Lindsay Lohan makes a notable return to the screen in Netflix’s latest festive offering, ‘Our Little Secret.’ This comedy strives to redefine Lohan’s image from tabloid subject to movie star, echoing her earlier successes while stepping into the realm of holiday entertainment. After a successful but lackluster comeback with ‘Falling into Christmas,’ Lohan’s journey took a detour with the poorly received ‘Irish Wish.’ However, her latest film, while not a cinematic triumph, stands out amidst Netflix’s holiday line-up, primarily due to the low expectations set by its predecessors.
‘Our Little Secret’ opts for a more polished approach compared to the usual Hallmark fare, drawing inspiration from classic 2000s rom-coms such as ‘Meet the Parents’ and ‘Four Christmases.’ Directed by Stephen Herek, known for his work with Hollywood stars in the early 2000s, this film aims to capture the hearts of those who fondly remember the charm of studio rom-coms. The plot revolves around a deception that feels far-fetched yet is intriguing enough to keep viewers engaged.
The story kicks off in 2014, with Lohan’s character, Avery, and her boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding), embroiled in a heated argument during her surprise going-away party. After Avery declines Logan’s proposal, a decade passes, and both find themselves with new partners, only to discover that they’re all spending Christmas together as their partners are siblings.
This set-up leads to a series of comical misadventures involving mistaken identities, accidental consumption of edibles, and embarrassing situations that, while not always hilarious, maintain a brisk pace that keeps the audience entertained. The cast features a mix of notable talents including Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes, and Kristin Chenoweth, whose performance as a sharp-tongued mother adds a spark to the film.
While Lohan and Harding showcase decent chemistry, the script falls short of delivering clever humor or innovative storytelling. As the year comes to a close, one can only hope that future comedies move past overused tropes like accidental drug consumption, which can detract from the overall experience. Nevertheless, ‘Our Little Secret’ offers a charming, if not groundbreaking, addition to the holiday comedy genre, available now for streaming on Netflix.
