(MILD SPOILER): When this movie was announced, I was beyond excited. The first of it's kind for UK cinemas; an all black leading cast in a holiday rom-com. Now, it's available for US audiences, and it didn't disappoint. Cheers to Aml's directorial debut as well as Leigh Anne's first film role. Aja is always excellent, and it introduced this American to amazing UK talents. The story did have some holes. There were obvious similarities to other rom-coms. The subplot love triangle between the younger brother, the cousin and cousin's girlfriend was (IMO) unnecessary. Still a great, feel good Christmas film. Every time the music kicked up, I couldn't help dancing and feeling the family vibes. It's a first, and I hope not the last.

Especially watching as an American viewer, this movie is so entertaining! If you're looking for a fun, classic, Christmas-time rom-com, this is the movie for you! You see all the classic tropes but infused with black British culture, which is what makes this film stand out from all the others. The acting was actually great, I LOVED Aretha and Georgia together, they were so funny! Super impressed with Leigh-Anne Pinnock's first acting role, Mariane Jean-Baptiste was hilarious, Aja Naomi King definitely stood out, and Aml Ameen did a great job putting together a diverse, funny, and all-around great Christmas movie. I'm coming back to this one every year!

good multi cultural, faux family feuding with lots of love and humor; just what an holiday movie should be!

Full disclosure: I’m a 60 something, white conservative woman and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It reminded me of sitcoms from the 70’s that were smart, presented multiple opinions without bias or malice and NOBODY CARED WHAT COLOR ANYONE WAS!

Honestly, these folks are a full spectrum of shades from almost tan to very dark brown and each is unique and beautiful in their own right, just like God intended. That observation is only from a backwards reflection. While watching the movie, I had zero tho’ts about race; ethnicity, but not race and only because the Haitian accents, food, music and culture was being made a point of in the script. It was fun, funny and totally appropriate in its context.

An ensemble cast does a good job across the board. Good music that reflects traditional holiday fare from both the US & UK and then there’s jazz and island tunes that make the score really eclectic and good listening. There’s nothing special about the cinematography on the positive or negative side.

Relationships and dialogue make this movie and there’s lots of both with plenty of drama, angst, nonsense and twists. It is a holiday film so of course, there is the expected H. E. A., BOXING DAY style🍿

Home, Hearth and Holidays 2021 #32

I love this movie. I love the first proposal and the second. I love that he loved Lisa and in spite of his past with Georgia and strong family connections that Lisa was his "Home". That is a powerful statement, when someone loves you so much that they find their peace, love, joy and forever in you and as beautiful as Georgia was Lisa's beauty and his love her was more powerful.... Watched it twice already and found I missed a lot of hidden jewels in the storyline the first time. Highly recommend it and will most likely watch it again... Boxing Day is my Love Jones for 2021

Excellent writing, superb acting and if you're Caribbean…there are some themes that will be recognizable in your own family. I loved it and will watch again and again.

Oh how this movie enraged me. *Spoiler* It is shocking how terrible the male lead is and how dirty he does Lisa. Especially agreeing to see his ex before leaving to win back "the love of his life." Honestly I wanted a cute, feel good, holiday romcom but this left me really angry. One good thing- Marianne Jean-Baptiste is a shining light

Rich, real, exciting, great characters....
Also loved the music choices, and I particularly love supporting actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

I feel sorry for the lady who wrote in her review she couldn't understand the characters' "dialect". Tsk tsk honey, speaks volumes about who you are.

I very much enjoyed this cute movie. As an American viewer, it was a delight to hear Marianne Jean-Baptiste in her own voice and it was my first time seeing her in more of a comedic role, and I think she did a fabulous job here. I liked that it was light hearted but not one dimensional and that the sub plots were given adequate attention. Even though the leading male character got himself into a mess (as they tend to do in rom-coms) I appreciated that (MINOR SPOILER HERE) he was willing to patch things up and close a door before going after his real love. Overall, very cute, (though I would've loved it more without the unnecessary cursing) and I'd recommend it to anyone 18 and over.