The title may have “Christmas” in its title, but don’t expect the banal Christmas holiday film. Dont’ expect something overly joyful and happy. But do know that if you are ready for a film about a father and daughter who realize they need each other than what they think definitely give “My Dad’s Christmas Date” a try.
Click here to watch “My Dad’s Christmas Date” on Amazon
TITLE: My Dad’s Christmas Date
FILM YEAR: 2020
DURATION: 91 Minutes
Directed by Mick Davis
Screenplay by Toby Torlesse, Brian Marchetti, Jack Marchetti
Produced by Loni Farhi, Alan Latham, Philippe Martinez
Executive Producer: Lee Beasley, Karinne Behr, Kirsty Bell, Ruth Cats, Geoffrey Iles, Phil McKenzie, Jamie R. Thompson, Berk Uziyel
Music by Jack Rose, Dom Sky
Cinematography by Ross W. Clarkson
Edited by Frederic Fournier, Luke Smith
Production Design by Victoria Richards
Art Direction: Mike Jones, Beck Whelpdale
Costume Design by Gemma Keenan
Starring:
Jeremy Piven as David
Olivia-Mai Barrett as Jules
Hadar Cats as Emma
Joely Richardson as Sarah
Megan Brown Martinez as Claire
It’s Christmas in York. Jules, 16, knows all she and her dad really need for Christmas is love. Jules attempts to set up her dad online with a girlfriend – what could go wrong? Plenty…
For day 44, we check out the film “My Dad’s Christmas Date”, a film that was released during the first holiday season of the pandemic but more than likely shot before it.
The film was directed by Mick Davis (“Eleventh Hour”, “The Invisible”) and written by Toby Torlesse, Brian Marchetti and Jack Marchetti.
The film stars Jeremy Piven (“Serendipity”, “Gross Pointe Blank”, “Entourage”), Olivia-Mai Barrett (“The Man Who Fel to Earth”, “Soon Gone: A Wind Rush Chronicle”, “Masters of Air”), Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”, “The Patriot”, “Event Horizon”), Hadar Cats, Megan Brown Martinez and more.
And in a way, I appreciated this film because of its realness.
With many holiday films, made to be full of hope and love, we know there are people in this world who are not feeling Christmas and some in pain right now.
“My Dad’s Christmas Date”, despite “Christmas” being on the title and the setting of the film was during the Christmas holidays, this is less of a Christmas film but more of a father and daughter who are trying to relate to each other, but still hurting after the family matriarch has passed away.
Jeremy Piven plays the role of David, a father who has not been the same since his wife Claire (portrayed by Megan Brown Martinez) died in a car accident. He’s pretty much out of it, just working and sleeping and spends a lot of time in silence thinking about his wife.
The only true friend he talks to is his ex-girlfriend, Sarah (portrayed by Joely Richardson).
His daughter Jules (portrayed by Olivia-Mai Barrett) is a daughter who tries to move on with the death of her mom and really has a difficult time talking to her father, considering the way he is at the moment.
So, she and her friend Emma (portrayed by Hadar Cats) decide to setup anonymous dates for her father.
But going for a cliche of man dates and finds the woman of his dreams and life, the film doesn’t sugarcoat things, nor does it try to become a fairytale.
The film is about a father in pain and doesn’t know how to be a father for his rebellious teenager. Emma is very smart, in the church choir but also has a guy she is interested and really likes.
But aside from her friend, she has no one to talk to about her emotions and personal thoughts. Her mother was her main source of emotional connection and without her, it’s been tough. And with her father, there is no connection, especially now that he is in a dark place and in so much pain.
I recommend this movie for those who don’t want a Christmas film that is happy and cheerful but more real about people in pain. It’s not utterly depressing or bleak, but it is what it is. And many people in this world, don’t always have the greatest Christmas and for some, it’s a difficult holiday time.
The title may have “Christmas” in its title, but don’t expect the banal Christmas holiday film. Don’t expect something overly joyful and happy. But do know that if you are ready for a film about a father and daughter who realize they need each other than what they think definitely give “My Dad’s Christmas Date” a try.
