Eva (Sarah Fisher) and Jeff (Simon Arblaster) are rival realtors working for the same firm. Eva specialises in selling condos quickly while Jeff is responsible for selling larger properties that often take longer to shift. When a new client comes to the firm to sell their house, they decide that they want both Eva and Jeff to work on the sale, believing the combination of skill sets will result in a quicker sale at a good price. Reluctantly, Eva and Jeff agree to work together and they start to realise that maybe they’ve been too quick to judge one another.
It’s often said that there’s a very thin line between love and hate, and that has formed the basis of many a romantic comedy over the years. ‘Meet Me Under the Mistletoe’ takes that classic plot and throws its lead characters Eva and Jeff into a very uncomfortable situation. While they’re work colleagues, the two have never taken time to get to know each other but their competitive streaks are on display for the whole office to see. Eva wants a leg up from selling condos and she sees their new client as a way to show that she can handle bigger, more expensive properties. Jeff has the gift of the gab but he’s not able to sell as quickly as Eva but he promises he can to secure the new client.
The first half of the movie plays out uncomfortably for both characters. Both Eva and Jeff are forced to let their guards down because they know they can’t afford to let their client down. That inevitably means that their true selves start to show, and the realisation that they aren’t as different as they thought starts to sink in. Outside of her work as a realtor, Eva is a keen writer who wants to get her book published but she keeps that secret from everyone apart from her niece. The film teaches an important lesson about not judging people prematurely, something we’re all guilty of doing, and it shows that if you give someone a chance they might just surprise you.
Having watched a fair few Great American Family Christmas movies at this point, it’s clear that they have a fantastic casting department. The leads of their movies have been spot on this season and ‘Meet Me Under the Mistletoe’ is no exception. Sarah Fisher balances Eva’s ambition and vulnerability well, while Simon Arblaster succeeds in pitching Jeff somewhere between over-confident and secretly a nice guy. The two actors are wonderful to watch together and their chemistry is off the charts.
‘Meet Me Under the Mistletoe’ has a lot of fun with the rivalry between its two leads, and in the hands of such capable actors it’s very enjoyable to watch. The fun here is to see how Eva and Jeff get together, as it’s clear from the outset that they will, and both characters will resonate with audiences. The film doesn’t lean too far into the saccharine, which means it’s a satisfyingly sweet treat that’s perfect for the holiday season.
Cast: Sarah Fisher, Simon Arblaster, Jerni Stewart Director: Robin Dunn Writers: Laura Brienza & Blaine Chiappetta Certificate: Unrated Duration: 85 mins Released by: Great American Family Release date: 9th December 2023
Find out more about ‘Meet Me Under the Mistletoe’ at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/meet-me-under-the-mistletoe/.
