The Road Home for Christmas

I rate movies based on what I expect from them. For me, this was a 9 but I've given a number of Hallmark and Lifetime Xmas movies , even though it's far behind "White Christmas." There are a limited number of storylines for any inexpensive tv movie romance, that takes place at Xmas - so the rater who complained about the basic plot being overused. It is what it is.

I liked this one, in particular, because of its plethora of great music, especially the jazz Xmas stuff. The leads were appealing, the story sweet but not schmaltzy. It didn't get a 10 from me because I didn't tear up, and Marla Sokoloff, whom I usually enjoy, was a little uneven.

I'd buy the music if it were available.

This is the first time in years a Christmas movie has truly moved me to tearing up and tightness in my chest. I went in thinking, ah well, time for yet another holiday road trip and was pleasantly surprised.

Absolutely worth a watch. The male lead did a really great job. Gonna save this one on the DVR to watch with my daughter at Christmas.

This movie was a surprising delight. For starters, this is one of the more unusual stories. The leads are great together.. The movie is cute and funny and lively but has touching moments as well.

This movie also has a lot of music, mostly Christmas songs, even in different styles, but mostly upbeat. Marie Osmond performs a couple great songs and the leads do some great renditions also.

There is a beautiful montage toward the end that, intentionally or not, is a sort of tribute to the true meaning of Christmas.

Even Lifetime has optimistic heartwarming endings.

I have watched and reviewed literally several hundred Christmas movies and this is a definite must watch that will be watched over and over in years to come.

I like it because it has got originality and a past famous singer 'Marie Osmond' in it. Some of it is corny, but it's a dreamy movie. Enjoy it at least once over the holiday season or whenever. You won't be disappointed.

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. And 'The Road Home for Christmas' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way.

Luckily, for me, on the most part, 'The Road Home for Christmas' is in the former category. Having seen a lot of Christmas films that were in the latter category prior to seeing it, that was something of a relief. It is not perfect and not a Christmas classic, with a few common (for Lifetime's festive output) flaws, but as far as 2019 Lifetime films go 'The Road Home for Christmas' is to me one of the better ones and a nice way to spend 90 minutes.

By all means, 'The Road Home for Christmas' isn't flawless. Some of the dialogue in the early portions is a bit too on the corny and gooey side, not unusual for Lifetime.

It is a bit of a slow starter as well with it feeling a bit thin to begin with.

However, 'The Road Home for Christmas' also has some very attractive scenery quite photogenically shot. It is directed sympathetically without being routine and musically it doesn't feel over-scored this time. The film is helped hugely by the very appealing performances of Rob Mayes (in one of his better performances) and in particular perky and radiant Marla Solokoff, both managing to make their characters rootable and interesting. The supporting cast fare well too, with a wonderful looking Marie Osmond bringing a lot of heart and zip to her role. Really liked the chemistry between the two leads, which was very easy-going and charming. Not to mention that it looked genuine and like they cared for each other.

While not starting off on the right foot perhaps, the dialogue does improve drastically and flows better. Also being in general a lot less cheesy and over-sentimental than too many previously seen Christmas films, not to mention being thought-provoking in a sincere way without patronising. The story, even despite its lack of originality, is heart-warming, sincere and has enough of a light heart to avoid things from getting heavy. Really appreciated that the central relationship took its time to develop and did have more depth than most central relationships in the company's festive outings. Also that the ending wasn't abrupt ot too pat, which cannot be said for too many Lifetime festive films.

Concluding, a road really well worth taking. 8/10