Nancy Taylor, a divorced mother of three, feels especially lonely during the holidays. All she wants for Christmas is to meet a nice man - even just a nice compliment would make her day. Sensing her sadness, Nancy's little girl, Emily, has a plan to make her mom happy again. She shares her Mommy's wish with shopping mall Santa, Benjamin Armstrong. And Benjamin, who is also a struggling songwriter, knows exactly the right words to say.
I'd rather watch 90 minutes of a flickering yule log video than sit through this overcooked Christmas goose again.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
17 Dec 2007
rotten:
[A] wretched yuletide comedy.
– J. R. Jones,
Chicago Reader,
14 Dec 2007
rotten:
The Perfect Holiday makes the safest, blandest choices possible in delivering some Christmas cheer for the whole family.
– Scott Tobias,
AV Club,
12 Dec 2007
rotten:
Despite the flabby direction and uninspired plot, The Perfect Holiday almost works because Chestnut and Union are an attractive couple and you want them to get together.
– David Wiegand,
San Francisco Chronicle,
12 Dec 2007
fresh:
[Queen Latifah and Terrence Howard] may be a draw, but it's too bad no one thought the endearing performances in this charming (if cliche) family romance would be enough.