Never Been Chris’d
Can’t Hardly Hallmark
This is it. This is the Hallmark movie for those of us who (still young and hip, dammit) came of age with the 90s/early 00s high school rom-com.
You know who you are! You spent your time after school inadvertently memorizing every line in Can’t Hardly Wait, 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, Empire Records, Never Been Kissed, American Pie, etc.
Omg this is our first high school party!
Naomi and Liz are high school BFFs-turned-tech entrepreneurs, back in their small town from the big city (Bay Area, natch’) and soon happen upon their shared high school crush, the titular Chris (Hallstar Tyler Hynes… aka Hallmark Hawkeye).
This movie truly is as though our 90s high school rom-com had a Christmas-themed sequel 20 years later and still included some of the same cheesy elements we all know and love.
There’s a relatively light love triangle that is quickly resolved. And obviously there’s a romantic storyline (hello, this is Hallmark @ Christmas). But ultimately this movie is really about the two best friends who, even after decades of friendship, continue to challenge and love each other. Because your best friend always knows you better than you know yourself.
And it culminates in a full-on 90s style dance in a high school gym.
A few highlights:
“Never Haver I Ever: Christmas Cookie Edition” - Hallmark is never going to go full NHIE, so this was a cute alternative.
90s style dream sequence
Classic Christmas movie tropes:
Big city gal(s) go home to their small town
Ice skating
Ugly sweaters
Gingerbread house decorating
Kissing under the mistletoe
Hot chocolate date
Hanukkah traditions
Christmas ball
You’ll like this if…
You can still quote your favourite 90s teen rom-com.
SCORE: 8/10
Tell me more!
Home for the holidays, BFFs Naomi and Liz reconnect with high school crush Chris Silver. A complex love triangle forms, forcing them to take stock of their lives and find the value of friendship. Starring Janel Parrish, Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, and Tyler Hynes.
