Tiffany (Sara Canning) prepares to meet with her long-time crush Brett (Joe Perry), intent on telling him how she feels about him. As she builds up her confidence to be honest with him, Tiffany is surprised when Brett introduces his new girlfriend Matilda (Jocelyn Chugg). Determined to win him back, Tiffany enlists the help of Peter (Marcus Rosner), a handsome stranger she happened to bump into who is also trying to win his former flame back. Pretending to be a couple, Tiffany and Peter put their plan into action but they soon realise that maybe what they’ve been looking for, they’ve actually found in one another.
‘Couple Up For Christmas’ takes a very familiar idea and gives it a Christmas twist. Anyone who saw the hit comedy ‘Anyone But You’, which came out at the end of 2023, will be familiar with the plot of two people pretending to be a couple in order to win back the objects of their affection. While the plot may not be wholly original, the film will win you over with its charm as Tiffany and Peter go from one hilarious mishap to another as they try to successfully carry out their plan.
Tiffany is convinced that Brett feels the same way about her as she does about him, and she doesn’t think twice about Peter when she pulls him deeper and deeper into her plan. What starts off as a seemingly good idea that will hurt nobody, soon spirals into a web of lies with possible hurdles at every turn. What Tiffany doesn’t bank on is that her family and friends will start to fall for Peter’s charms, and even though he’s got his eye on his ex that he’s trying to win back, it becomes abundantly clear that maybe he’s falling for Tiffany instead.
That’s where much of the comedy comes from. Tiffany is so singular-minded that she can’t see what’s in front of her, and she doesn’t take the time to step back and think about what she’s doing. Brett is clearly very happy with the lovely Matilda, but she attempts to put her own wants and desires ahead of everything. Peter isn’t quite as bold as he tries to win his ex Lorraine (Skye MacDonald) back but he goes along with anything that Tiffany asks/demands of him.
Despite the familiarity of the material, ‘Coupled Up For Christmas’ soars thanks to its two leads – Sara Canning and Marcus Rosner. Both actors will be very familiar to both the Great American Family audience and lovers of holiday movies, and they are both excellent here. With impeccable comic timing, a very natural rapport and a slow-building but sizzling chemistry, Canning and Rosner will win you over with ease. They clearly had a lot of fun filming together, and that shines on screen.
‘Coupled Up For Christmas’ is a really fun movie that is perfect for a cold evening where you want to bring out snacks and a blanket. It’s a really easy watch and the two leads are so good, you can forgive any minor quibbles you might have about the plot. The film knows that its premise is a little bit silly but it embraces it and delivers a really entertaining watch. What more could you ask for in the run-up to Christmas?
Cast: Sara Canning, Marcus Rosner, Joe Perry, Jocelyn Chugg, Skye MacDonald Director: Dylan Pearce Writers: Katy Breier & Erica Deutschman Certificate: Unrated Duration: 82 mins Released by: Great American Family Release date: 10th November 2024
‘Coupled Up For Christmas’ premieres on Great American Family on Sunday 10th November 2024 at 8/7c. Find out more at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/coupled-up-for-christmas
