“Holiday in Handcuffs” (2007) features Melissa Joan Hart as a woman from a progressive family near Seattle who doesn’t quite measure up to her relatives' expectations. After being dumped by her boyfriend just before the holidays, she essentially abducts a man—played by Mario Lopez—and insists he pretend to be her partner for a Christmas cabin getaway. The movie seems to blend elements of “Misery” (1990) and “Buffalo '66” (1998), reshaping them into something like a lighthearted romantic comedy set during the Christmas season. Hart was expecting a child while filming, but she remains charming throughout. Markie Post has a role as the mother, which was pleasant to see, and Layla Alizada is appealing in a distinctive way as the girlfriend. June Lockhart provides some genuinely funny moments as the grandmother. I know it’s intended as pure entertainment, however, I noticed undertones of Stockholm syndrome emerge—a psychological reaction sometimes observed with captives who develop affection for their captors, even when facing danger. While I found the movie enjoyable, the initial portion is considerably funnier than the latter half, which shifts toward a more conventional romantic storyline. The film also suffers from an obvious and forced attempt to satisfy contemporary political correctness; it’s pretty unbelievable. The running time is one hour and twenty-six minutes, and filming occurred in Calgary, Alberta. GRADE: C

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