Em Casa para o Dia de Natal

This is a real tearjerker so watch it with a box of tissues. Betsy and Tyler were perfect. Tyler is an absolute sweetheart and every girl's dream come true. I have to say that there were times when I didn't like the character of Jane very much but she ultimately redeemed herself. Don't miss this one.

This was a bit different from the Christmas movies of which I have seen so many. It was not all warm and fuzzy hot chocolate and Santa Claus.

This is a story about a woman, played by Catherine Bell, who has some deep scars because she lost her soldier husband not long after she was married. Bell does a great job showing an independent woman who is trying to teach her daughter all the good things, but meanwhile is struggling not just with the loss of her husband, but also the impending empty next when her daughter goes to college. My son is 32 and I know that you never stop worrying about them.

Jane's life becomes more intense when her daughter meets Tyler, a soldier from the local base. The two young people fall in love and all the emotions step up a notch as Jane struggles not to stifle her daughter, but wanting to protect her from the same kinds of hurt she suffered.

This is only the beginning of the emotions the movie takes us through and saying more would be spoilers. The story is excellent.

I've already mentioned Bell's performance. Matreya Fedor and Anthony Konechny do a good job as the young couple, especially Fedor who displays some deep emotions as well. Victor Webster is solid, but despite Jackson's love interest with Jane, his character is secondary to the other three.

For quality of the movie in the Christmas genre, I'd make this about 9-1/2. My final rating is personal enjoyment and while I am glad I watched this, I probably will not want to do repeats.

Enjoyable movie. The plot is predictable, but we already know this! This is Hallmark!! And we love it.

...and maybe, more. because it is a realistic portrait of family, relations, love and insecure feelings. because it has few nuances defining it as different by many Hallmark Christmas films. and, not the last, it is a good picture of the fears, dreams and hope at different ages, after different experiences of life. so, after the final credits, few scenes are more present in memory. about options, solutions, reactions. and this does it a good support of reflection. sure, it is not original and predictable. but few nuances are enough for defining it as different. or special. or, only, a decent Christmas film.

Oh yaa I watched it three times. It never went too far in any direction, it stayed pretty much spot on emotionally and socially. And it was very relatable.