(2024, 85 min)
Country: USA
Director: Jake Helgren
Studio: High Tea Productions
Language: English
SYNOPSIS: Wilde has just sold his company, but facing the holidays as a single man, he decides to swap houses on an LGBTQ app with handsome, Brilfax-bred Oliver. In their efforts to escape their woes, each end up meeting respective handsome locals in the forms of Julius and Henry, who will spice up their visits. In the process romance ignites in both sunny L.A. and a charming, snowy town called Brilfax.
REVIEW:
Overall, “The Holiday Exchange” is a compelling new rom-com starring Taylor Frey and Rick Cosnett. It is filled with a lot of heart, soul, and wit; moreover, the screenplay is structured, subtle, and uplifting.
Jake Helgren should be commended for his vision and solid direction, and the same holds true for Frey as both an actor and screenwriter. Kyle Richards is effervescent as Lola Williams, Wilde’s mother. Taylor Frey and Rick Cosnett have great chemistry together, and their affecting rapport allows for more resonance. In fact, everybody in the cast is impressive in this movie, and they all elevate themselves collectively.
This movie is feel-good escapism and it ought to be enjoyed for its beauty, authenticity, and simplicity. “The Holiday Exchange” garners 4.5 out of 5 stars.
--Reviewed By Markos Papadatos, Digital Journal (https://www.digitaljournal.com/)
