Forgotten Holiday isn’t a movie I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. Perfect for those of us who love the amnesia trope in any capacity, Hallmark honors the classic beats and delivers all the Christmas festivities possible. It might be too early to say this, but I’m already confident this is one of the top five we’ll get this year.
Starring Daniel Lissing as Rob Ashford and Janel Parrish as Kathryn Liu, the shared chemistry is a large part of the movie’s charm. Because they have to work in every version we see, the differences before and after Rob’s accident make it easy to root for them as a couple. It’s also more serious tonally, so both actors needed to bring their A-game in the moments of vulnerability that would ensure we can root for them as a pairing.
Interestingly, the premise is relatively unique here, too. In most cases where we have the amnesia trope, the main couple isn’t always together when the accident happens. Sometimes, it’s a mere crush or an early introduction. Or, in the case of the single greatest rom-com ever made, While You Were Sleeping, it’s not even about the character who forgets. But in Forgotten Holiday, Kathryn and Rob have been dating for over a year, and on the night of his accident, she runs from his proposal. As a result, this dials up the angst in their relationship as we watch them retrace their old steps to bring his memories back.
What’s also fascinating is that Rob isn’t the typical Hallmark hero we get. Often, it’s the woman who’s extremely festive and holding onto every tradition possible, yet here, he’s the one who’s obsessed with Christmas. (Where do I clone him?! Because yes, please.) And it’s also riveting that when he loses some of his memory, he loses these parts of himself, which then showcases how much he’s gone out of his way to impress Kathryn. It’s significant when we look at just how deeply he cares for her and how her fears of commitment clash with the risks she wants to take. Because of these details, we get layers to both their character journeys while the narrative also ensures that their romance feels believable in the long run.
There’s a running joke on social media about how some of these Hallmark relationships might not last after the magic from the holidays wears off, and as a hopeless romantic, I hate to admit that it’s true. Because it’s impossible to believe in every pairing when there’s very little we know about them, yet with Kathryn and Rob, that’s not the case. The audience is on the entire ride with them, and we see the work they’re putting in to understand each other in a manner that showcases that they’re making the right decision in falling in love.
In addition, Forgotten Holiday is a movie that aesthetically looks good. From every piece of decoration in Rob’s house to the quirky sweaters and all their outfits, we get the kind of over-the-top festivities that I want to tune in for. There’s a particularly stunning scene where we look at them from behind before they’re about to watch a movie, and the decorations are unreal in that specific shot. Just stunning all around, the movie shines. The entire cast is also incredible, making the dynamics engaging outside of the main couple too. In other words, this one’s a joy from start to finish.
Forgotten Holiday is now streaming on Hallmark+.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Hallmark