OUR LITTLE SECRET

US, 2024, 101 minutes, Colour.

Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, John Rudnitsky, Katie Baker, Jack Brennan, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes, Henry Czerny

Directed by Stephen Herek.

One of several 2024 Christmas films screened on Netflix. It is a star vehicle for Lindsay Lohan, following her Irish adventure, Irish Wish.

The film opens, with some animation sequences, indicating the two central characters, Avery, Lohan, and Logan, Ian Harding. She is ambitious in her work, he wanting to propose,her refusing and going to London… And some more animated indications of 10 years passing.

In 2024, Avery is dating Cameron and going home to meet his parents for Christmas. In the meantime, Logan is almost engaged to Cameron’s sister. When they unexpectedly meet, they decide to keep their past relationship secret. Which, of course, leads to all kinds of embarrassing situations, semi-revelations, cover-ups.

But, the most arresting characters in the film is the dominating mother played by Kristin Chenoweth, controlling the household, eccentric manner and speaking, demanding how Christmas should go.

In terms of secrets, there is a revelation that there are all kinds of secret relationships and the guests for Christmas, even Kristin Chenoweth knowing her husband’s affair but carrying on regardless. And she is dominating to her two children. Cameron meeting a friend from the past and… Inevitably…

Audiences may enjoy some farcical situations, Avery eating the special biscuits, blaming the dog, taking it to the vet as a cover, conniving with the vet, eventual revelations. However, the annoying character is the younger brother who spies on everything, demands bribes for cover-ups.

Eventually, revelations, Avery’s father coming to visit (and unexpected genial term from Henry Czerny), great job opportunities for Logan and a romantic ending.

Another Christmas film for those who love the genre to add to their accumulation.