Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/mix-up-in-the-mediterranean
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Twin switch movies have held a place in my heart since It Takes Two and The Parent Trap were family night movies in my family den in the 90’s . Some of my favorite quotes come from these movies! I fell in love with Diane’s description of love, “…that can’t–eat, can’t–sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over- the-fence, World Series kind of stuff.” Maybe that’s where my love of romance movies started…?
As an adult, I was begging for Hallmark to do a twin switch movie. In 2017, I was lucky to catch Switched for Christmas with Candace Cameron Bure and I LOVED IT! So, I had high hopes for this movie too.
Let’s do a quick overview, then I’ll give you my two cents.
Julian is a French trained NYC chef, who is scheduled to compete in a culinary competition. He invites his twin chef brother Josh to the competition. While getting ready for the competition, Julian goes to Josh’s luggage and tries to pick it up, but accidentally throws his previously injured back out.
Josh decides to go sign in for Julian in hopes that will give Julian’s back some extra time to recover. However, upon signing in, Meg Wescott puts a bracelet on his wrist that will cause disqualification if it’s removed. Now Josh is trapped pretending to be Julian for the length of the competition.
Will Josh and Julian be able to pull off the twin switch? What will happen with Meg and Josh? Watch to find out! In the mean time, here’s my two cents 🙂
I struggled with this movie from the beginning. I think I’ve mentioned before that I have an issue with jerks and Julian the jerk meets Meg in a restaurant and treats her like something he scraped off his shoe until he finds out who she is. How rude! But I suppose, we need brothers who are slightly opposites in order to make the movie more interesting.
It’s these opposite personalities that out Julian and Josh to their friend, Chester. By the way, I loved Chester! He was probably my favorite character in the whole movie. I especially loved when Chester helps Meg and Josh procure some black diamond truffles. He makes it sound like a super secretive black market drug deal.
Random fact…did you know they use pigs to locate truffles?! I saw it on a TV show once. It was awesome.
My second favorite character was Julian’s husband, Henri. He was supportive and sweet and everything anyone would want in a significant other. Yay for Henri! But if my two favorite characters were side line characters, what does that say about this movie? Hmmm…
Anyhow, after getting caught by Chester and some standard twin switch issues, came the big turning point where Julian realizes he hasn’t been the supportive brother he thought he is. Julian runs into Etienne – or “Frenchie” as I nicknamed him – who points out how Julian keeps pushing Josh to be like him instead of supporting him on his journey. This was Frenchie’s best moment. Other than that, he was a jerk too.
The inevitable happens and Meg finds out Josh is Julian and Julian is Josh. She storms off without letting Josh explain. Ugh! Impulsive woman! What does Josh do? Obviously he stands stock still and yells, “Meg! Wait! Wait!” Really Josh? You’re just going to stand by while your girl runs off hurt and confused? Weak, man. Just weak.
But this is Hallmark and we get our happily ever after for everyone, which was a nice way to end the movie, but it wasn’t good enough for me to raise the star count.
This is a solid romance movie, but it isn’t anything special. I’d rather watch Switched for Christmas again than this, but if it’s on and you’re bored, maybe you’ll want to watch it. One thing is for sure, it’s not making my favorites list. Happy movie watching y’all!
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