Review of Holiday in Handcuffs

Trudie Chandler (Melissa Joan Hart) is a poor NYC artist who works as a waitress to make ends meet. Unfortunately, her parents (Markie Post and Timothy Bottoms) are stuffy, rich, and demanding. With the holidays coming, Trudie feels glad that this year she will be bringing a boyfriend along, for her parents are forever hounding her about career AND marriage. And, because her mother likes hair that is "out of the face", Trudie gives herself a tight perm and dresses conservatively for the first big get-together with the folks. Bad luck, however, arrives. Her boyfriend turns out to be a rat, who dumps Trudie on her last afternoon of work. Knowing she has to face her parents in mere hours, Trudie goes a bit "nuts". Pulling out an old, antique gun, she grabs a very cute customer, David (Mario Lopez) and "kidnaps" him for the journey ahead to her parents' upstate New York home. Naturally, he is fit to be tied, no pun intended, as Trudie secures his hands and feet in the car. Things do not improve when they get to the Chandlers grand home but, because the house is isolated, the weather is snowy and cold and Mrs. Chandler has forbidden cell phones for the holidays, he has no choice but to play along. But, once Trudie has her hair redone by her sister, begins to dress more attractively, and reveals her true sweet self, David discovers that he may have eyes for the young artist. Can you really fall in love with your kidnapper? This film is truly made for the insatiable romcom fan, of which I am one. It is totally implausible but totally irresistible at the same time. The actors, too, are quite fine, with Hart, Post, Bottoms, June Lockhart, and the rest making the most of their "stilted" characters. As for Lopez, he is the true star, for he is incredibly handsome, funny, and sensitive. The scenery in upstate New York is lovely, the costumes are well chosen, the script is absurdly snappy, and the other film amenities more than adequate. So, romantic comedy lovers, if you don't get cable (this was originally an ABC Family film), try to find this one before the next holiday rolls around. No one will have to handcuff you to the sofa, for you will be completely enthralled with this tale of Xmas love.