Lindsay Lohan's Christmas Comeback - A Tale of Love and Time
Vanessa Anne Hudgens vs. Lindsay Lohan: The New Christmas Queens
Sabrina Imbler poses a broader cultural question before delving into the film. She feels that in recent years, Vanessa Anne Hudgens dominated the festive film scene. But with Lindsay Lohan's star turn in "Our Little Secret", she might have taken the crown. This leads to a discussion about whether there can be multiple queens in the Christmas movie realm.Alex Sujong Laughlin shares his perspective. He believes the Lohanaissance has been building for a few years and he's here for it. As a tween, he had a strong parasocial bond with Lindsay Lohan. Seeing her back in action after a decade makes him glad to see her doing well.
Luis Paez-Pumar, on the other hand, questions the need to pit the two queens against each other. He's fully on board with the LiLo experience and considers her the queen of the holidays, both real and in a more laid-back sense.
The Animated Montage: A Journey Through Time
Before meeting Lindsay Lohan in the flesh, viewers are treated to a sweet animated montage that details her relationship with her childhood best friend, Logan. This montage sets the stage for the story and shows their friendship turning into romance.Alex points out that every good holiday movie needs a story within a story, similar to "Elf" narrated by Papa Elf. Luis likes the montage as it consolidates important relationships in a short time.
Sabrina is particularly struck by the "passage of time" montage that follows. It goes year by year from 2014 to 2024, pulling in landmark events from each year. However, the choices of events are quite arbitrary and raise some questions. There are several Netflix references throughout, adding to the uniqueness of the montage.
The Modern Lives of LiLo and Logan
After the montage ends, viewers meet Lindsay Lohan and Logan in their modern lives. LiLo is a consultant and Logan is a builder. Luis foreshadows that Logan's job will lead to one of the biggest laughs in the movie.Alex realizes he didn't pay great attention to LiLo's job and is unsure if she's moving back home from London. Sabrina also asks about their past experiences, referring to the actor who plays Logan, Ian Harding, who played a controversial role in "Pretty Little Liars".
The Plot Unfolds: Hijinks and Romance
The plot thickens as LiLo and Logan find themselves at a Christmas gathering, unknowingly dating a pair of siblings. LiLo decides they should keep their past relationship a secret, leading to a series of comical situations.Alex enjoys the one-note characterizations of LiLo's boyfriend, Cam, and Logan's girlfriend, Cassie. Luis loves the family in the movie, especially Kristin Chenoweth as the mom.
Sabrina is excited about the proposal subplot. Logan is working on a "lifestyle community" proposal for his girlfriend's family friend, and LiLo uses her consulting experience to help. The proposal includes interesting concepts like "Exterior Elevation" and "Underwater Treadmill Rehabilitation", adding to the mystery of the community.
The Church Scene: A Moment of Intrigue
LiLo's encounter at the church is a highlight of the movie. After a morning of tree hunting, she eats unidentified snacks and ends up high as a kite during a special reading. The church choir's reaction and the overall chaos create a memorable moment.Alex is confused by the Catholic setting and the presence of a diverse choir. Luis enjoys seeing actors act intoxicated on screen and the movie's handling of the scene without going over the top.
The Cookie Scam and Other Surprises
LiLo's attempt to frame Kristin Chenoweth's dog with a dozen cookies leads to another subplot. Luis is worried about the dog but enjoys the role of Chris Parnell as the vet. Alex loves this subplot as it follows the "Normal Gossip Animal Rule" and adds to the comical elements of the movie.Sabrina also comments on the dryness of the cookies and the overall setup. As the movie progresses, more secrets are revealed, such as Kristin Chenoweth's husband having an affair.
The Grand Climax and Reunion
In the grand climax, everyone swaps partners and Logan's proposal is accepted. LiLo and Logan reunite in her childhood home, where he asks her to try again. A year later, they get married.Luis enjoys the tiebacks to the beginning of the movie and the earned reunion. Sabrina plays a thought experiment based on the movie's moral, wondering if one would move back to their hometown for true love.