What might well have been a beyond-cheesy groaner of a Hallmark holiday movie on this side of the pond instead arrives as a quirky, charming, and ultimately fun comedy-of-errors flick straight out of the UK. Asa Butterfield (‘Hugo’) stars as James, who (in an O. Henry-type twist) tries to surprise his girlfriend at the holidays by showing up at her family’s home, only to find she’s had the same idea and landed at HIS family’s house. The saccharin is kept at a minimum, the laughs mostly hit their marks, and there’s no denying the holiday cheer.
3.5/5 stars