Our Little Secret

The rating of 7/10 is perhaps a bit too high, but I just liked "Our Little Secret". You turn on the film and you know perfectly well after the first minutes how it will end - the definition of Christmas cinema. So there are no surprises. This film doesn't revolutionize anything, but it doesn't have to either. It's just a pleasant, warm film.

There isn't even much to write about plot. It's a typical story about two ex-lovers having to pretend they don't know each other, and that makes they fall in love again. Cliché - which is also not a flaw of this film. This is how it was supposed to be and it is.

So it's another light Christmas movie that you watch to cheer yourself up and kill time. What distinguishes it, however, is the humor. These (christmas) films are practically never funny (to me). This one was and I treat this as the best recommendation. There is no complex plot, the characters are interesting at times, but nothing more than "two personality traits and a pretty face" cannot be counted on. Here also without any surprises - which can be treated as a plus, because you turning on this film you get exactly what you expect.

Lindsay Lohan and Kristi Chenoweth shine on screen. They squeeze everything they can out of their roles, and their acting are extremely (by the standards of Christmas cinema) pleasant to watch. The rest of the actors are the background for them - which doesn't disturb the viewing at all. The most important thing for me is that there are no actors who clearly can't act, because it always knocks you out of the atmosphere when someone plays like a dummy.

To sum up - the film as a light Christmas cinema is fantastic choice. It has a few silly things typical of the genre and a simple story and characters, but the film as a whole is pleasant to watch. There are moments when it is really funny, which makes it clear that Netflix has finally managed to make a decent movie with a Christmas tree in the background.

Formulas work. It's why content creation companies, like Netflix, churn out familiar movies starring people on a contract. Sometimes though, the formula breaks down. The script trying too hard for laughs, or an archetypical character, or everyone looking like the movie is an ad for plastic surgery and Botox.

Here we have an awkward situation which just doesn't feel awkward. Add in the evil mother-in-law and cute pets. Shake, don't stir, and you have a mess of a movie which never fits well. Like hammering a jigsaw piece into place.

Not gonna lie, I was hoping the mother in law would turn out to be a vampire. Ageless and all that. But everything about this movie falls flat. I get it, it's hard to show emotion when your face doesn't move.

I am not a fan of cheesy Hallmark holiday movies but last year I gave Lindsay Lohan's holiday film on Netflix a try and did not like it. When this one came a year later at first I was like, "no", but seeing her recent makeover and interviews soon after I changed my mind and decide to watch it.

The first ten minutes are bad due to a cliché and unrealistic script, particularly in a scene where the boyfriend goes off on a childish rant before he and Lindsay's character break up. I almost stopped watching it altogether then but kept watching and in the end I actually enjoyed it.

Lindsay Lohan may have had a lot of labels attached to her past history in Hollywood and her recent ultra makeover might make some people wonder how long that would last. But watching her performance in this movie I must say it's undeniable that she's got a talent for comedy and she does have a charm and special screen presence that made her a star and is still very much with her. Whatever or however her personal life has been like, I enjoy her comedic timings and the way she expresses her character's emotional ebbs and flows.

Maybe I'm a little biased because I've always loved her in Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, and it makes me simply happy to see her comeback on the screen. But the super low ratings and some of the mean-spirited reviews make me scratch my head. I wonder if people removed her public image from her performance in this light-hearted and fun holiday flick that's never meant to be so realistic, thoughtful, or deeply moving... if they would rate it higher? I don't know, but I enjoyed this chaotic but fun holiday flick filled with many interesting characters, decent acting, and the spark of Lindsay Lohan that's still very much alive.

This was a predictable Christmas Hallmark-style romance. But it was an enjoyable flick. It was a little more focused on the rom than the com and I would've appreciated the humor being a little less dramatic. But it was, ultimately, very sweet. Lindsey Lohan was fantastic. I haven't watched any movies from her in years and I know she had a lot of issues with drugs and alcohol during that time, but she is a really good Christmas romance choice for a lead! I don't rate Christmas romances very high, so a 7 is a great score from me.... But I do enjoy Christmas romances. And honestly, predictable is what I want from a Christmas romance.

So I expected another cheesy, poorly acted Hallmark-type movie (like her terrible cheesy Netflix Christmas skiing film where she loses her memory), but Our Little Secret was a surprisingly solid romantic comedy. The dysfunctional family subplot reminded me of The Family Stone and Happiest Season, adding a bit of heart and charm and of course gotta love Kristin Chwnoweth. It's also great to see Lindsay Lohan back in proper movies, and seeing again her comedic acting and charm that originally made her a star. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a cozy, feel-good Christmas movie. Worth watching.