Blended

In the midst of a chaotic holiday season, two recently out of long-term relationships embark on a journey that will test their willpower and unrelenting disdain for each other. Lauren, a loving but high-strung mom, and Jim, a tough-talking widower, each bear the scars of heartbreak with the added weight of being single parents. The desperation for re-entanglement comes from their support groups. They're set up on a series of blind dates by their friends in the hopes of rekindling romance, but those attempts culminate in an embarrassing cocktail party during which Lauren unintentionally sets her drink on fire while Jim fumbles the microphone. It's a harrowing failure that should seal their fate as least as two sets of two on the dating circuit. Months later, both Jim and Lauren receive joint emails detailing an extravagant vacation package designed for families at a renowned South African resort reserved for spring break. Unaware of the presence of the other family, they book the one half of the package without a second thought and before long both Lauren and Jim, plus their children, find themselves situated above one another at the resort. The confined scenery initially fuels a heated rebellion as the two cohabitating families refuse to acknowledge their forced proximity. Lauren can hardly find it within herself to start. Jim keeps a fixed, intense expression which causes Lauren to continue pummeling her. Nothing's understood between any amongst these new cohabitants. Their will to pretend they don't live for the other is tested, however, when forces that cannot be deflected at every turn force them to participate in group retreats and social functions by plan of the resort resort guest administrator. Amid the scorching hot spring break surroundings, the air is tension-choked, with their adult presence rekindled while their insecurities are not. After one less than enchanted gathering they hold a session that is candid and harshly open to open discussion unwatched by the children, exposing each with a vulnerable demeanor when it is quiet at night, each wanting desperately to know unspoken truths yet fearful to confront her fears. Unwavering Lauren's voice booms like a tempestuous rumbling of thunder in attempting to navigate the messy confines provided; both need courage and support yet with anger also is expressed. While she remains unable to resolve the problems bothering them their affection blossomed. The time passed quietly and each with an intuition to keep moving under control and to keep attempting to suppress their feelings. As time progresses in this way, the icy tension melts between them, leaving two long-laid-down walls around the both of them to be demolished. This heart-to-heart realization allows them to laugh with each other, relax, and slowly let guilt consume them and draw out the fears inside, in the end, it appears almost magical. Lauren and Jim find out after sharing in family games together and in some other ways - a thrilling family dance on a beach at sunset comes to mind as one prominent instance where many endowing their friendships at one thrilling action made them know their love would keep, they discovered they are meant to one couple. Embracing a path to repair the irreversible damage that these imperfect yet ordinary human wounds put upon them over time, things begin to materialize after these two learn their ability to love one another, have become incredibly tangible. They find that each parent, supported separately yet linked with their cohabitant's feelings, come walking towards these honest hours of life by getting over their old, shattering painful past while joining heart desires for courage with gentle love; this leads the two parents' courageous walk onto this magnificent expanse as an unmarried, hopeful family, together they take two families towards ever-greater opportunity.