Des retrouvailles à Noël

This is not a Christmas movie like all the others, especially not like the Hallmark ones.

If you don't stick it out til the end, or at least through most of it, you might be tempted to think this movie is about bashing Christians for their hate and hypocrisy. There is certainly plenty of hypocritical hate where there should be love. But about half way through we start to see that not everyone is hatefully judgemental. The movie is a story about how difficult family can be and working through that. It doesn't have all the pie-eyed optimism. It also doesn't have a lot of the traditional tropes like Santa, sleigh rides, caroling, and so forth. It has a few, but mostly incidental.

The acting is real and therefore some of the characters are rough at times rather than ideal. The chemistry between Tracie and Rick is real also - both good moments and bad. The couple has two young daughters that add a little of that element, but they aren't as central as they would be in a Hallmark movie.

The movie is pretty good, but it is not my cup of tea. I like my Christmas movies a little kinder and gentler.

This movie was very well done. We have four main characters. The divorced parents Tracie and Rick and her parents Ed the pastor and Mimi. Dee Wallace who played Mimi was fantastic. She had just the right amount of nasty. I do not think it would have worked if we had the traditional nice mom like Susan Hogan playing the part. Dee Wallace was the mom on ET many years ago. The pastor was also excellent with some great practical dialogue with Rick which really promoted the story. He was excellent and played the part just like Gerald McRaney would have. Well written dialogue with some bible verses well done like when Rick said "I recall the Lord turned water into wine" when Mimi criticized his former drinking and a comeback "the bible says not to be drunk" by Mimi. I thought it was very well done. Great story- enjoy.

A Holiday Wish Come True/Every Other Holiday (2018) -

For a priest's wife, Dee Wallace as Mimi and most of the rest of her family needed to re-read the bit in the Bible about forgiveness and the one without sin casting the first stone. I've probably misquoted, because I've never read it, but then I've never used a book to defend my own actions either.

And Ed played by Glenn Morshower wasn't exactly the best Preacher for impromptu prayers, as he stumbled over the simplest of sentiments. He also wasn't the strongest man of the house, ceding to his wife's honorary attitude, which had kept his daughter and her family away, without stepping in, but at least his heart was in the right place, unlike his Wife and he did what was right in the end.

And let's not forget that Dee wasn't very hospitable towards 'E. T.' (1982) either.

Despite the fact it was the season of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, the whole household was actually lacking in love AND what would traditionally be classed as a Christian attitude.

Mimi was really quite unbearable for me and wound me up inside. If I had been her visiting daughter Tracie (Schuyler Fisk) I would have taken my kids and my ex back to the city after five minutes with her, Mother or not. The whole atmosphere of the house was toxic for all involved.

Mimi's character alone would usually be enough to make me switch off a film like this, because I can't stand hypocrisy, which she was drenched in and I tend to steer clear of the religious, Bible bashing films too, regardless of what preference the producers seem to be erring towards, but there was something about this one that kept me watching. It might have been the leading man David Clayton Rogers, playing Rick, who was quite pleasant to look at, but I thought that there was something else too.

I did stick with it, despite the religion in it, because it had lulled me in with the first half an hour of regular story and then Bam! It hit hard with the Bible quotes and a very unchristian way of treating guests, but it wasn't in the standard preachy way that always aggravates me.

And right from the start I also found myself drawn to and liking the character of Rick. I could easily sympathise with him, which was tougher to do with Tracie, who was a bit hard faced and seemed to feel sorry for herself a bit too much.

He reminded me of Paul Rudd and I liked his rough, but kindhearted nature and his sense of fun, but also his sweet face.

She was obviously the problem, as a result of her issues with her Mum. Perhaps she was praying that she would never turn out like her and that's why she couldn't let herself love Rick?

I always seem to like a film that rekindles an old love, as much as I enjoy the new romances. Perhaps it gives me hope that love can still be found even after it's lost, not that I would want any of my exes back, except maybe one. It's just nice to know that it might be possible and that love can be found later in life too.

Overall it definitely wasn't a cheery film, there was minimal comedy in it and a lot of misery and upset. However it did contain a lot of heart and good intentions to warm the soul for the season, as well as a bit more depth than some of the usual Hallmark offerings.

If you can put up with Mimi, the story was worthwhile.

6.50/10.

Have been on a roll watching Christmas films every now and again for a while. Especially the output of Hallmark and Lifetime. It has been an interesting experience, but also a very uneven one and at times frustratingly so. 'Every Other Holiday' did sound good on paper and while some of the synopsis sounded familiar, especially early on, it sounded as if the film was trying to not be too conventional. Plus with that many liked it, there was no chance of missing it.

'Every Other Holiday' didn't disappoint. As far as all the Christmas films seen as part of my Christmas films go, it is among the best and namely because it was one of the few recently seen ones that had emotional impact and didn't try to stick too much to conventions. 'Every Other Holiday' is not a masterpiece and it won't be one of my favourites any time soon, but of the Christmas films seen in the past few weeks it is by far the best. This is coming from a genuine reviewer by the way with a diverse film and television taste, not a bot or paid account.

It may have some slow stretches at times and ends on a little too pat a note.

On the other hand, 'Every Other Holiday' looks attractive, especially the scenery, and the music has a pleasant and nostalgic quality that doesn't become overdone, over-emphasised or too syrupy. The direction was sympathetic but still gave the film momentum when necessary.

The dialogue is heartfelt, thoughtful and flows well without being self-indulgent or too flowery. The story is charming and moving, but instead of going down the cheesy and sugary sweet route that a lot of Christmas films in recent years do it takes a grittier and more serious turn. Without being overly-serious that it becomes dreary, without it getting preachy and without the shift being jarring. The charm and pathos, as well as heartfelt warmth, were still there even in these stretches while neither go into overload.

So refreshing too in 'Every Other Holiday' to have characters that felt like real people and ones that one gets behind in their trials and tribulations. Something not commonly found in recent years Christmas films. The characters have a very natural and sincere chemistry and the acting is very good. Dee Wallace is the most familiar name to me, and she does a great job, but the two leads are no slouches either.

Concluding, very good. 8/10

I really didn't have any expectations for Every Other Holiday...... but surprisingly my family and I really enjoyed this one. Acting was pretty good between the leads, I would give this movie a watch!