Netflix's 'Dash & Lily' Review: Rom-com warms even the most cynical of hearts this Christmas season
Spoilers for 'Dash & Lily'
Netflix's Christmas rom-com 'Dash & Lily' has two characters that perfectly resembles the difference in attitude when it comes to the holiday season, some dwell in the joy and magic of it, while others see the crowds "forced cheer, frenzied crowds" and holiday spirit mistaken for love. Dash (Austin Abrams), is the cynical one who'd rather some solitude, and pizza during the holidays, while Lily (Midori Francis) sings carols, and drools over the spirit of Christmas in New York.
After Lily leaves a red book titled "do you dare?" at The Strand, a bookstore, Dash starts of a game with her that involves dares, inevitable jokes and at times even revelations about who they are. There are many Christmas releases that overshadow the charm of the holiday season with an overbearing romance, but 'Dash & Lily' feels like a new way to experience Christmas entertainment. It's effortlessly funny, breaths life into a beautiful plotline and is classic in its delivery.
The series is based on the New York Times bestseller 'Dash & Lily's Book of Dares' by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan and starts off with one foot already in suspenseful waters. As Dash, who told his mother he was spending holidays with his father and told his father just the opposite, starts off the holiday season charmed by the writer of the red book at The Strand. He immediately catches on to the quirky and smart attitude and is determined to find out who she is. The clash of their grossly opposite attitudes is the best part of the series, while Dash wants to walk away from anything cheery (we can't tell you why, that would ruin the series) Lily's optimism has him stray to a positive light for a change. They both have a defensive mechanism though -- Dash has his cynicism and Lily has her bubbly attitude.
Soon, as the characters find out more about each other and how they feel during this supposedly happy time of the year, they become each other's confidants in the best of senses. They encourage each other to put a halt on keeping their guard up and welcome the joy of possibilities. How can you now when you're in the Big Apple surrounded by blinding lights, large Christmas trees, carolers, and Santa's handing out gifts.
It's a beautiful story of triumphing love without the physicality of things that most romantic productions depend on. Dash and Lily don't see each other (in the start), yet they fall for each other - trust us, you can't help but invest in them. The first episode hooks you because of its lack of familiarity but draws you in because there's Christmas spirit in everyone. The idea of having a pen pal takes a whole different meaning when it comes to the series, a sweet one, at that - one that would make you wish that this kind of romance is truly possible. In truth, no one would pick up a random book and speak to a stranger through it - we live in a way creepier world than we'd like. But, that's the point of Christmas movies, we are to push aside the sensical facts, and enjoy that what-ifs of a dreamy world full of whimsical fantasies.
From the beautiful scenes in New York City to the delivery of amazing on-screen characters, 'Dash & Lily' calls for a night in with some hot cocoa and possibly a binging session. 'Dash & Lily' is now available to stream on Netflix
