Coming Home for Christmas

Danica McKellar is always a winner when combined with the writers of Hallmark movies. I'm also a sucker for a big old house setting. The kids weren't overly annoying, either.

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This 2017 Hallmark Christmas Theme Movie stars in Danica McKellar. She is one the many "Hallmark CHirstmas Movie" go to actress who always brings a very likable performance. In this film however she seems to be a semi-remake of another Danica McKellar Hallmark film called "A Crown FOr Christmas".

In this film she plays Lizzie Richfield who just landed a job as house manager for the exclusive Ashford Estate in the Virginia countryside. While preparing the place for sale, Lizzie plans one final Christmas Eve gala for the Marley family, though they seem to be a family in name only.

If you are a romantic then this film is for you.

The acting is strong and solid. I have to admit, that Danica McKellar is very easy on the eyes. I was interested in seeing this because it takes place in my home state of Virginia. So naturally, I was wondering (if at all) I would recognize something as they might be filming on location. And apparently, not so.

Perhaps its just a pet peeve of mine, but it would have been more accurate if they had the setting some place other than Virginia. For example, Virginians can be stuffy, but not New England stuffy! I do realize this film was made in Canada and they sort of shoot in the dark when it comes to getting the right flavor of the locale . But the tone was a bit off for Virginia. The characters seem very New England/Northeastern and a Butler with a British accent? That would not be commonplace here in Virginia. The help would be... well, mostly non-white. Also, while Virginia can get some decent snow amounts , its not commonplace to have snow on the ground before Christmas, and even a White Christmas isn't all that common either. I realize they may have just used the snow for affectation to make sure you knew it was "Christmasy".

I'm trying to picture where in Virginia they might be, and I'm guessing outside of Washington D.C. towards the blue ridge- perhaps Loudoun or Fauquier County. While by no means Deep South, its personality here is not like depicted in this film. Virginia definitely has a more Southern lilt and a more folksy , friendly kind of wealth than the New Englander-ish style they portrayed.

6/10 - a good old love triangle and Danica McKellar elevate this rather run-of-the-mill Hallmark Christmas feature

A real nice film. First, for the clear reference to "Sabrina". Second - for Paula Shaw. And for atmosphere. Sure, the recipe of Christmas romance is obvious familiar. But it has few sweet nuances in this case, lovely, funny, charming. It is not different by many others films of same genre. But it has the gift to not be boring or too ...pink. The wise old lady, a decision, her two nephews. And the predictable end. So, a real seductive easy film.