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Holidate movie storyline. Randomly meeting at a store return counter introduces Sloane to Jackson. Both tired of nightmare dates (him) and meddling family (her) during the holidays, they strike an arrangement, whereby they meet as a couple only during the holidays to make life at the very least tolerable. Slowly, so slowly, while scoffing at the cliches of romance (and to their surprise), their relationship grows into something deeper.
Holidate is a 2020 American romantic comedy film directed by John Whitesell, from a screenplay by Tiffany Paulsen. It stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Jake Manley, Jessica Capshaw, Andrew Bachelor, Frances Fisher, Manish Dayal and Kristin Chenoweth. The film was released on Netflix on October 28, 2020.
About the Story
Almost 30-something Sloane Benson hates the holidays due to the judgement she receives from her family for being single. Having recently broken up with her boyfriend, her mother Elaine is constantly trying to set her up with a new man, much to Sloane’s annoyance.
At Sloane’s family’s Christmas dinner, her younger brother York gets engaged to Liz, his girlfriend of three months, so Sloane is now the only single person left in the family. Meanwhile, Jackson, an Australian golfer, is stuck spending the holidays with a woman he has no interest in and her parents. His date becomes angry with him for not getting her a Christmas present although they’d agreed not to exchange gifts, so he leaves in frustration.
After Christmas, Sloane and Jackson have a chance encounter when both are returning presents they received. Jackson suggests to avoid crazy and clingy dates, they should make a pact to be Holidates (dates only for Holidays). Though initially reluctant, she decides to take him up on his offer and they end up spending New Year’s Eve together, but have no further contact.
However, on Valentine’s Day, both have another chance encounter where Jackson pretends to be her boyfriend in front of her ex and his young and beautiful girlfriend. They slowly become friends after spending various holidays together.
After Sloane and Jackson become closer when he loses a finger on July 4, he fears he is not good enough for her. So, he tries to set her up with a better date. This leads to a fight at her brother’s wedding, where his and her dates hook up.
While at a Halloween costume party together, Sloane becomes unwell after unknowingly swallowing laxatives. Jackson takes care of her until they end up falling asleep together. They then have sex the morning after, then Sloane’s married sister arrives freaking out about kissing somebody else. Sloane uses it as an excuse to shove Jackson out, much to his dismay.
At Thanksgiving, they fight after Jackson opens up to Sloane and tells her how he feels about them. In the store when Sloane says “Ryan Gosling would never do his own shopping” there is a blurred customer in the background who looks like the actor. Both break off contact afterwards.
Holidate (2020)
Directed by: John Whitesell
Starring: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Jake Manley, Jessica Capshaw, Andrew Bachelor, Frances Fisher, Manish Dayal, Kristin Chenoweth, Nastassia Johnson, Mikaela Hoover, Carl McDowell
Screenplay by: Tiffany Paulsen
Production Design by: John Collins
Cinematography by: Shane Hurlbut
Film Editing by: Emma E. Hickox
Costume Design by: Helen Huang
Set Decoration by: Kristie Thompson
Art Direction by: Andi Crumbley
Music by: Dan the Automator
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Netflix
Release Date: October 28, 2020
Views: 31