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Title SpotlightDrama

A Holiday in Harlem

DramaRomance

Known for transforming fledgling businesses into moneymakers, executive Jazmin Carter returns to Harlem, N.Y., to celebrate Christmas in the neighborhood where she grew up.

Year

2021

Duration

1h 24m

IMDb

5.5

Hero Poster

Cast

Keith Powell

Director

Olivia Washington

Jazmin

WA

Will Adams

Caleb

Cast

Keith Powell

Director

Olivia Washington

Jazmin

WA

Will Adams

Caleb

Tina Lifford

Mama Belle

Opal Alladin

Barbara

LC

Layla Capers

Jae

Teren Carter

Sam

Michelle Liu Coughlin

Amy

David Goldstein

Basketball Player

SJ

Santana Jackson

Eli

Dante Jeanfelix

Slam Poetry Artist

John Earl Jelks

Thomas

Los Jones

Eric

Jill Knox

Catrina

Johnnie Mae

Ms. Earlene

Tina Martin

Nurse

MM

Monique Matthews

Clerk

JL

Jessica Lynn Salerno

Holiday Shopper

LL

Laura Lynn Salerno

Block Party Dancer

MM

Monique Matthews

Writer

Monique N. Matthews

Writer

Trailer

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Comments

10 Comments

Black Rainbow 🌈May 23, 2023

I really enjoyed the movie - good story, acting was great. Also wanted to ask where were the clothes purchased for the above character? The clothing for her just added an extra / upper level.

Hajer _💜May 23, 2023

This was warm and sweet and Hallmark but the romance just didn't work... too much animosity, water under the bridge, and two leads who didn't need to be together (& really couldn't be). Try again Hallmark, with 2 more compatible leads?

Sagun Ghimiray✨May 23, 2023

Did like the premise, more so than most of the premises for this year's Hallmark Christmas output. Always hope that good premises are done justice and given good execution, and there are times where that is gotten and other times where the potential is wasted. Also instances where the premise doesn't appeal but the execution pleasantly surprised me. Hallmark's 2021 films had all three extremes, and all three extremes were obvious in the Christmas block. 'A Holiday in Harlem' doesn't waste its potential, but it also could have done a good deal more with it. Really did appreciate that it tried to do something different, but there are times where different doesn't always come off and it's executed unevenly in 'A Holiday in Harlem'. An example of a film that doesn't start off particularly good, but gets better if stuck with, which is a disappointment after three very impressive Christmas films from Hallmark in a row. To me, 'A Holiday in Harlem' started off rocky with it taking too long to set up and some very awkward dialogue. Some of the editing seemed rushed looking and sloppy. Did find too Olivia Washington and Will Adams rather stiff to begin with, particularly Washington who had too much of a fish out of water quality early on. Also thought there could have been more consistent chemistry, which isn't there at first and wouldn't even have been believable as a friendship. What would have helped though was if the relationship between them was developed more and didn't play as much second fiddle to the community stuff. This sounds as if this reviewer thought 'A Holiday in Harlem' was bad. Not at all, actually thought that there were a lot of good things. Just thought that other 2021 Hallmark Christmas films were better and executed individual components more consistently. Both Washington and Adams improve from the middle act onwards, when the material becomes more natural and has more fun and heart. The supporting turns are very good on the whole, with a delightful Tina Lifford (classy, well meaning and fun) stealing the film. The chemistry also improves drastically, despite it never developing enough as a romance, but it's the heart warming community spirit feel that comes off best in the character interaction. While not liking the editing sometimes, the film does look quite nice visually otherwise. Especially the colourful festive decor and the scenery. The music is also pleasant and fits nicely. The script gets a lot better later and sounds a lot less awkward and Lifford's dialogue brightens the spirits. The story likewise vastly improves, at its best in the heart warming last act (the section where most Hallmark films are at their weakest) and with the colourful Jamboree. It's light hearted and sincere and doesn't take itself over seriously, plus because of the different setting and scenario it is a lot less predictable than usual. The characters on the whole are easy to get behind and the community spirit really charms. In summary, not great but worthwhile and worth sticking with if unsure initially. 6/10.

QuinNellowMay 23, 2023

Hallmark has had a winning streak this year with Mrs Miracle and now this. They often show people who live in the city traveling back to a hometown for Christmas but they rarely show Christmas in a city neighborhood. I have no idea if Harlem or any neighborhood in New York is a close knit place but this is what I'd like to think they have. The relationships seemed real and the chemistry was great. The two leads were wonderful and their emotions seemed real. Tina Lifford has always been one of my favorite television actresses and her Mama Belle character was delightful. I loved the storyline of the divorced parents and how and why they did things the way they did. All in all a real home run for Hallmark.

Nana Kwadwo jnr 🇬May 23, 2023

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas In New York AKA A Holiday In Harlem. Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.25/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2 Total 6.00/10 This seasonal love story is your basic awakening tale. Jazmin has a stable job and hasn't returned home in years because of her memories and the feelings they stoke. However, this year she's forced back by her Grandma and a little guilt trip (ain't Granny's masters of that psychological art). Because of an accident Jazmin causes, Granny's laid up and can't arrange the annual Christmas Jamboree, so guilt-ridden Jaz steps up to the plate. Little does she know that this Christmastime, her gift, will be the opening of her eyes, soul, and heart. The writer does a fair job of intertwining a few storylines. However, there are a couple of missed opportunities to add extra depth to this tale. The main one is the recoupling of Jaz's parents. After years of suffering through their separation, where Granny's house was the drop-off and pickup point for Jazmin during the annual Chrimbo kiddie shuffle, they have now gotten back together, once again forgetting there's a third member of their family. This plot line would've been marvellous to show the trials and tribulations that kids go through. Sadly, the writer glosses over it, and everything is Christmas Magicked away into Happily Ever After Land. They still could've had the same outcome but with more potency embedded into the matter, making for a more powerful story - something outstanding. But that's the sad thing about this picture: Everything is average and rehashed, and oftentimes feels that way. Even the direction, while decent, isn't outstanding, and the film, as it stands, could've benefited from more light-heartedness and heartwarming Christmasness. I enjoyed Holiday In Harlem, but it's not a movie I'd revisit soon. As such, I'd only recommend it for viewing whenever your Christmas Movie watchlist is exhausted. Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie. Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

kalMay 23, 2023

A Holiday In Harlem (2021) - It was a simple film, but not overly exciting and the romance wasn't really at the forefront, with the focus on the jamboree instead. Will Adams in the lead male role was cute and I felt that he was too good for the lead female, Olivia Washington's character, who still had a lot to learn even at the end, but nobody gave a bad performance. As Christmas films go, it was pleasant and it definitely tried to incorporate something new, with Basketball and Poetry elements that had a seasonal twist, but it was all quite simplified. I would probably say that this was a middle of the road effort. There wasn't a magic sparkle, but there was also no sickly sweet child or daft elf to spoil it either. 5/10.

Saintedyfy59May 23, 2023

They made this another light-toned Hallmark romance and family film. But the subject matter kind of called for a heavier drama. Jazmin's been ghosting her family, and has difficulty forming permanent friendships, because of her upbringing in three households. Then she's thrown the curveball of her parents getting back together. I'm not saying I wanted to see a bunch of yelling and screaming, but I do think this belongs in a drama. Maybe it's because I'm an introvert with social phobia, but I just didn't care about what the people were fussing over. Changes to traditional festivities? Okay. No big deal. If the male lead had something to get off his chest, then he should have done it near the start. Then Jaz and I could spend the whole movie warming up to him again. The way he yelled at her so late in the film was almost like a villainous heel turn. Where did that come from?! The way he talks to her is uncalled for. He even tries to gaslight her over the block party that he was previously supporting, and that everyone was onboard with. He gives a lame apology later, but I no longer wanted them to end up together. She could do better.

Abdel-oubaidMay 23, 2023

Nice change of pace with down home city folks showing a new way for Cmas. Fighting some of the same old issues, the lead actors move everyone else to a higher level.

user55358560 binta30May 23, 2023

Love the acting, the characters, the location but not necessarily the storyline. Still sweet but just not my favorite. And the leading lady was just adorable!!! ..........

Lidya Kedir May 23, 2023

The editing ruined it. Just terrible. Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room. The editing ruined it. Just terrible. Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room. Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room.