Sometimes love and family show up in the most unexpected of ways. In Practically Married, a heartfelt and often very funny Christmas comedy, two sisters decide that finding the perfect man can take a back seat to their lifelong dream of raising a child together.
Sisters Lucy and Sam, played by real-life siblings Lisa and Sara Alavi, are utterly exhausted by the dating world. Joggers with no social skills, catfish with grey hair and nothing but sleazy intentions, and the endless carousel of disappointment have left them both swearing off romance. Instead, they do what any reasonable adults would do after a few festive drinks: they decide to adopt a baby together. As co-parents. As sisters.
To prepare for this plan, they take on a trial run by babysitting their nephews over the Christmas holidays, and the chaos that follows becomes both hilarious and occasionally moving. From sugar-fuelled tantrums to arguments about whether a second birthday should be allowed, the sisters get a rapid-fire education in parenting that no book or podcast could prepare them for.
The comedy is light and playful, with plenty of montages involving Nerf guns, dancing in Christmas jumpers, and general festive mischief. There is a particularly cheeky scene where the sisters dance along to a track performed by Sara Alavi herself, while the film name-drops the artist in the dialogue. It is either a wink to the audience or an eyebrow-raiser depending on your mood, but it definitely adds to the film’s self-aware charm.
Romance does sneak in eventually, despite the sisters’ original pact. Sam’s chance meeting with a single dad named Ben at a playground gets off to a frosty start but warms over time, while Lucy’s run-in with a man named Jeff at a petting zoo is equally quirky. As these relationships begin to blossom, the film gently shifts from its central concept into a warm and familiar romantic comedy groove, while never losing sight of its focus on sisterly love and shared ambition.
Visually, Practically Married is clearly made with a modest budget, and it does show in some areas. The cinematography from Marcos Fustero is simple and functional, although several scenes suffer from soft focus and flat framing. Still, what the film lacks in technical polish it makes up for in heart. The Christmas decorations, costume choices and set design by Lourdes Sandoval and Adriana Portillo create a lovely seasonal atmosphere that fits the tone perfectly.
The supporting cast is a bit of a mixed bag. While Lisa and Sara Alavi have effortless chemistry and carry the film with ease, some performances from the extended ensemble are a little less convincing. That said, the warmth and charm of the leads make up for any unevenness.
Sara Alavi in particular deserves special recognition. As well as starring in the film, she wrote the script, co-edited it alongside Federico Krill, produced it, led the casting process, oversaw colour grading, and even handled location management. This is clearly a passion project, and that dedication is visible throughout the film. With the right audience, Practically Married has all the ingredients to become a feel-good favourite during the holiday season.
The original music, with supervision by Vince Balkcom, adds an extra layer of festive sparkle to the story. The costume design by Lisa Alavi herself leans heavily into holiday charm, with bright colours, Christmas pyjamas, and playful accessories that highlight the light tone.
There is also a certain boldness in how the story commits to its central idea. The decision of two sisters to raise a child together might seem unconventional, but the film handles it with both sensitivity and humour. It does not present this as a punchline, but as a sincere and loving alternative to traditional family structures.
Directed by Juan Carlos Zermeño, Practically Married does not try to reinvent the Christmas comedy. What it does instead is deliver something sincere, character-driven, and charmingly quirky. It might not have the polish of a studio film, but it has plenty of heart and enough laughs to earn a spot in your December watchlist.
This is the kind of festive film best enjoyed with a warm drink, a woolly blanket, and the tree lights twinkling. Imperfect, yes, but undeniably sweet, and a great showcase for a pair of sisters who clearly love what they do both in front of and behind the camera.
Practically Married is set to release on Amazon and Fandango on November 28.