Holiday In Handcuffs

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Melissa Joan Hart in "Holiday In Handcuffs"

"Holiday In Handcuffs" (ABC Family)

The ABC Family Channel kicks off its holiday season of offerings with a cute original movie titled "Holiday In Handcuffs." Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez are the stars of the show and they make a convincing couple, believe it or not. This is due to their acting skills and not the way they look in the show.

Hart plays Trudie, a young woman who is supposed to be bringing her boyfriend home with her for Christmas. But Trudie's boyfriend bails on her so in desperation she kidnaps a complete stranger. His name is David (Lopez) and Trudie thinks he fills the bill.

When she gets him to her parents' mountain cabin she manages to convince her family that he is Nick, the missing boyfriend. David tries to tell them otherwise but they don't believe him. Getting over that hurdle is the first step in putting logic behind you.

The parents (Markie Post and Tim Bottoms) like David/Nick a lot. They welcome him into the family. They think Trudie has found the perfect man for her. But there are a lot of surprises their kids have in store for them. Trudie's brother and her sister both have some secrets they want to share.

Lopez looks and acts great in this movie. He is all dimples and you can see why Trudie would fall for him. He also has the dorkiest haircut around. Hart is klutzy but cute. It is to her acting credit that you can believe Lopez' character would fall for her.

Post is fun to watch, and Bottoms could make a career as a George Bush lookalike. June Lockhart makes an appearance as the bitter grandmother. She plays the role with enthusiasm but it is not much fun to watch.

The film has some profanity and some adult situations in it so it is not totally fine for all members of the family.

Hart and Lopez are a winning team in this predictable holiday comedy. Mario doesn't get a chance to dance but he still is a winner.

"Holiday In Handcuffs" premieres December 9 at 8PM on ABC Family.

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