Christmas Is Cancelled is a 2021 holiday romantic comedy film directed by Prarthana Mohan, offering a playful twist on traditional Christmas narratives. The movie explores themes of family dynamics, love, and rivalry, all wrapped in holiday cheer.
Synopsis
The plot portrays Emma (Hayley Orrantia), who comes to realize that her father Jack (Dermot Mulroney), a widower, is in a relationship with her archrival in high school Brandy (Janel Parrish). Emma is taken aback by this news and feels a rush of conflict and confusion as she confronts Brandy and tries to ruin the romance. While Emma interacts with her father, she also feels disdain towards Brandy and finally, learns about tolerance, compassion, and especially, the value of kinship during the festive days.
Cast Highlights
- Hayley Orrantia: Known for her role as Erica Goldberg in The Goldbergs, Orrantia brings charm and relatability to Emma, blending comedy with heartfelt emotion.
- Dermot Mulroney: A veteran actor with roles in films like My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Wedding Date, Mulroney lends warmth and wit to Jack, a father trying to navigate a new chapter in his life.
- Janel Parrish: Famous for her role as Mona Vanderwaal in Pretty Little Liars, Parrish excels as Brandy, striking a balance between antagonistic and endearing.
Critical Reception
Christmas Is Cancelled was met with mixed reviews. The humorous scenarios and actors’ chemistry won some of the critics but some observed its typical rom-com elements. However, it is an easy-going film suitable for viewers who are interested in family-oriented holiday romcoms.
Themes & Cultural Significance
- Family Dynamics:The movie explores the sensitive and at the same time funny side of a parent-child relationship in the event of a parent’s death and the remaining parent finding somebody and dating.
- Holiday Spirit: Though the film is a comical frenzy of activity, it nonetheless, emphasizes that the essence of the holidays is togetherness, and embracing change.
- Modern Romance: It approaches love and relationships from a modern perspective by discussing the issues of generational gaps in dating.
Production Insights
- Director: Prarthana Mohan’s forte mostly consists of making indie films, while this one is Pumitha’s first major vacation feature. Her direction balances the nearness of laugh out loud situations with situations that are truly heartwarming towards the target audience, creating a real and magical holiday atmosphere.
- Screenplay: Piano by Sara Endsley : The lyrics of the song bring a contemporary and funny perspective on family gatherings, celebrations, disputes that may arise in a family and today’s life of young people trying to date.
- Filming Locations: The film was shot largely in Chicago and makes a great use of the city from its Holiday clad winter streets to its indoor scenes and Christmas markets in Chicago.
Cast Achievements & Trivia
- Hayley Orrantia
- Apart from acting, Orrantia is also a talented singer-songwriter. Being a musician herself brings an added charm to her acts; she also has several country-pop songs to her credit.
- In Christmas Is Cancelled, her portrayal as the overly protective daughter has a comical touch due to her determination fused with some vulnerability.
- Dermot Mulroney
- A seasoned actor with a prolific career spanning over three decades, Mulroney has appeared in critically acclaimed dramas (August: Osage County), rom-com classics (My Best Friend’s Wedding), and thrillers (Zodiac).
- His role as Jack combines his signature warmth with a more humorous, laid-back approach, perfectly complementing the film’s tone.
- Janel Parrish
- Known for her layered performance in Pretty Little Liars, Parrish brings charisma to Brandy, making her a character viewers can both love and hate.
- Fun Fact: Parrish has also starred in several Hallmark holiday movies, making her no stranger to the Christmas movie genre.
