Our Little Secret Review: A Charming Yet Predictable Holiday Romance

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Our Little Secret is a lighthearted holiday rom-com that embraces the chaos of Christmas and the messy dynamics of love lost and rediscovered. The film introduces us to Avery (Lindsay Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding), a couple who seemed perfect together—until they weren’t.

After a decade of separation, their paths cross unexpectedly at Christmas when they find themselves dating siblings within the same family. This awkward reunion sets the stage for a series of humorous, heartwarming, and sometimes cringeworthy moments as they struggle to keep their past a secret. While the movie succeeds in delivering some festive fun, it doesn’t carve out it’s own section in a stuffed genre.

One of the film’s strengths lies in the main performances. Lindsay Lohan shines in moments that demand comedic timing and emotional nuance. Her portrayal of Avery, particularly during the church scene (she gets high in a church) and the veterinary clinic sequence (she eats quite a few cookies), highlights her ability to handle the emotional rollercoaster her character endures. She skillfully balances moments of humor with flashes of vulnerability, especially as Avery navigates the complexities of being thrown back into Logan’s life.

Ian Harding, as Logan, is equally compelling. His character’s mix of reluctance and lingering affection for Avery feels genuine, and he brings a subtle charm to the role. Everyone knows a Logan, and his character feels real. Together, Lohan and Harding share a believable chemistry that captures the bittersweet tension of exes who still care for each other despite their history. The evolution of their dynamic throughout the movie—from wariness to rekindled affection—is a key highlight, adding some depth to an otherwise straightforward plot.

The supporting cast, however, is less memorable. While Tim Meadows and Jake Brennan provide some standout moments, the rest of the ensemble doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. Meadows, known for his impeccable comedic timing, delivers a welcome dose of humor in his scenes, while Brennan adds levity as the family member who seems to stumble into hilarity. Beyond these two, the secondary characters feel underwritten, serving mostly to move the plot along without much individual impact. This lack of depth in the supporting cast is indicative of the film’s broader struggle to make its characters truly resonate with the audience.

Thematically, Our Little Secret touches on growth, maturity, and the ways people change over time. While these themes are inherently rich, the film explores them at a surface level, opting for lightheartedness over emotional depth.

For example, we see glimpses of how Avery and Logan have evolved over the years, but much of their growth is conveyed through dialogue rather than shown in meaningful, impactful ways. This decision undercuts the emotional stakes of their reunion, as the audience isn’t fully invited to invest in their journey. The lack of backstory shown on screen makes it difficult to connect with their pain or fully understand the lingering feelings between them.

The narrative itself is built on a compelling premise but doesn’t live up to its potential. The idea of exes being thrown together in such an awkward and high-stakes scenario is ripe for both comedy and drama, and the film delivers on the former. The situational humour is its strongest asset, with moments of awkwardness driving much of the story’s charm.

However, the movie falters when it comes to emotional resonance. The ending, which should serve as a heartfelt resolution to Avery and Logan’s journey, falls flat due to the lack of emotional groundwork laid earlier in the film. While the final scenes hint at forgiveness and reconciliation, they don’t carry the weight they should because the audience hasn’t been given enough reasons to truly care about these characters. Much of their past relationship is explained through anecdotes rather than shown through flashbacks or meaningful interactions, leaving their bond feeling more like a plot device than a lived-in connection.

On a technical level, Our Little Secret captures the festive spirit of Christmas well enough, though it doesn’t offer much in the way of standout visuals or production design. The various settings contribute to the atmosphere without stealing the show. The film’s depiction of family Christmas chaos feels authentic, with overlapping conversations, clashing personalities, and the inevitable minor disasters that come with large gatherings. This disorganized energy adds to the movie’s charm, even if it occasionally feels a bit unfocused.

The humor, while consistent, is firmly rooted in situational comedy rather than sharp dialogue or slapstick. The awkwardness of Avery and Logan’s predicament drives most of the laughs, whether it’s their increasingly elaborate attempts to hide their past or the inevitable moments when their secret starts to unravel. The comedy is enjoyable but safe, rarely venturing into unexpected territory.

One of the more frustrating aspects of the film is its underutilization of certain plot elements. The subplot involving a business proposal initially promises to add intrigue and stakes to the story, but it’s ultimately left underexplored. Developing this thread further could have added depth to the narrative, giving Avery and Logan’s reunion more weight and providing a stronger sense of conflict. Instead, it feels like a missed opportunity, one of several instances where the film chooses simplicity over complexity.

Despite its shortcomings, Our Little Secret does capture the warmth and chaos of Christmas in a way that many viewers will find relatable. It’s not a heartfelt Christmas musical like Spirited, but it does still represent Christmas well. The disorganized energy of family gatherings, the tension of keeping secrets, and the bittersweet feeling of reconnecting with someone from your past are all conveyed with enough charm to keep the movie engaging. Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding deserve credit for elevating the material, bringing charisma and chemistry to roles that could have easily fallen flat in less capable hands.

Ultimately, Our Little Secret is a middle-of-the-road holiday rom-com that offers plenty of charm but little in the way of surprises. Its premise is promising, and its central performances are strong, but the film’s reluctance to dive deeper into its themes or characters keeps it from becoming something truly special. For Christmas die-hards, it’s an enjoyable watch but nothing worth adding to the yearly lineup.