It took me until the end credits to recognize Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester in the lead role. Meester, along with the rest of the cast, are what make the film excel. Director Jonah Feingold gets the most out of a simple story, written by Dan Steele.
I cringed when the movie opened in Los Angeles – the worst setting for a Christmas story. But we quickly adjourn to a snow filled quaint town for the duration. Ali (Leighton Meester) and Graham (Robbie Amell) have broken up. Through some miscommunication, they both end up at Graham’s family’s house for the holidays. That’s really all you need to know.
“EXmas” is a perfect length at 93 minutes. Robbie Amell surprised me as the best part of the story. I rolled my eyes at first, seeing this perfect 10 guy lament being dumped. But his immense humor and charm made me a fan by the end. Amell and Meester share the screen and work well off each other. We know they were once in love. Something caused them to break up. And we obviously know they will reconcile at some point. But the movie is full of laughs as it heads towards its predictable conclusion.
Michael Hitchcock and Kathryn Greenwood play Graham’s parents. Veronika Slowikowska and Steven Huy play the siblings. Thomas Cadrot and Donna Benedicto play tempting love interests.
“EXmas” is a great version of what we all know its supposed to be. Cheesy jokes, predictable plot, unreal characters. It rules, and I want a sequel!
“EXmas” can be streamed on Amazon.
