Watch Hollidaysburg

Hollidaysburg is a 2014 independent comedy-drama movie directed by Anna Martemucci, that revolves around a group of college friends reuniting in their hometown of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, for Thanksgiving break. Among them are Alex (Tobin Mitnick), a control freak who hasn't been able to move on from his high school sweetheart, and his best friend, Scott (Phillip Quinaz), who had a crush on their high school English teacher, Missy (Rachel Keller), and is now trying to reconnect with her. They are joined by their other friends: Jessie (Claire Chapelli), who is dealing with a breakup and a troublesome family situation, and Will (Tristan Erwin), who is struggling with his sexuality.

The first half of the movie is devoted to introducing the characters and establishing their dynamics, while also exploring the quaint small-town setting. We get to see the friends catching up, reminiscing about old times, and dealing with their respective issues. There are some genuinely funny moments, like when Alex gets annoyed by the town's obsession with a local celebrity, or when Scott tries to impress Missy with his writing skills. There are also some touching moments, like when Jessie opens up to her friends about her family problems, or when Will finally comes out to them.

As the movie progresses, the romantic subplots start to take center stage. Alex is still hopelessly in love with his ex-girlfriend, and tries to win her back even though she has moved on. Scott, on the other hand, starts to realize that his infatuation with Missy might not have been as innocent as he thought, and that he might have missed his chance with her. Meanwhile, Jessie starts to develop feelings for a local musician (Josh Raisch), and Will explores a relationship with a guy he met online (Woody Fu).

The second half of the movie is more serious than the first, as the characters face some hard truths and make difficult choices. Alex has to confront the fact that his ex-girlfriend might never come back to him, and that he needs to start moving on with his life. Scott has to deal with the consequences of his past actions, and decide whether he wants to pursue his teacher or let her go. Jessie has to choose between her old life and her new love interest, and Will has to come to terms with his sexuality and his fears of being rejected.

Throughout the movie, there are several themes that are explored, such as nostalgia, friendship, love, and identity. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the actors do a great job of portraying them. Rachel Keller, in particular, stands out as Missy, the English teacher with a hidden past. She brings a lot of depth and nuance to her performance, and her chemistry with Phillip Quinaz is palpable.

The movie also benefits from the beautiful cinematography by Martina Radwan, who captures the autumnal atmosphere of Hollidaysburg with great skill. The soundtrack, composed by Heather Christian, adds to the movie's charm and emotional resonance, featuring songs that are both catchy and poignant.

In conclusion, Hollidaysburg is a heartwarming and poignant movie that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and identity. It combines humor and drama in a seamless way, and features a talented cast and crew. It might not be groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it is a lovely slice-of-life story that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

Hollidaysburg is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.