Co-written by Erin Keefer and MJ Palo, who also directs, Dial It Back is a Christmas comedy with a few twists. Dan (Dan Morrison) and Bonnie (Shannon Holdridge) have only been dating for a month, but they have just gotten married. While seemingly hasty, the two clearly love each other, and both know how hard marriage can be, as this is the second for both. The next day, Bonnie’s son, Connor (Jasmeet Baduwalia), comes home from college for the holidays with his new girlfriend in tow. Much to the surprise of Dan, said girlfriend is his daughter, Shelby (Ashlyn Baas). This new and strange family dynamic throws each respective relationship into chaos.
But that is not even the worst of this family’s problems. See, some knockaround guys are tracking a famous painting, only to be discovered. So the man with the painting steals away into Connor and Shelby’s rideshare, where the college kids accidentally take them with it. So to get the painting back, the serious-minded Nick (Gregory Klino) and heartbroken Frankie (Nathaniel Hinson) take Dan, Bonnie, Connor, and Shelby hostage. The problem is that the painting is no longer in the house. Will a Christmas miracle allow the family to work out their differences and escape their dangerous predicament before Christmas comes?
Dial It Back is just a rung or two away from completely madcap. There is a certain zany, cartoonish quality that occasionally bubbles to the surface. The restraint in not going full Clue allows the family drama to feel genuine, while the outlandish situation still works because the tone is a little over-the-top and ridiculous on purpose. That is a tricky balance to carry off, but Palo deftly does so, ensuring a compelling family element and a silly Christmas caper.
“…to get the painting back, the serious-minded Nick and heartbroken Frankie take Dan, Bonnie, Connor, and Shelby hostage.”
Morrison plays the overly talkative Dan just this side of being a cartoon. He’s affable, and it is easy to see why Bonnie would fall for him. For her part, Holdridge is charming and sweet, playing off Morrison wonderfully. Baduwalia starts a little stiff, but once the hostage situation comes into play, he makes for a dynamic hero. Baas sells the comedy and drama perfectly, balancing a rebellious streak with romance with ease. Hinson is non-stop hilarious, while Lino is menacing and wild.
However, the screenplay does not give everything the proper weight. A subplot for an election for a new HOA president feels underutilized, though the caroling sequence is terrific. Bonnie and Connor’s relationship is realistic: they love each other, are close, but she still sees her son as a child. Totally fine stuff, but it is infinitely less compelling than Dan and Shelby’s relationship. Father and daughter are estranged, but not for the reasons she believes. This adds weight and dynamism that their current situation requires them to address.
Dial It Back never gives one a full belly laugh. However, it is charming, well-acted, exciting, and will consistently put a smile on one’s face. The story is original and fun, populated with engaging characters. Admittedly, not everything works – the passage of time throughout is not always clear – but overall, this is worth watching every holiday season.
For more information, visit the official Dial It Back Facebook page.
"…will consistently put a smile on one's face."
