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We watched Holiday in the Wild and had so many thoughts…

Nov 19 2019 by Romance.com.au writer

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We watched Holiday in the Wild and had so many thoughts…

Holiday in the Wild is meant to be a Christmas romantic comedy. That’s what Netflix wants you to believe – it’s what I want to believe – and whilst there is some romance, some festive spirit, some smiles (I can’t recall laughing once during the film) it’s actually not bad. Sure, there’s some cringeworthy moments, but I still enjoyed it. Would I watch it again? Probably not. Would I recommend others to watch it? Definitely.

Forget the bad boy image of Billy Hicks from St Elmo’s Fire or the smooth Sam Seaborn from The West Wing – this is Rob Lowe, rockin’ the khaki. Although the jury’s still out whether he’s trying to channel Indiana Jones or Mick Dundee? There’s a heroine, of course – it’s a romance, remember? – and she’s one of those girls from Sex and the City. Harlot? No, that’s Samantha. It’s Charlotte. AKA Kristin Davis.

THE PREMISE

Kate and Drew Conrad are the quintessential modern couple, living the urban life in New York, with their son who’s about to leave for college. Sounds perfect, right? WRONG!

THE REALITY

Drew blindsides his wife by announcing he’s no longer in love with her – right after they bid goodbye to their son – right after Kate decides to surprise him with a second honeymoon to Zambia – and with Christmas just around the corner! Oh joy, you emotionless twat, can you time this any better?

THE DECISION

What’s a gal to do? Go to Zambia alone and embrace the solitude of a sun-drenched vista, wild animals, and a 5 star resort. Cue the champagne, yes!

Didnt See That One Coming Surprise GIF from Didntseethatonecoming GIFs

THE NEW GUY

Yes, it’s Rob Lowe or Derek as he’s technically known in this. He’s at the bar and notices Kate sitting alone, and they start talking, until Kate confesses her situation quite indignantly, and flees quite miffed. Derek seems nonplussed – he doesn’t know this woman (yet) and she left behind an untouched seafood platter. Score!

THE AHA MOMENT

The next day Kate is leaving for another resort and – cue the gasps of surprise – Derek is the pilot flying her there! They hit the skies, and everything seems to be going fine, until Derek unexpectedly decides to land the plane in the middle of nowhere, jumps out and tells Kate to stay put, then takes off! What’s a gal to do? You follow the man into the wild – yes, go girl! Ignore those wild animals roaming free, who might look upon you as the $10 Wednesday night steak special!  

THE SECOND AHA MOMENT

Derek has spotted a distressed baby elephant whose mother has been killed by poachers – cue the feels because it’s a baby ORPHANED elephant for Pete’s sake! I SERIOUSLY cannot cope! A rescue team arrives and Kate realises she’s about to be abandoned when she remembers she’s a veterinarian! Or she was a veterinarian, many moons ago. Well…duh! She was just living the urban life temporarily until the animals decided to call her back!

A NEW DESTINATION

Hi-ho! Hi-ho! It’s off to the Elephant Sanctuary we go! Kate is amazed by the sanctuary – I am amazed that I am actually liking this movie – and she starts to settle in, which means she gets to see Derek a lot! Oh, and the baby elephant of course! Baby is given the name ‘Manu’ – no, it’s not because they are MKR fans – it means ‘second son’, and Kate looks after him, sleeping alongside him, and waking to that adorable wrinkly, little – er big – face, every day until he gets better!  Cue the feels again, folks!

Elephant Smart Animal GIF from Elephant GIFs

THE OTHER WOMAN

Of course, there’s someone else in Derek’s life. This is a romance, and there must be angst, dammit! She’s blonde, gorgeous, and she is part of the foundation that funds the sanctuary. The actress is not the best, but I’ll cut her some slack as it’s only her 3rd role ever (did someone say budget?)

THE MANY AHA MOMENTS (in bullet form because you get the drift)

  • Kate receives divorce papers and is upset. I reckon she’s thinking about losing a killer New York apartment rather than the emotionless twat of a husband.
  • Her relationship with Derek intensifies. They talk about their lives, and other stuff, and we discover Derek’s hobby is art and – I’m shouting at them to shut up and just kiss each other!
  • We’re reminded it’s a Christmas movie as they decorate the grounds.
  • Human son, aka Luke – not Manu – surprises Mum with a visit then drops a bombshell that he wants to give college the flick and become a musician.
  • It’s still a Christmas movie because the budget has extended to lights and a tree!
  • The Other Woman – can’t remember her name and don’t care the least – discovers that Derek has drawn a portrait of Kate. Cue the bad acting for outraged.
  • Derek breaks up with her. Yes, take that she who cannot be named!
  • The Other Woman announces the foundation is cutting funding to the sanctuary. Oh, I remember your name now…bitch!
  • Kate decides it’s time to return to New York, where she gets a job as – surprise, surprise – a vet!
  • Kate discovers that looking after domestic animals is actually boring – or rather the owners of said domestic animals are boring.
  • Derek sends Kate a painting, and it’s her! Looking so carefree, so content, so happy. And there’s Manu in the background!
  • It’s New Year’s Eve – we get the countdown to cement the fact.
  • Kate calls the sanctuary and discovers that it’s about to go under due to the cut in funding!
  • Kate saves the day! By starting a fundraising campaign, and selling her apartment, and all of her stuff, thus sending lots of big, fat cheques to the sanctuary.
Point Out Check It Out GIF from Pointout GIFs

THE WAKE UP

Kate realises where her true heart lies and buys another ticket to Zambia – one way, thank you very much! She goes back to the sanctuary and to Manu and Derek, and they get married – Kate to Derek, not Manu because that would be a whole other movie! –  and it’s a perfect ending.

UNTIL…THE GOODBYE WE KNEW WAS COMING BUT STILL AREN’T QUITE PREPARED FOR

Manu must return to the wild, and my heart is breaking as Kate and Derek say goodbye before sending their ‘son’ away.  Okay, okay, I cried, but he’s still a baby, and there’s poachers out there, and I don’t want him to leave, and I’ve lost the remote, and my dignity.

Not Get Too Attached Wisdom GIF from Notgettooattached GIFs

** Too late **

IN CONCLUSION…WE ALL AGREE WITH ROB LOWE

By Jo-Ann Milne.

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