Christmas in the Caribbean
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Christmas in the Caribbean
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Christmas in the Caribbean is a romcom about a woman -- played by Elizabeth Hurley -- who is jilted at the alter and jets off on a vacation with her two best friends. There is lots of drinking and a character is shown mildly drunk. Sexual references and innuendo are frequent, plus some kissing. The film has some stereotypes around women "letting loose" on holiday together, drinking and flirting with barmen, and the handsome Italian love interest, Alessandro (Edoardo Costa), being a good chef. There are references to the death of a wife and mother. The story is generic and predictable, but may appeal to teens upwards who enjoy an easy, unchallenging festive romcom.
What's the Story?
In CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN, Rachel (Elizabeth Hurley) is left at the alter by her actor boyfriend. She decides to get away from it all by taking her best friends, Amanda (Caroline Quentin) and Rebecca (Nathalie Cox), on what should have been her honeymoon in the Caribbean. There she falls for handsome restauranteur Alessandro (Edoardo Costa). But is the dream romance too good to be true or has she finally found her happily ever after?
Is It Any Good?
This is very much a film for only the most dedicated lovers of a festive romance. Christmas in the Caribbean is a production that could have safely offered an easy, fun ride. Unfortunately it is let down by a mix of stilted acting, strangely paced editing, a script full of clunky dialogue and exposition, and a predictable story lacking in any real dramatic peaks.
Much of the film feels like going through the motions, with even the reliably warm and funny Quentin failing to muster her usual charm, and Cox remaining fairly two-dimensional beyond her one character trait -- her love of food and drink. But while Hurley and boyfriend number one (played by Ray Fearon) fail to muster any chemistry to the point that their kisses feel physically awkward, it actually serves to make the main romance more believable. Costa is perfectly cast as Rachel's new beau, a "dreamy" Italian chef, who's a dedicated family man on the side. It's generic, but it works as much as it needs to, and it's as much down to how watchable and likable Hurley is on-screen. That she still manages to capture attention amid a production that struggles almost everywhere else is testament to her presence and charm.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of friendship in Christmas in the Caribbean. How was it shown to be important to the characters, and how did the women support each other? Why do you think friendship is important in life?
How was drinking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? Why is that important?
How did the film portray love and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
The movie shows a family that has lost its mother and hints at how it might change with the introduction of a new love interest for the father. Discuss different types of family units and how they might change over time. Can you think of family units that are less traditional in films? How are they portrayed?
The film is set partly in London and partly in the Caribbean. How were the two settings portrayed differently? Was there any change in Rachel between the two locations?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 2, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: December 2, 2022
- Cast: Elizabeth Hurley, Caroline Quentin, Nathalie Cox, Edoardo Costa
- Director: Philippe Martinez
- Studio: Lionsgate Home Entertainment
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some suggestive material
- Last updated: January 4, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Father Christmas Is Back
British Christmas comedy has some language, sexual content.
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Falling for Christmas
Lohan's frothy holiday romance has some mild danger.
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Single All the Way
Kissing, mild language in sweet holiday romcom.
For kids who love festive romcoms
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