Quickie Movie Review: "Holiday Engagement"

Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up
Starring: Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long, Jordan Bridges, and Haylie Duff
Released: 2011

Synopsis: Hillary Burns is happily engaged to Jason, and is eagerly awaiting their wedding...when he drops a bombshell on her: In order for them to wed, he must join her in a move to Pittsburgh, far away from all her family, because of a promotion he is receiving at work.  When Hillary becomes unsure about it, Jason dumps her.  As if that wasn't bad enough, it's almost Thanksgiving, and Hillary's family has been wanting to meet Jason for quite a while.  Not sure what to do, Hillary puts an ad online for a fake fiancé, and discovers David, an out-of-work local actor.  Sure that he can play the part of Jason, they trek to Hillary's parents' house for Turkey Day.  One lie ends up covering another, but, they stop at nothing to make sure that no one discovers that "Jason" isn't really Jason at all.  When the real Jason arrives at Hillary's folks' house, all of the lies end up unraveling...but, is Hillary ready to take him back?
As seen on the Hallmark Channel.

My Review: Before I watched this movie, my mom was watching another Hallmark Channel movie on DVD, and a preview for this one came up.  When my mom saw it, she said it didn't look like a very nice movie; I could see what she was saying, but, I gave it a chance anyway...only to be rather disappointed in more than just the content.  Not only was the sexual dialogue deserving of a "PG-13"--which is not what you'd expect from the Hallmark Channel--but Hillary, the main protagonist, was far too neurotic to be likable.  She came off like Cathy of old-school comic strip fame, only without the humor.  Fans of Christmas movies can do much better than this; seriously, even though I only paid three bucks for it at Big Lots, I'd still say it was a waste of my money...and ninety minutes.  I just wonder: What was the Dove Foundation thinking when they approved this?

Content Concerns:

• Sex: A married couple mentions that they have sex three times a week, and that they spent a week naked after their last kid moved out.  Circumcision of babies is mentioned more than once.  A scene implies sex between two unmarried people.  An unmarried couple sleeps in the same room, albeit in different beds.  A woman mentions she is afraid to be thought of as a lesbian.  A priest makes a remark that is actually a sexual double entendre.  A woman strips down to her underwear and hands a random guy her clothes. 1/5
• Nudity: Shirtless guys; a guy in underwear; a woman in a bra; a woman in a strapless dress; some cleavage. 3/5
• Language: Over ten misuses of God's name, and one usage of the p-word.  Also, some name-calling, i.e., "jerk". 2.5/5
• Violence: None. 5/5
• Drugs: Alcohol is consumed in several scenes.  A woman is seen with a cigarette. 3/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: None that I can recall. 5/5
• Other: The whole movie is about lying; also, the baptism of babies is mentioned. 2.5/5

Score: 1/5