Movie reviews: Hollywood and Indie, specializing in independent comedies, dramas, thrillers and romance.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
The Holiday Club: Movie Review
A delightfully charming indie romance.
The Holiday Club is going to make you feel right at home whether you hate holidays or love holidays. Sam (Mak Shealy) hates holidays – she’s a bit of a loner, feels that something bad always happens to her on holidays, so she tends to keep to herself. Bailey (Alexandra Swarens) loves holidays – she owns her own bakery and every holiday big or small she decorates the store and sells themed cupcakes and cookies.
2024
Directed by: Alexandra Swarens
Screenplay by: Alexandra Swarens
Starring: Mak Shealy, Alexandra Swarens
Their adorable meet-cute is the opening scene of the movie. Sam ordered a party pack of baked goods all for herself and when she is immediately attracted to the owner Bailey who hand-delivered them herself, she pretends she had a party that cancelled. They both know that’s not true. Alas, Bailey has a girlfriend.
The Holiday Club, in its very indie, minimalistic production, is prepared to take you on a When Harry Met Sally queer love journey, complete with references to the rom-com classic and an acknowledgement that they’re friends who will eventually have to test their friendship.
As we meander through the holidays from Valentine’s Day through New Years Eve, the film relies on sharp and witty dialogue and strong performances from its central pair that radiate warmth and chemistry and highlights the inevitability of their romantic relationship. Bailey was in a serious relationship to start the movie, and then Sam met a girl who she disliked but eventually found herself in a relationship with her. We all know they’ll eventually find their way together, all of their friends know it, and they know it themselves, but it’s a journey you want to go on, laughing at each awkward or unintentional obstacle in their way.
It's a minimalistic movie, not uncommon for indie productions, but the dialogue is great, the characters are so cute and they just have such an adorable friendship. There is nothing outside of their relationship; their friends are just there to help provide some structure and advancement in the plot, and the summer holidays aren’t as well defined as the rest of the holidays, but perhaps that’s also because we’ve reached the point in their relationship where they are so clearly more than friends but haven’t crossed that line yet. My favourite scene is when Sam and her girlfriend go on a double date with Bailey and a new girl and Sam and Bailey don’t even notice (but their dates’ definitely do) that they are more excited to see each other and then proceed to spend the entire date only hanging out with each other.
The Holiday Club is an indie gem. A queer romance that has to be added to your rotation because their infectious love will find a way into your heart.
Want a different Christmas movie or just more holiday-themed movies?Holiday Movies
Something Similar But Different:
Last ExMas (2024) - A rom-com trying to find the right balance between comedy and lesbian exes.
