larrylbryant
My wife and I love Hallmark Christmas movies but agreed that this one was one of the worst we've seen.The least of its offenses is that it's not even really a Christmas story at all, but rather just happens to take place during the season without much that actually ties in. Not a very 'Christmasy' feel to it.The mother's poor parenting skills are another frustration. The teen-age daughter keeps lying, disobeying, making immature choices, etc. over and over again, then merely offers an excuse and apology (or not) and the mom never punishes or disciplines her. Perfect way to turn out a spoiled, self-centered, enabled brat.We also really hated seeing Victor Webster, one of Hallmark's strongest male stars, reduced to a cardboard stand-up with very little of his typical charm and humor put to good use. His only purpose seems to be listening to the mom's (numerous) self-indulgent monologues.Another letdown is the laughably contrived and manipulative 'surprise' ending, requiring at least two gaping plot holes (pointed out by another reviewer) to get there. We really wanted it to induce warmth and satisfaction, but alas, prompted eye-rolls instead. The biggest problem, though, is the movie's lack of rhythm, flow and genuine-feeling drama, the blame for which should probably be shared equally between the overly melodramatic script and the sleepy performances. It's just two hours' worth of one drama queen conversation after another, accompanied by a nearly non-stop hypnosis-inducing music track that turns the whole thing into a flat, unsatisfying experience.
morrobay
Terribly melodramatic, sappy story with awful dialogue. I guess they have to tick certain boxes to make a Hallmark movie, and this got them all: mother and daughter at odds, mother doesn't like the boyfriend, boyfriend is too nice to be true, boyfriend goes overseas, daughter learns in the end that mom is right. Oh brother. Can anyone write an original thought anymore?Catherine Bell had the worst dialogue, don't know how she got through it. Maybe some actresses can pull off something so overly dramatic, but she's not one of them.I gave it 1 star.
Christmas-Reviewer
I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES. BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM FARE. THE REASON WHY I REVIEW THEM IS TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!. A young woman begins a long-distance relationship with an active- duty soldier. Her mother tries to steer her away from the relationship to save her feelings.Now the mother in this is shown almost like she is a villain. In real I think most women would not want their HIGH SCHOOL DAUGHTER in a serious relationship. The mother wants her daughter to finish school. Can't blame her. Also there is a few shocks here and there but the title of this film kind of gives the surprise away! Not a bad movie. I still think the mother was correct!
phd_travel
If you watched Army Wives which starred Catherine Bell also this slightly reminded me of it. Catherine Bell plays an army widow. Her daughter about to go off to college falls hard and fast for a sweet soldier (Anthony Konechny) who is about to be deployed. Of course she is worried about her daughter loving a soldier who could be killed too. Meanwhile she herself has been resisting love although there is good friend (Victor Webster) who is about to give up waiting for her to love again.Not too much story to make a movie and there isn't that much Christmas stuff either for that matter. The actors are quite sweet and likable. Don't know why they chose such a short actress to play the daughter - they didn't look related.There is a satisfactory ending as expected.
AD
