The Road Home for Christmas

Hey people! This is a Lifetime movie - not Hallmark. It IS in the spirit of Hallmark Christmas movies ... it's called competition!

NOW for the movie ...

It's a cute movie - but been done many times before . "Friends" trying to get home for Christmas - and the story of their trip ... getting to know each other along the way. FALLING IN LOVE. Nice but way over done!

Not a fan of the male lead (Rob Mayes). Marla Sokoloff is, as always, solid - but her makeup is way too much. I've never seen a person "car traveling" with fake eyelashes! Oh well ... it's TV.

This Lifetime movie feels different from Hallmark and in a good way. It's a bit more sparkly and the cast is good. Also it doesn't use the overdone Hallmark formula. Marla looks quite good- better than on the Practice. Rob Mayes suits the easy going musician. Marie Osmond looks great and her voice is so good. Wish she would act more. The music does keep this one going.

I rate movies based on what I expect from them. For me, this was a 9 but I've given a number of Hallmark and Lifetime Xmas movies , even though it's far behind "White Christmas." There are a limited number of storylines for any inexpensive tv movie romance, that takes place at Xmas - so the rater who complained about the basic plot being overused. It is what it is.

I liked this one, in particular, because of its plethora of great music, especially the jazz Xmas stuff. The leads were appealing, the story sweet but not schmaltzy. It didn't get a 10 from me because I didn't tear up, and Marla Sokoloff, whom I usually enjoy, was a little uneven.

I'd buy the music if it were available.

Its basic virtue - it is more than the expected Halmark Christmas film. For music and acting. For a story escaping, în smart, nice manner, from the cage of cliches. And for the freedom of performances, source of fresh air . A trip, few places, two musicians, few great scenes. Not the last, the fair dialogue. So, more than nice. Especially for smart plea for family, vocation, love and (self)acceptance, for the carolers and for energy. And, not the least, for great job of Anna Daines.

This is the first time in years a Christmas movie has truly moved me to tearing up and tightness in my chest. I went in thinking, ah well, time for yet another holiday road trip and was pleasantly surprised.

Absolutely worth a watch. The male lead did a really great job. Gonna save this one on the DVR to watch with my daughter at Christmas.