A Christmas Less Traveled

He is disrespectful, looks down on her and openly insults her, can't dress for the weather, and has zero self-awareness around his privilege, but who wouldn't fall in love with such a catch?

And then you have a childless couple that 'the lord didn't bless with children' and other mentions of religion that are very superficial and feel unnecessary and just forced to tick some boxes for religious makers/viewers.

And nobody wears a bloody hat or gloves.

This type of movies have already de-sensitised me to all of that, so I was able to watch it. But c'mon!

At least to set was tasteful, nicely done and didn't feel artificial.

It appears that at GAC Christmas spirit still lives! Here comes a movie with a fairly innovative plot and filled with gentle sentiments. The story is simple, but it runs well. The acting is solid, the characters are charming, and the end leaves you with a bit of intimate joy, as a Christmas movie should. In her journey, Desi uncovers new layers of her beloved late dad's personality, while opening herself to worthy new experiences. At the same time, Greyson is touched (how could he not be?) by her grace and the journey betters his soul. Candace Cameron Buré shines in a role meant for her. At 48 she maintains her ageless beauty, that evidently comes from within, more than the exterior. Candace, I, for one, really appreciate you, for the reason that make some others slight you: you are a wholesome person. Up to now, this is the best, if not only, 2024 TV movie I have seen that deserves the definition of "Christmas movie".

I just watched a Christmas less traveled. And it's a different type of premise I admit but nevertheless it just doesn't click. The problem is the chemistry between Candace Cameron Bure and this lead actor..... it is non-existent and it's ludicrous how in a matter of two days she falls in love with this guy who's completely creepy. Victor Webster would have been so much better in this move. So we watch this mismatched couple for 2 hours. Bure isn't totally likeable in tgis movie either. And it is preposterous that a, stranger would offer her $3000 caxh to tag along on a road trip with her. Worth it for Bure, but nothing else.

The premise is a bit strange which does make it different from the usual Christmas movie stuff. A couple of the usual Christmas activities are checked off but they aren't piled on like some movies. The one I always make fun of, a snowball fight, is absent from here. The idea of a stranger traveling with a single woman on a sentimental journey that is going to be more than a single day is absurd. How easily Desi allowed him to share the same room could only happen of GAF where full length pajamas solve any question of impropriety. As a viewer, I found it even more troubling given the hints of something sinister about Greyson.

And yet the journey progresses nicely with some sentimental moments, at least until the hidden motive is revealed. The movie deals with nostalgia and loss during the more serious moments. The pacing is good.

Chemistry between Candace and Eric Johnson was going to be hard to establish given all the circumstances leading into the journey. Desi is rightfully jealous of her privacy but still manages to open up after a while. Greyson's motive, even when you don't know what it is, is a natural wall between them. The tone was not nearly as downer as you might expect and is mostly positive. That is a credit to the actors, director and writers. The acting is good.

The story obscures some basic logistics such as time, distance, and the use of money. The map and the original trip imply that the travel rightfully takes a couple of days or more, but at the end, the characters seem to easily traverse all physical distance without time being a factor.

Greyson's motive is bound to come out, in fact it must, and it does. But that alone doesn't solve the puzzle and it comes with a beautiful set-up for the twist. When all is said and done, we are left with a beautiful Christmas message. There are quiet echoes of a message from an earlier movie where Candace was both actor and executive producer. This part of the ending makes the entire movie worthwhile despite a number of discrepancies overall.

Given my very low general interest in Christmas movies, of course I was not familiar with this movie prior to sitting down and watching it.

Were I harboring any expectations to director Heather Hawthorn Doyle's 2024 movie? Well, no not really. I sat down to watch it with a blank slate, so she had every opportunity to entertain, bedazzle and impress me with this movie.

Of course I had not heard about "A Christmas Less Traveled" prior to sitting down and watching it as part of this years Christmas movie marathon.

Writers Masey McLain, Taylor Kalupa and Justin D James put together a script and storyline that definitely broke the archetypical formula that make up the vast majority of Christmas movies out there; yes, I am definitely looking at you, Hallmark. And I will say that it was a refreshing change of pace to have a storyline such as this, as it didn't cause instant tooth decay from the sugar-sweet sappy storyline that the generic Christmas movies have. So thumbs up to the writers for that accomplishment. And I will say that I was genuinely entertained by the movie.

I was actually starting to get worried that I would sit through a Christmas movie without seeing Candace Cameron Bure on the screen this year. Of the entire cast ensemble, she was actually the only one I was familiar with. The acting performances in "A Christmas Less Traveled" were good, and I will say that Candace Cameron Bure really is nicely cut out for Christmas movies, and she carried the movie quite nicely.

If you enjoy Christmas movies, and if you want to deviate from the usual Christmas sap, then you should sit down and check out director Heather Hawthorn Doyle's 2024 movie.

I was genuinely and wholeheartedly entertained by this movie, though the movie is not going to become a Christmas classic in my home.

My rating of "A Christmas Less Traveled" lands on a six out of ten stars.