Home for Christmas

Watching this film feels like you're watching a film made by a local theatre group (in a bad way). Some of the worst acting I've ever seen, especially from the best friend character. I understand it's a low budget film, but with some good actors it could have been a cute cult flick. Instead it has all the quality of an extended episode of Hollyoaks. 3 stars for effort.

This is a very sweet movie, a movie that's all heart.

Different from the normal story line that is every Christmas movie. Ok it is clearly still girl gets man and vice versa but not the same corny line. Well acted and a sweet movie. Made a change from the crop of Christmas movies that are all the same. This one felt like it was a much more realistic scenario without elves and Santa etc. Definitely worth a watch. It is however a very English type movie and for that reason it may not appeal to all. If you like movies such as 4 weddings and a funeral then this one is definitely one for you. It even references it on occasions. It is the type of movie that puts a smile on your face.

Where to start?! It's great to see British movies but here the story is fine at best, the essence is there but lacks any real punch. The directing is dreadful, all the dialogue is hammy, in mere moments films like The Princess Bride (however cheesy) can make you believe in love, but here I never bought into it. The actors are very capable seeing them in wonderful drama's like Skins and Game Of Thrones, so I can only put the lack of emotion down to bad direction and bad writing. The conversation never flows. Everyone only ever speaks in single sentences and never with any conviction. It's such a frustrating movie that I'd like to love but is lacking a heart. As a side note, the person that did the subtitles on Amazon Prime must have been totally disinterested in this movie too, as half the time the subtitles just say "mumbling" when it's clear to tell what the actors are saying.

The two main characters are sweet and connect. I would have like to see more of them together doing something other than making out.

The movie suffers from a low budget and some clumsy transitions. The pathetic and awkward lives of the characters in the beginning went on a bit too long even if there were a few funny moments in that. Beth went from spineless to confident and back again with too little justification. The plot was thin and relied a bit on overused tropes.

I've never seen April Pearson before but I was suitably impressed. Despite the flaky character she had to work with, she had definite moments where you really wanted to see more.

The dialogue didn't mess around. Characters said things without holding back.

I wouldn't call this a Christmas movie, but rather a movie set at Christmas time.

Despite any complaints above, the movie was OK.