wes-connors Fifteen years of marriage is enough for attractive designer Cynthia Gibb and eyebrow-plucked attorney David Millbern (as Vicky and Jason Wright). The couple is headed for divorce. Their children, way too mature-looking Cassidy Freeman (as Melissa) and younger "Tiger" Austin Majors (as Will), do not approve of the separation. When informed of divided Christmas plans, the kids conspire to bring the parents together at their California beach house. Complicating matters are Ms. Gibb's blond boss Jason Connery (as Myles) and Mr. Millbern's blonde secretary Cassidy Freed (as Kristine). With assist from his family and regulars, director Fred Olen Ray rolls these off the production line. "An Accidental Christmas" might have benefited from some tweaking at the TV Movie factory, or not... Best performance and scene is the guy sitting next to Gibb at karate practice.*** An Accidental Christmas (9/9/07) Fred Olen Ray ~ Cynthia Gibb, David Millbern, Jason Connery, Austin Majors

Oiforgot Just finished watching this Lifetime Movie again. (No, there was nothing else on TV!) Whoever did the casting for this TV movie must have been on a limited budget! The casting of Actor David Millbern as a 'straight' man/husband is far-fetched! His perfectly tweezed eyebrows were distracting, and it appeared he did not even attempt to "act" straight for the role. His mannerisms were more feminine than his wife's! I'm not a gay basher, far from it! I just don't know why he was chosen to play a straight role. Yes, a good actor can pull it off, but in this case it was a fail. (We're often "shocked" when an actor comes out -- that's because they are so good at acting and doing their job!) The kissing scene was so awkward; very much like seeing Jody Foster kissing Richard Gere ... just didn't work. Anyway if the story had been written better perhaps all of the 'fluff' would not have been so noticeable. The daughter, too, by the way, clearly must have been at least 20! She definitely did not pull off being a 14 year old! Too much makeup and cleavage for a 14 year old! But again, if the story would have been more interesting and better written, I may have never noticed all the things wrong with the characters! If you're looking for a nice Holiday movie to watch, or there's nothing else on TV, rent something or go to bed! Don't settle for something on TV as I just did.

McKenzie Culberson This is seriously one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Yes, the sentiment is sweet and the actors are potentially good, but the writing was so awful that it was embarrassing and awkward just to watch. I feel that there are so many screenplays out there and ideas that could be turned into something great, but the fact that this one got picked up in this package is a sad testament to the state of TV-movies in general. It was not worth the money and time spent in developing and producing it. Would it really have been so difficult to amend the script? If they had taken a little more time to fix the plot and the script up a bit, then it could have been much much better. Actors, regardless of talent, can only do so much with a piece of writing. It's their script! It's what they go on. This movie did not serve the actors justice. Also, the teenage daughter, if they were married for 15 years, that would mean she's 14 at the oldest -- WAY too much cleavage and make-up for some one that age. Too much cleavage in general.

hsolaf OK, so it's not that great, but it's better than the one review in IDBM will have you think.Remember the child Lindsay Lohan playing twins trying to get their parents back together in The Parent Trap? Somewhat like that, but with Christmas put into the formula. Cynthia Gibb, who has a kind of Audrey Hepburn quality(big compliment!) is compelling as Vicky,a recent architect'apprentice, who wants more of an identity than just a wife and a mother,like Mrs Kramer in "Kramer vs Kramer". David Millbern as Jason Wright, the stunned husband who just doesn't get why his wife walked out on him, is endearingly nonplussed. And yes, he has a kinda high gaydar quotient,maybe because(if you take a look into his internet resume)he is an "activist" and Advocate contributor.That said, I didn't find this ruined the film for me, it may have added another dimension.Jason may not be the stereotypical dominant macho type, but he can still be oppressive and insensitive to his wife and too embroiled in his job. Lots of husbands may have an "is he or isn't he"look and in real life they get the benefit of the doubt, why not here?And he IS likable and to me believable as the husband and father.The children, hoping for a reconciliation, plot to force Vicky and Jason to spend a family Christmas together in their beach house in California.Myles,Vicky's hunky architect boss and old flame, (Jason Connery, Sean's son)is also spending his Christmas there,which provides some tension to the equation. Will Vicky give still-in-love Jason a second chance? Or will she defer to achieving her professional and newly found independence goals? Vicky doesn't seem to have gained enough footing in her new life to give it up so soon.Jason,on the other hand, may look like an easygoing guy and loving father,but husbands don't usually shed their old habits to give their ex-wives the necessary space to regain their identities.It could go one way or the other,but although viewer sympathy is naturally with the father and children, in reality it's not an easy call. The way it is resolved in "Accidental Christmas"is not satisfyingly explained and it all seems too easy, a flaw in the script.The actors are not at fault, though. Millbern and Gibb are both good as the main characters,and Mr. Connery is just fine as Myles, we wish he had a larger role.James Hong, as the wise Chinese beach caretaker,who gives Vicky and Jason some sound advice, makes himself noted in a small character role.In the end the viewer feels like the film could have been more consequential in treating the wife's dilemma,so it feels like a missed opportunity. Still it is deserving and very watchable.