by Noella Noelophile®
Uh-oh. “Catfish” for Christmas!
And not the swimming kind.
That’s the premise of Netflix’s new Christmas movie, “Love Hard”, a good-time romantic comedy with some take-your-breath-away-gorgeous Christmas settings.
As in many comedies, plausibility doesn’t figure largely in the story line. But that’s a “Scroogey” consideration–this is about having fun!
At the start of the film, single protagonist Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrow) is navigating the dating waters in L.A.
That pretty much sums it up, right there.
Her search for The One on dating apps produces predictable results. Natalie gathers a major following in the digital publication for which she works, as she regularly updates readers on her latest romantic disasters.
But then…as she scrolls through a dating app for the nth time…
…A man who could put any Greek god to shame, stares back at her. And she’s smitten.
After a flurry of texts back and forth to “Josh Lin”, who lives in New York, Natalie is determined to pursue her own “happy ending”.
Accordingly, she boards a plane for the East Coast, set to surprise Josh for Christmas. But Natalie gets the surprise–she’s been catfished! Josh Lin turns out to be a shorter, endearingly-nerdy guy, living with his parents. Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) confesses to using his friend, Tag’s, photo so he can get hits on his dating profile.
When a furious Natalie storms out of the Lin house, Josh hurries after her to offer a deal: if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend over the Christmas holidays, he’ll introduce her to Tag. He’ll even serve as matchmaker!
Of course, Natalie accepts, embarking on the mission of becoming Tag’s “ideal woman”. Under Josh’s tutelage, she sets out to learn Tag’s interests, and to make all of them hers.
For all its lightheartedness, “Love Hard” hits some real-life moments of honesty, dead center. Family dynamics, particularly as they relate to the youngest child, are on display at the Lin family Christmas gathering. There’s the loving and indulgent Grandma June (Althea Kaye), and the “can-do-no-wrong” older brother, Owen (Harry Shum, Jr.), as well as the parents who seem thrilled to see their younger son show up with an alleged romantic interest. Anyone who’s been the youngest child will relate to the way the family perceives Josh–as a work in progress! At Natalie’s introduction as Josh’s girlfriend, golden-guy Owen exclaims, “It’s a Christmas miracle!”
There are also the all-too-familiar scenes in which Natalie does her best to fit into Tag’s world. “Seriously, girl?” is something you may find yourself thinking, more than once! Suffice it to say that Natalie is completely nonathletic, while Tag (played with “I-know-I’m-an-alpha-male-but-I’m-still-nice” coolness by Darren Barnett) could be the Original Outdoorsman. Her attitude of, “Oh, I got this” is hilarious but recognizable. (Who hasn’t confused becoming your best self, with trying desperately to be something you’re not–with or without a rude awakening?)
And I found myself wanting to wave a hand in front of Natalie’s face! Josh is cute and funny, while Tag is simply, as commented on in the movie, “smoking hot”. Of course we know where this is headed, as Josh and Natalie’s friendship grows to the point that she helps him re-take his profile pictures. But getting there is the fun that doesn’t always happen in real life.
One stand-out-wonderful scene occurs when Josh takes Natalie’s advice on dealing with his family. He follows her instructions all too well! I won’t ruin it by saying more, except that Grandma June’s warm and believable reaction hits just the right notes.
There are also the breathtaking sets that made me want to decorate our house just like the Lins’. The Christmas lights shining through the snow (OK, as a Southern California transplant I can pass on the “snow“ part!) and the festive decorations add to the overall Christmas-gift feeling of “Love Hard”.
Grab the popcorn and settle in–“Love Hard” is a sled ride to enjoy, at Christmastime or any time.