Country Roads Christmas

I tuned in because I really loved Bailey Chase in Longmire. For a Christmas movie it was depressing rather than uplifting. Unfortunately all the characters in this movie are wooden, although Bailey does have a nice enough voice. There was no chemistry between any of the actors. The daughter (Laney McCauley) was whiny and angry most of the movie and Bo Yokely as Ryan just seemed to be reciting lines. Lauren Holly as Bailey's wife was sooo longsuffering it was sweet enough to put someone in a diabetic coma. None of them were relatable. I never empathized with any of them. Any mention of Christmas was an afterthought rather than the motif.

Country Roads Christmas (2022) -

There's never a lot of Christmas involved in these seasonal, country music, made for TV films and the stories are usually along the lines of a depressing country song too - "My dog left me and so did my wife. . . Yada yada". And actually on another day I might not have stuck with this one, because it really was so depressing and harsh, but I had spent the day cleaning the kitchen, so I was too tired to even reach for the remote.

It seemed quite cheaply made overall, so I was surprised that the singers could actually do the songs justice. The producers must have read some of my other reviews?

Unlike 'My Christmas Family Tree' (2021), which was also about a reunion with an absent father, this film put too much focus on the Dad (Bailey Chase) and the romantic element seemed lost and a bit surprising as it developed so suddenly. Lanie MacAuley as Skye really fell hard for Ryan (Bo Yokely) and very quickly and he did the same in return.

I wasn't totally sold on Ryan actually, because although I liked his muscles, there was so little time to get to know him and consequently it wasn't easy to see their romance blossom or feel their connection. And it seemed a bit false too.

Bailey Chase did at least look better in this one than he did in the last one I tried to watch with him in - 'Shoelaces For Christmas' (2018). Now that was one I did turn off and fast.

This film also had more endings than 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King' (2003). Just when I thought it was over it would keep going again and not really with any need.

Honestly though, it wasn't so bad that I wanted to pluck my eyes out with flaming and rusted spoons, but Bailey looking quite as perfect as he did won't be enough to make me watch it again.

5.50/10.