I was very disapointed that this was another attempt to aim a Christmas movie at younger viewers and have issues that they are not ready to handle. For the Family Channel it was surprising. I think they could have made this a very good film for the whole family without all the sexual overtones that is had. Parents should be warned that this is a movie with topics that need to be discussed openly.
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Holiday in Handcuffs
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Older kids can take romantic comedy's iffy stuff.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–15
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Holiday in Handcuffs
Parents need to know that the main character kidnaps a man at gunpoint and takes him hostage in her car, but the seriousness of the situation (and the absence of realistic repercussions) is offset by the obviously comic tone. A few other scenes involve guns being drawn and aimed, but also in a comedic context. Other iffy stuff includes intermittent strong language (multiple uses of "bitch," as well as "damn" and "ass"), scenes with social drinking (in one, a seemingly drunk elderly woman recklessly backs her car into a tree), a handful of references to sexual activity. But none of this is likely to be new (or particularly shocking) to older tweens and teens.
Read our full review by Emily Ashby
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the movie's implied messages. Is it ever OK to make light of serious issues like crime and drinking too much? Why do comedies rarely show the guilty party facing repercussions for misguided actions? Do their intentions matter? Why or why not? And do you think all viewers can grasp the humor in situations like these, or would anyone take them literally? Could that be harmful? How?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
ok...
it was ok....just ok....<(.n.n.)>k
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
BS
THIS WAS DUMB, BORING, AND CLICHE.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
I enjoyed it. But wouldn't allow my kids to see it
I personally enjoyed the movie. I have been a fan of Melissa Joan Hart & Mario Lopez since I was a teen so it was fun to see them in a movie together. My 11yr old asked if she could watch it but I decided against it. The fact that a girl is kidnapping a guy, it had a little bit of sex talk in it and the drinking wasn't something I wanted her to see. If she was a little older though it would be ok as long as we talked a bit afterwards.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Parents beware: not exactly FAMILY movie
I watched HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS with my 15 year old and found it to be a cute, romantic comedy. HOWEVER, I was very disappointed in the PG rating for this FAMILY MOVIE... something just doesn't add up. There were several NON-family lines and scenes ('because we hadn't slept together yet"... "bitchitus"... police bust in on couple in sexual play w/ man wrapped in a bow
, .... "fantasy for our once a year birthday sex"... ETC.). I feel very strongly that if you are going to plug a movie as a FAMILY MOVIE, that gratuitious cursing, inuendo and blatantly NON-famiy scenes just really don't need to be included. I will not let my 12 year old watch this - what otherwise would be a great little movie - due to the lack of consdieration for what it means to be FAMILY / PG scenes & verbage. PLEASE keep this in mind for younger viewers. - I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
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