Coming Home for Christmas

It's five years since Kate (Carly McKillip) walked out of her younger sister Melanie (Britt McKillip)'s wedding. She saw the groom flirting and tried to stop the wedding. Their parents (Amy Jo Johnson, George Canyon) are struggling financially and splitting up. They lost their family home which is bought by Mike (Ben Hollingsworth). Everybody is estranged and bitter. Melanie is hiding the fact that she's living alone in an empty house. Kate tries to reunite the family at the old house for Christmas.

This is a lower grade Christmas TV movie. There seems to be more of them every year. The bigger problem is that there is nothing here but an idea for a movie. The setup is somewhat interesting. The story isn't interesting enough. The actors try valiantly but there isn't anything more that they can do. This movie needs to start with a better script. Also the romance needs better chemistry and a better male lead for it to work. The sisters have a few good scenes but that's about it. They also sing which is their gig now.

In a changing landscape of major motion pictures slowly getting longer, major blockbusters getting more self-indulgent, major streaming services ignoring older movies, and major studios losing control of the industry, it's nice to know that some things never change. Holiday movies can largely claim a reliable formula, and are consistently filled with warmhearted kitsch, wholesomeness that's sometimes awkward, and some discrete beat of drama to propel the narrative. The drama here is perhaps extra harsh (estranged sisters, separating parents), but the pleasantness is proportionately cheerful as it all eventually perfectly aligns Just So for a happy ending. I can understand how all the congeniality can be overbearing, but for those who are receptive to the ham-handedness, 'Coming home for Christmas' is a refreshing little burst of hokeyness.

I can't say I'm a fan of the country western portion of the soundtrack; I simply wasn't aware of what I was getting into in that regard - in the same measure that some people can't stand Christmas movies, this is one genre of music I can't abide. But a non-zero number cast members have a connection in that way, so here we are. In fairness, there are more recognizable names and faces here than I first supposed: not just Amy Jo Johnson, but I've seen Ben Hollingsworth around, and while I've not seen Britt McKillip since 'Dead like me,' it's a minor joy to see her again, too. Arguably forced as no small part of the story is here, writers Kyle McGlohon and Bruce Spiegelman nonetheless have put together a delightfully cheesy charm-fest of love, family, and kindness. Such good humor fills every word of the dialogue, characters, scene writing, and the overall plot - and director Vanessa Parise and the cast unreservedly lean into the hopelessly sweet gaucheness.

All the crew behind the scenes put in good work to help realize the picture, and such as it is, the music at least isn't the worst example of its very niche genre. The ending is especially excruciating in its saccharine tone, but such is the Christmas Movie as we know it. There aren't any real surprises here, for such fare is built strictly for mild, affable cordiality, and storytelling that ensures its audiences Feels Good. Not unlike "Christmas music" it's fair to criticize such movies as artificial and contrived - but anyone who sits for something of this nature should already know full well what to anticipate. For anyone who enjoys the genre this is duly enjoyable, and it's most recommendable for fans of the cast. Others maybe need not spend any time with this, but if you're already on board with its brethren, 'Coming home for Christmas' is a passably satisfying bit of lighthearted fluff.

This is a great little holiday film with wonderful scenery, a nice family friendly plot, talented actors/ actresses, and lovely music. Worth every penny I spent on buying i!

I thought it was very warm and sweet. The characters were interesting. I liked that I could watch it with my children. The plot could definitely use some work but overall it is one that i'd watch again. I think it was the house and snow and music that made it so enjoyable for me. The sisters in real life did a wonderful job. I'd like to see them together in more movies. I'd have liked to have seen the other sister with a bit of a happier ending but I understand how that would complicate the plot. I'd have also liked it better if the parents got their house back in the end.

Coming Home For Christmas (2013) -

This film was just too depressing! Too dreary! Too badly acted! I could not put up with the misery and the grainy filming on the off chance that when Benjamin Hollingsworth eventually turned up he would be as cute as he had been in his other films, because quite frankly, which ever sister it was that was the narrator Kate/Melanie (? McKillip) was a whiney cow and the parents Wendy (Amy Jo Johnson) and neanderthal Al (George Canyon) were terrible.

All I can say is that if you're in a great mood and don't think that a film can bring you down then you might be able to get through this one, but I wasn't prepared to be depressed by a film genre that is essentially meant to be uplifting and bring joy. I got the impression that it was going to be all about the family's relationships and not actually about the festive season or even much of the romance.

Unscored as Unfinished.