Fake Dating The Quarterback On Christmas

starring: CAYLA BRADY & KENNY RESCH

With Christmas around the corner, a writer and an egotistical NFL star become reluctant roommates, clashing at every turn - unaware they’re each other’s beloved online pen pals. The pair attempt to navigate life while driving each other crazy.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A week is a long time in verticals. Last week I was so distressed with the offerings on @dramabox_official @dramabox_us I went on a self imposed ban for my own wellbeing. Now they have released one of the best romantic Christmas movies and romantic comedies of all time.

I have no notes. This is perfection. Not a wasted word, shot or moment. Fresh story whilst still delivering rom com beats. It's little things, look at the moments in the car - no dreadful patched in exterior motion. No cleverly framed and it is the best car journey you have seen in a vertical

And a lot of us are here because we know how talented the creatives are. Well this proves it, give them a good script, and then a director @thedchen who lets them improvise and wow

@caylatbrady and @kennyfrom_southpark are so good, the Hanks - Ryan comparison stands. I am going to do a separate post about them, but just know you have 2 absolute superstars here, who make you fall in love with their characters and their relationship

@just_evanfaunce is given a character with nuance. He has been brilliant since I first saw him in Mistaken Surrogate RB. We think Edison might be a sleaze but he is a good guy, gives Dora great advice, and stops her jumping to conclusions

@liam.silbernagel and @elolola_ is the double act we all need, need them both leading a comedy together where they are con artists perhaps, life on the lam. Anyway make a lot of small screen time

Katie Rose is super as Aura, some fab moments when she talks about her couture outfit whilst twirling her hair

@helenefrances1 is a hoot as Grandma

Dad and Mom @camillecarida bring the right about of judgement without it going too far. and crucially Chaesel stands up to them and calls them on it

It's grown up. To Hollywood coming into verticals this is one of the best examples. This is why I have thrown myself into all of this so much. Because I have always believed that when you remove the noise and rubbish, at the heart of verticals and incredibly talented people making the best movies

I'm working through a list of movie rom coms and putting this above a lot. It's better than The Holiday. It's approaching While You Were Sleeping levels.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

We have hidden penpals, and bickering enemies to lovers here. Delivered BRILLIANTLY.

Sold by the fact the 2 leads can act. Dear lord can they act. They have great material to work with, are allowed to do their thing and then you have 2 superstars.

I’m comparing to the greats. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It’s that good. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert - thinking the famous Walls of Jericho scene in It Happened One Night when they have the pillow wall. You will have all the feels.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Some top tier parental snobbery “Chasel you are a franchise”.

Aura does her best - very much appreciate the insults are tempered, and in fact the worst thing she does is fling the manuscript in the swimming pool. That hurts more.

And we have delightful gruesome twosome with Felix and Sophie - played by the brilliant Liam Silbernagel and Eloise Lola Gordon who both make every vertical instantly better by being in it. Just watch their facial expressions, not a single wasted moment on screen.

😂 Comedy gold:

If you want bickering, pull up a seat my friend. This is so so good, and most interesting thing is the cast were allowed to improvise a lot.

Which leads to this magic - so many highlights, Dora accidentally ripping Chasel’s shirt but genuinely not having any interest in him, flipping Felix and Sophie off, Dora waking up screaming at Chasel that he is a pervert, totally not recognising who he is… but it has to be the MY EYES - which is good enough to replace the immortal MY EYES that Phoebe screams in Friends.

🎺 Unsung hero:

I have a lot of love for the lady at the cinema who complains about the bickering and wants to know if it is a swingers party.

Shoutout to the Dramabox team for the Easter Eggs of posters of Dramabox shows at the cinema.

But Grandma (Helene Francis) totally steals the show.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Dan Chen | 2025

Available on Dramabox