jacksparrow_1700 I went into this knowing that the synopsis of this film was nearly identical to "The Holiday", but I was still curious to compare the two. And the title of this review is pretty much all you need to know. This was a decent movie, the acting is passable, and if I hadn't already seen "The Holiday" I probably would have thought the idea was pretty unique. The problem is that the story lacked the depth and charm that "The Holiday" has. They took elements from the original movie and watered them down. I'll give some examples but just be warned, mild spoiler alert. Two guys suffer major relationship blows right before Christmas and they decide to do a house swap. Now I know house swaps are a thing but they're not really that common. Instead of England and LA, the guys trade their places in New York and North Carolina. The city guy has a difficult time adjusting to country life at first, just like Cameron Diaz's character in "The Holiday". Country boy makes friends with City boy's assistant and the slow-burn romance commences. City boy meets Country boy's sister who is unlike any woman he's ever been in a relationship with. They date, all the while she keeps her son a secret from him. This works in "The Holiday" because you don't previously know that Graham has daughters, so it's a shock (and pleasant surprise) that the girls who are calling him aren't looking for a hookup, they just miss their dad, whereas in "Finding Christmas" you know from the first or second scene that Ryan has a son. City boy's almost-fiancée follows him to the country to get back with him. All of the problems are resolved and both couples spend the holidays together.Like I said, it's an OK film (plus Owen is pretty cute!) but "The Holiday" is so much better. This story is very superficial and bland, but in "The Holiday" you see real character development from all of the characters, especially Iris and Amanda. I am definitely biased because "The Holiday" is one of my favorite movies of all time, let alone favorite Christmas movie.

Christmas-Reviewer BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY REVIEWED ONE FILM AND GET THAT FILM A RAVE. THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I LOVE WATCHING THEM. I AM FARE ABOUT THESE FILMS. Holidays films always seem to be about love and finding your family. This movie is of course all about love. In this film 2 men switch homes for "Christmas" and in the process come out of their shells that they had no idea that they were in. As far as Christmas films go this one is above average. It has its very tender and believable. All the roles are almost cast to perfection. It helps that I do not remember seeing any of these actors in anything before. I was able to buy into their performances. This is a "Romantic Drama" and it is also family safe. Kids under 12 will be bored because nothing gets blown up but blown out of proposition. If you can watch it with the one you love. If you are a guy then watch it with girlfriend. You will thank me later

francesfarmersrevengeonseattle This is an adorable holiday film. The plot is a direct ripoff of "The Holiday" with Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, where two couples suffer breakups at Christmas. Instead, "Finding Christmas" is two dumped but good looking guys from completely different worlds. Through the miracle of house swapping, Sean and Owen adventure completely out of their socioeconomic worlds and personal comfort zones to escape their broken hearts at Christmas. The major differences between this film and it's predecessor duplicate "The Holiday" is the budget, name recognition actors, acting skill set - and this one is set in Manhatten and North Carolina, instead of London and LA. It's predictable, entertaining and, in the never- ending Hallmark holiday movie allure, is all about finding love, happiness and joy at Christmastime. Despite its flaws and JT Hodges' bizarre Ken-doll hairdo, I love this lovely little holiday romp. Oddly, the mostly Canadian actors all seem so uncomfortable with one another. The dialogue is stilted and dreadfully rushed. It's as if the director was twirling his hands constantly to speed up the pace so they can get the entire film before the budget clock stops. Strangely, male lead JT Hodges as Owen, is a country singer in real life. His turn as actor seems the most natural and comfortable of the entire cast. By contrast, female lead Tricia Helfer, who plays Owen's sister, Ryan, couldn't be more awkward if she tried. Fortunately she has great teeth, was a Victoria's Secret model, and is super thin and tall - because her biggest acting skill is hiding behind shy, coy smiles. I admire the fact that the film stylists didn't put a lot of extensions in her hair, and let her look more like a country vet than a former supermodel. I believe the timeline for the entire film is a week or less. In that span of time both leading guys meet and fall for the perfect women, who just so happen to be the two leading girls. The girls are also associated with the two leading men, so it's less confusion all around. You can only wonder how a hot shot NY advertising wizard can stay in NC with a hometown vet, his hearts's love, or the other way around, but that's analyzing the film a little too heavily. Just watch and enjoy it for its simple message and Christmas spirit.

Christina Way to bring in the Christmas spirit and renew your belief that you can find love again.If you enjoyed the book-to movie, "Home For the Holidays",( Debbie Macomber's, "When Christmas Comes"), from the Hallmark Channel, you will love this semi-similar storyline from a male perspective. This film captures the drama and sentiment of a novel without being overly "corny" or obnoxious.There is nothing I enjoy more than a romance story set at Christmas time. Two men, from very opposite styles of living swap places. Each looking to fulfill their lives, they look outside of themselves and their comfort zones...The rest of the story is for you to enjoy, and hopefully, watch year after year, as I intend to do.