"A Story to Tell"

It’s New Jersey, 1995. At their senior graduation party, chubby but likeable Chris Brander, played by Ryan Reynolds (Van Wilder, The Amityville Horror) in a fat suit, professes his love for his beautiful, blond best friend, Jamie Palomino, played by Amy Smart (Varsity Blues, Rat Race). Despite his confession, he finds himself in the “friend zone”.

Ten years later, in Los Angeles, a smaller version of Chris is successful in the music industry and attempting to sign the current “it girl”, Samantha James, played by Anna Farris (Scary Movie, The Hot Chick). Chris is also a hit with the ladies.

Through a strange series of events, Chris finds himself back in his home town for the holidays, where bumps into Jamie and tries to keep an unbalanced Samantha from ruining things for him while attempting to move out of the “friend zone”.

This movie didn’t get great reviews from critics, but it should have. What’s not to love about it? You get to see Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit, relive unrequited high school love, fondly remember retainers, and reflect on the sprit of the season.

True, it isn’t brilliantly written and probably won’t change your life, but if you’re looking to unwind after a long week, or if you want an hour and 28 minutes of escapism, this is a good choice.