My Christmas Family Tree - Mein Weihnachts-Stammbaum

Loved this movie. Loved the story, loved the acting, and loved the lack of unreal drama. The story was was pretty realistic. One unrealistic thing was that DNA sites don't give you the full name of a match, but still overall good movie.

This was such a lovely Christmas movie: a warm and engaging story with a beautiful holiday message, some wonderful and endearing performances, and just the right amount of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. Hands down, one of the best this year thus far. The story follows Vanessa (played by Aimee Teegarden) who, after receiving her family tree DNA test results, sets out to meet her biological father (Richard, played by James Tupper). She soon finds herself traveling to her new family's home for Christmas, meeting Kris (played by Andrew Walker), a friend of her new family, along the way. The DNA match storyline is the second, I believe, for Hallmark. The first was 'Love, Lights, Hanukkah!' which premiered last year (another good holiday movie). The script is well written. The writer does a great job of capturing this welcoming and lovely family as they meet and spend time with Vanessa. As a viewer, it was easy to connect and engage with the story, with the characters. I might have even shed a tear or two. Though the story has some minor flaws, as other reviewers have pointed out, this takes nothing away from the viewing experience, I felt, which was simply delightful. What makes this all work on screen, of course, is the acting. Overall, the performances were brilliant, especially Teegarden's. She had this warm and gentle vibe to her performance that was easy to connect with on-screen. Indeed, it made the family's welcoming nature much more believable and relatable. Tupper too had a very convincing performance as Vanessa's father. What about our Hallmark favorite, Walker? He too was impressive. His supporting nature seemed effortless. There was this natural eases between Kris and Vanessa, which made me immediately start rooting for them. Given the nature of the story, the chemistry between the two was just about right. The supporting cast is also noteworthy as they all brought something to the table in this one. All in all, it is a warm and heartfelt Christmas movie with some remarkable acting, a wonderful new addition to Hallmark's 2021 lineup. I highly recommend it.

A fresh story and a loving family are the canvas for a charming Christmas picture. There may be some minor inconsistencies , sure, but the characters feel real, effortlessly nice and loving. Andrew Walker seems relaxed and warm , as in his best roles. The real magic, though, comes from Aimee Teegarden. The script is mostly about her character and she delivers. Like a previous reviewer, I loved her in "Once upon a Christmas miracle" of a few years back. She is again wonderfully convincing in portraying a sweet vulnerable young woman and provides the rich emotions a good Christmas story intends to offer. It is great to watch a movie that leaves you feeling good inside.

The DNA match premise was done last year and that one was excellent also, but I can't think of other examples of this premise. This story could have unfolded in so many different ways. The foster-care backstory is delivered quickly and could have been milked for a lot more emotion, but there was so much else to tell that they had to move over it quickly.

I hate when previews on a network give too much away. Hallmark had been advertising this movie for at least a week revealing a twist that doesn't occur until a little over half way. There were clues that it was coming though. There was one telling clue very early on that is never explained in the conclusion. I'd rather not give away spoilers.

I first saw Aimee Teegarden in Once Upon a Christmas Miracle which I loved and again on Hallmark two years later after the Covid hiatus and I loved that too. Teegarden must have a good agent because this sweet girl-next-door-looking woman was perfect for this movie and those previous ones also. This might be her best role of the three. How could there not be chemistry, not only with Walker, but all of the cast playing her new family? Walker was excellent, but so were 5 family members. I'd like to pick one of the kids as a standout, but they were all so good.

The writing and direction were excellent especially in little things that added to the richness. I can't even recall all of them.

There is another twist which I started to suspect and kept telling myself that it wouldn't be, but it made so much sense for this kind of movie.

I said last nights Hallmark movie was the best of the season, but now they have two real gems back to back.

It was a fun and warming christmas tale. Aimee is a knock-out and the family opened up to her quickly. Who wouldn't. The story took a twist and am not sure i would want to do business with that dna company. You have got to root for the lead actress.