J

Not my usual type of film, but I really liked it. I did. Don't believe the critics, this movie has a lot of heart and a message that I think a lot of folks will resonate with. I figured out the twist almost instantly, but it didn't take anything away from it. Like, this isn't Inception. It's a Christmas comedy film. Go in expecting that, and you won't be disappointed at all. There are some really funny moments in here too. Emilia Clarke is fantastic in this. Her singing is great (who knew Khaleesi could sing?). She literally plays almost every 20-something year old girl I have ever met. I feel like most will connect with her character in terms of just feeling so hopelessly lost and like a total loser that hasn't had life go according to plan. Emilia's performances just seem to just get better and better with age. She lives in the character and it makes you want to see this person succeed and be happy. She has good chemistry with Henry Golding. Henry has a strong performance here as well I'd say. He once again proves himself as a competent leading man. As I said, he and Emilia had good chemistry from start to finish. Almost every time Emma Thompson (who puts on a strong eastern European accent) is on screen, you'll be laughing at something. You'll be thinking about it when you go home and still be laughing about it. What I have to say is that the movie has a lot of heart, and I think that's what surprised me the most. It wasn't this shallow shell of a sort of Hallmark film. There is actually a message here (maybe a couple of them), and they're quite clear. I'd watch it again. Go see it.