Christmas with MeetCute

Holiday Movies: The Diachotomy of fiction and real life

The holidays are upon us and you know what that means…last minute shopping, time with family and friends, riding around at night judging everyone’s Christmas lights…and Christmas movies! There is nothing better than snuggling by the fire with a hot cup of coco (or Cajun Eggnog) and watching your favorite holiday movie. Whether you are traditional with Miracle on 34^thStreet or a naughty elf with Bad Santa– there is nothing better than a good holiday film to brighten your day. For me, I quite like it all. However, my favorites are holiday rom-coms. Now I’m not talking those cheesy Lifetime films, I’m talking the other unrealistic Hollywood blockbusters; The Holiday, Four Christmases, The Family Stone…and who can forget the ever-enduring Love Actually.

Every year I watch these films and in the depths of my soul wish I had the type of holiday they have. I so wish I could switch places with someone and move across the world for a two-week holiday and fall in love in the middle of the snow and live happily ever after with the woman I bumped into at the grocery store. I mean honestly how ridiculous is that. But isn’t that why we watch these films? It’s an escape from our own, sometimes miserable, life.

“It’s the perfect escape. Seriously, Hugh Grant in Love Actually. Diane Keaton in The Family Stone…The Santa Clause. Come on…they are classics.” Erica Falgout…film connoisseur…bff!

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but I also know that it can be a sad and lonely time for many. Holiday movies help us cope in the happy and sad times, but is this bad for our mental health? Does it create un-realistic expectations for our normal, mundane lives? Or, is it actually positive for our mental health?

According to Geoffrey Peel, a researcher at Savannah College of Art and Design, he cites social cognitive theory for how people perceive rom-com’s in general. “Social cognitive theory suggests that individuals may actively observe media portrayals of behaviors in romantic relationships for insight into how they themselves could behave in their own relationships”

It is true. There are so many times I hear, “I wish my life were like a movie.” And as appealing as it sounds, there is something to be said about. Going through a hard time and coming out the other side a stronger, better individual. Sure, some holiday films are cookie cutter, but in recent years the writing has gotten better. People live through life.

This must be how Hallmark Holiday films have survived and become such a cultural phenomenon. The other day my mom was a Hallmark Christmas movie and I asked her, why, with all the snark I could muster up. She simply said, “It’s an escape from my hectic life. Why not look at perfect for a little while.

At the end of the day, I think that is what we all need during the holidays; a little perfect. Whether that be classics or Hallmark cookie-cutter fluff. So go forth and watch Christmas movies…it’s good for you.