Netflix's 'Dash and Lily': Review

Netflix delivers a future festive classic with this charming, uplifting and immensely moving Christmas romance that champions diversity without telling you about it

'Dash & Lily' (CREDIT: Netflix)

                      by Jack Linsdell

Christmas is the biggest holiday season by far, and thus when the 1st of December hits, audiences are inundated with festive movies and TV shows. Whether they be reruns of beloved classics (Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually) on cable TV or "new to you" theatrical releases, December is a time when studios flood the marketplace with everything Christmas set, themed and inspired. And, this year with cinemas closed due to the Coronavirus, it makes sense that streaming platforms like Netflix are picking up the slack to an even greater extent than ever before. Alongside Chris Columbus' The Christmas Chronicles 2 (the sequel to their 2018 festive smash hit) and the Emma Roberts-led Holidate, Netflix also brings us Joe Tracz's 8-part romance show Dash & Lily. And, based on the sheer quality and entertainment value of this limited series alone, they may be single handedly "saving" Christmas 2020. 

In the show, a whirlwind Christmas romance builds between two New York singletons who are looking for love. Optimist and frankly Christmas obsessed Lily (Midori Francis) whose never had a relationship before let alone a first kiss, leaves a notebook filled with instructions and "tests" hidden in a book store, in the hope that some charming boy will pick it up, read it and fall in love with her. As I say, she's the optimist. But, when recently single cynic Dash (Austin Abrams) whose "love of his life" Sofia just broke up with him and moved countries, finds the notebook and gets hooked, a romance does (obviously) develop. For most of the series, they trade dares, dreams and desires in the notebook, with a little bit of help from Dash's best friend Boomer (Dante Brown) and Lily's great aunty Mrs Basil (Jodi Long). 

It may not be wholly original and "never seen this before", but Dash & Lily is a damn well-made piece of Christmas escapism, with enough festive cheer to make it a feel good classic. And, as a romance, the series is probably one of the best Netflix has made (sorry The Kissing Booth fans) since Set It Up. Like that 2018 smash hit, Dash & Lily is made purely on the chemistry of it's two leading stars, and there spellbinding performances. We really do believe in the unbelievablity and magic of this YA romance story solely because we have invested in the fact that Abrams' Dash and Francis' Lily have actually fallen in love. It reminds me a lot of movies like George Nolfi's The Adjustment Bureau and J Blakeson's The 5th Wave because the love story is told completely visually before our very eyes. That only happens when the two actors are so in tune with each other that they can express a thousand emotions in the smallest of gestures or looks. And, the fact that Abrams and Francis don't actually share a scene until the 6th episode, makes that even more amazing. 

The show is certainly structured like an extended cut of a feature film, which is not a criticism as it worked wonders for Netflix's teen musical Julie and The Phantoms early this year. And, to showrunner Joe Tracz's credit, there are enough plot twists and rug pulls to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. But, Dash & Lily really finds it's groove by giving certain demographics a voice that aren't usually heard. For a start, it champions diversity by featuring a significant Asian-American cast, but gets even more merit for not drawing attention to it. It just so happens to be a mainstream Netflix show that largely centres on a story about an Asian-American family which is the ultimate goal for diversity in this industry. But, also the character of Lily allows some unconventional and outcast teens to feel accepted. Let's just say I'm more like Lily than Dash, so that brought an extra poignancy and relevancy to the show for me. 

If there's nitpicks to be made then the show loses it a little in the finale episode, which feels very rushed. It also features a very unnecessary and significant (in relation to the episode's length) cameo from the Jonas Brothers who perform their recent Christmas song. As lead singer Nick Jonas serves as an executive producer on the show, he clearly had the influence to put himself and his band into the finale of the show, effectively turning that last 25 minute episode into a mini Jonas Brothers concert.

Anyway, overall Dash & Lily is a superb piece of festive entertainment, and one of Netflix's best YA romances to date. Featuring superb performances from it's two leading stars, competent and stylish direction and well-written, nuanced screenplays, Dash & Lily is perhaps the "next" Love Actually. It's well worth a watch, especially if your spending Christmas alone this year. 

5/5 STARS