Our Little Secret Christian Review
Christmas movies have a certain rhythm to them—a formula, if you will—that we’ve come to expect. And yet, within that predictability lies their charm: the cozy predictability of love lost and found, the festive sprinkling of forgiveness and hope, and the twinkling lights casting a glow on well-worn tropes. Our Little Secret, a screwball comedy anchored by Lindsay Lohan and Kristin Chenoweth, tries to slip into this mold but stumbles over its own laces. It’s like a Christmas ornament with a cracked sheen—still functional, still somewhat appealing, but clearly missing that perfect sparkle.
Let’s start with the good because, truly, there is some. At its heart, Our Little Secret isn’t aiming to be profound. It knows it’s a light holiday romp and largely succeeds in being one, albeit with caveats. Lohan, in a performance that recalls her early comedic success, plays Avery, a character full of quirky charm. Opposite her, Chenoweth commands attention in a way that almost compensates for the clunky script. Together, they bring moments of genuine entertainment, but much like Christmas lights on a dimmer switch, the brightness is inconsistent.
Lohan’s Return: Charm in Spite of the Script
For those of us who grew up watching Lindsay Lohan in films like Mean Girls or The Parent Trap, seeing her take on a comedic role again feels a bit like catching up with an old friend. There’s a familiarity to her performance in Our Little Secret that reminds you of why she was once Hollywood’s golden girl. She imbues Avery with a kind of awkward yet endearing energy, as if she’s trying her hardest to make something special out of a character written with broad strokes and limited depth.
Chenoweth, on the other hand, is the sass and spice that keeps the movie from completely faltering. Her timing is impeccable, her delivery sharp, and her presence magnetic. But even she can’t escape the lackluster dialogue, which often feels like it was plucked from an algorithm designed to write “Generic Christmas Movie Lines 101.” You can almost see the actors willing the words to have weight, but the lines often land with a thud.
Robotic Dialogue and Flat Festivities
Here’s where Our Little Secret begins to lose its luster. Christmas movies are supposed to transport us into a world that feels both magical and relatable, but this film’s dialogue and pacing seem more like a series of checkboxes than an immersive experience. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a simple story—we’ve seen it work wonders before—but simplicity without soul doesn’t resonate.
The script by Hailey DeDominicis feels like it’s been stripped of any spontaneity or spark, leaving behind something serviceable but sterile. The banter between characters is forced, the emotional moments feel hollow, and the plot twists—such as they are—don’t land with the intended impact. Instead, they come across as obligatory beats to move the story along, rather than organic developments.
Family-Friendly, But Is That Enough?
From a Christian perspective, Our Little Secret is relatively safe for family viewing. There’s no inappropriate content or language to worry about, and its themes of family, forgiveness, and connection are appropriate for the season. However, the film’s tone and execution may not be engaging enough to hold the attention of younger viewers, while adults might find themselves longing for something with more substance.
Christmas movies, particularly ones with a comedic tilt, often rely on either a warm emotional payoff or laugh-out-loud humor. This film struggles to deliver either consistently. It tries to juggle moments of levity and sentimentality, but the balance feels off-kilter, like a Christmas tree with ornaments placed haphazardly.
Missed Opportunities in Holiday Magic
One of the most frustrating aspects of Our Little Secret is how much potential it leaves untapped. The premise, while not groundbreaking, had the foundation for a genuinely delightful story. The film sets itself up as a screwball comedy, but it never fully commits to the zaniness that could have made it shine. Instead, it plays things too safe, resulting in a movie that feels overly restrained.
Even its attempts at heartfelt moments feel half-baked. There are glimpses of emotional depth—small pockets where you can sense the characters grappling with real feelings—but they’re often overshadowed by clunky storytelling. For a film that positions itself as a festive romp, it lacks the warmth and joy that should be inherent in its genre.
Themes of Togetherness, Tinged with Tedium
Still, it’s not all dim. Our Little Secret does manage to weave in some themes that are worth reflecting on, even if they’re not as fleshed out as they could be. At its core, the movie is about relationships—how they evolve, how they challenge us, and how they ultimately shape who we are. Avery’s journey, while predictable, does touch on the idea of finding peace within chaos, a sentiment that resonates during the often-hectic holiday season.
From a Christian lens, the film’s focus on forgiveness and unity aligns with the values we associate with Christmas. It’s not explicitly a faith-based film, but its underlying message about prioritizing love and understanding over conflict is one that can be appreciated by viewers seeking wholesome content.
What Could Have Been
If there’s one thing Our Little Secret makes clear, it’s that charm can only carry a movie so far. Lohan and Chenoweth do their best to elevate the material, and their performances are genuinely enjoyable at times. But the film’s lack of originality, combined with its uninspired execution, keeps it from becoming a standout in the crowded field of holiday movies.
David Gordon Green’s direction is competent but uninspired. There’s a sense that the film was made with good intentions but without the passion or creativity needed to bring it to life. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a store-bought fruitcake: perfectly adequate, but far from memorable.
The Final Verdict
So, where does this leave Our Little Secret? As a holiday movie, it’s serviceable. As a screwball comedy, it’s passable. As a Christmas story that captures the magic and meaning of the season, it falls short. It’s the kind of movie you might watch on a lazy December evening with low expectations and find mildly entertaining, but it’s unlikely to become a staple in anyone’s holiday rotation.
For Christian audiences, it’s a decent choice for family viewing, provided you’re not looking for something deeply moving or spiritually enriching. It offers moments of levity and a handful of themes worth discussing, but it doesn’t have the depth or warmth to truly stand out.
Rating: 6/10
In the end, Our Little Secret is exactly what its title implies: a modest, unassuming holiday film that’s unlikely to make much of a splash. It has its moments, thanks to Lohan and Chenoweth, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Sometimes, secrets are best kept under wraps.
