Christmas in Mississippi

Definitely the typical Hallmark type movie but I grew up in Gulfport and it's always wonderful to see it on the screen! This movie embodies everything about the coast! Mentioning local businesses, the hurricane, and making home look so beautiful! And Jana Kramer 😍

There are only so many Christmas romcom stories and plot devices. This movie uses a few of them, but weaves them together well and maybe with a new twist or two. We have the high school sweethearts, Holly and Mike, whose relationship didn't end well. There is a cute kid and in this case his Dad is in the military overseas while Mike, his uncle takes care of him. There is an important job at stake as the holiday approaches. There is the small town banding together. And probably more.

It's how you tell the story that makes it good or bad. In this case the writers put together a number of good elements and interlaced them to make special things happen. There are a few very heartwarming moments, at least one surprising, but also some that aren't. The surprising one really grabbed me leaving tears in my eyes.

Jana Kramer was delightful and her Holly even had a funny embarrassing moment or two. But her chemistry with Wes Brown's Mike was fun to watch. They worked through past hurts, endured a fresh misunderstanding and then went on to redevelop their friendship and more. Trace Masters did his job as Jack pulling on our heartstrings. Faith Ford was also solid as Holly's mom.

As usual with Christmas romcoms things get sappy and maybe stretch credulity a little, but for lovers of this kind of story, this is a good one. I recommend it even for the casual Christmas romantic.

The only disappointment is how Lifetime has 'hacked up' the original movie and does not show some of the very best parts that give it depth and introduce the concurrent stories. They have cut the light show almost completely out and it is really great. They also have removed the actual ending that wraps up the story and makes it the feel good movie it was meant to be. This is one of 2 movies that Lifetime has hacked up and remove the heart. The setting of the Gulfport recovery is a wonderful background for the secondary story line. I used to have a copy on my cable box until it went bad and Lifetime hasnt run it since then. SHAME ON LIFETIME management ...Scrooges all

I can see why the person that "Lived Near The Area" where they filmed this would like this film. If a "Christmas Films" had a check list then this film would certainly check all the boxes.

This has everything (except snow) that you would expect in a "Christmas Movie". This film a girl returns home for the holidays. She then volunteers to help get the town "Christmas Light Show" up and running. This is the 1st time in y ears that the town has done this. It had a hurricane and the town is now back on its feet.

This film is not great but it is one of those films you can't help but to like. I do also like the fact it does show the "True Spirit" of citizens of Gulfport. I did help out after Katrina and this film does show the goodness that is in all of them.

Started off quite promising with the intro and upbeat music and drone views, then went downhill. The lead actress is a photographer coming home for Christmas with a just a small bag with her camera, no idea where she put all the false eyelashes and small branch of a makeup shop. It then drags on and on until the end, where not much happens. I am sure I could have chosen better.