Hallmark’s Holiday Mismatch isn’t our usual kind of romance as much as it’s a story about merging two very different families. The film’s enormous appeal comes from seeing Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick back on our screens, tackling realistic perils that focus on the importance of legacy.
Both Barbara and Kath are workaholics, trying to do everything in their power to be great mothers while helping their kids find love at the same time. The relationship between Shane and Lauren is primarily entertaining, but at the end of the day, it’s just fine. Fake dating is almost always my jam, but here, something feels off. It’s a bit too much at times and dramatic, even while they get their happy ending, and it feels right for them to.
It’s as though the writers said what if Romeo & Juliet had dramatic moms and managed to become friends in the end? That’s the part of the film that works most seamlessly. It’s beautiful to see that the chemistry between Rhea and Broderick hasn’t dulled throughout the years because even while they’re bickering, it’s somehow comforting still. How the women start off on the wrong foot and realize that they have more in common makes Hallmark’s Holiday Mismatch a joy ride. The only thing that’s missing is one of them being a black cat owner, but still, we could let it pass.
Through the two women and their friendship, the movie examines what it’s like to leave our comfort zones and how it’s never too late to change our ways. As their kids confront them, both Barbara and Kath understand how important it is to embrace someone else’s ways. There’s no need for redemption here as their differences are nuanced enough to feel believable to all viewers. So, when they both grapple with their reality and how they’ve wronged their kids in the process, it becomes a great showcase of finding a balance between what they want and what’s right.
Adults aren’t always given the chance to apologize on screen, so when we get moments that exhibit how important it is to learn from kids, it makes the story more refreshing. As human beings, we’re constantly growing and evolving, and as mothers, it’s essential for the two women to see that no matter how old they are, there’s still room to become the best version of themselves possible. They can relax and stand up for themselves at the same time. They can learn new things, and they can be surprised.
Like many films this year, Hallmark’s Holiday Mismatch effectively focuses on career-driven characters. This narrative makes way for more heartfelt storytelling and allows the pacing to feel believable. Still, it’s the ending that glistens with a comment about being a witch and a cat woman. This nineties kid let out the biggest squeal, and for that, the film is an unquestionable win. Imperfect? Absolutely. Yet, from beginning to end, it’s thoroughly entertaining with two fantastic women at its center.
Watch Holiday Mismatch on the Hallmark Channel this Christmas.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Hallmark