Family Friendly

Hallmark has had at least several movies with lesbian romances playing a part as a side story, and in one case, as an equal share of the romance plot line. But this is the first one in which such a romance was the whole focus of the story. And it was really good and well done.

Ali Liebert, a Hallmark favorite in front of and behind the camera plays Amelia who is an attorney on the partnership track at her father’s firm. He is concerned about her because she suffered a broken engagement and is still sad and not ready for dating yet. But he keeps bugging her.  Dani is an aspiring professional photographer who has yet to make her mark. She works at an Artist’s Lab and is trying to live her dream in New York City. She cannot leave to visit her parents for Christmas because she is very busy working on a project that might lead to a Travel Grant.  Dani’s father and Amelia’s father are old friends and set the women up under false pretenses. They get off to a somewhat of a rocky start but have a friendly parting. But then Amelia’s Dad reminds her that she is expected to attend the annual firm Christmas party and bring a date. And Dani’s parents unexpectedly arrive on her doorstep for Christmas. Her mother has boundary issues, but thank goodness they are staying at a B&B, not with Dani in her little apartment. A quick note. Dani’s mother is a world-renowned novelist and her father is a preeminent mathematician. I loved that. It also explains how Dani can afford the very nice apartment. And that she has some insecurity issues to conquer. The women get together again because of a mix-up over their gloves. Things go great this time and they decide to Fake Date to keep their respective parents off their backs. Also, Dani will be Amelia’s plus-one at that confounded Christmas Party.

This is basically the standard fake dating turns-to-real love trope except that…you know. But it’s so sweet! The parents are nice and don’t do anything too dumb. They just love their daughters and heartily approve of the new love interests. Ali and Humberly Gonzales, who plays Dani, seem to have a great rapport. Both are gay in real life. The script is sparkly and witty, the plot and character development kept me interested and the production values are tops. The love between the two women evolves gradually and realistically which is not always the case in Hallmark movies. I really believed their relationship.

All of the actors were great, but Ali Liebert was fantastic. She starts off very stiff and comes off a little cold and intimidating, as she should. The gradual melting of her facade was done very effectively. When it looks like a breakup is imminent (yes, there is the tried and true last-minute misunderstanding based on failure to communicate), she conveys vulnerability and bravery with her nuanced performance. She was very touching and really commanded the screen. I liked that although they were a couple at the end, Dani did not give up her dream of travel (She won the grant). But it is made clear they will visit and Dani will always come home to Amelia.

I am betting that the title of this movie was a gibe at the Great American Family channel which was formed to provide a “family-friendly” alternative to Hallmark’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. I am happy that the network and its movies are doing terribly while Hallmark goes from strength to strength ratings-wise while putting a quality product on the air.