard listing who also happens to offer him lodging in her guest house, if he will help her fix it up. Long story short she thinks he is a handyman. Of course.... sparks fly.

This was absolutely better than regular Hallmark fare. Josh Swickard, in addition to actually being good looking, has mad charisma (and looks like Colin from Bridgerton). The supporting cast is solid. The only quibble is that the lead actress Sol Rodriguez is not that great and is the deadwood of the story. But still enjoyable.

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.

I love an upbeat festive film but they can be a wee bit twee so I was pleasantly surprised by something that felt relative to today's world and not just a throwback to old school mills n boon romance. Great chemistry between all cast, rounded characters a female lead you could have a good girls night out with, and a very funny (and ripped!) male co-star. Sure there's some schmaltzy bits but hey, it's a Christmas rom com so that's kinda required, but it's all thoroughly entertaining and the script and acting elevated it above the bog standard formulaic afternoon movies which are fine to pass the time, but this is better :-) raise your glasses and sample some delicious festive fun.