Every Other Holiday

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

For once a Christmas movie where you care about the people in it, and the problems they're having. The acting was great, and the story even got me a little teary eyed. This movie is a little gem!

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.

I have been watching hokey Christmas movies all day and this is by far my favorite. Christmas movies are what they are. For the most part, they aren't going to win any Oscars, but if a movie can make me laugh, cry and yeah, get mad then wrap it all up in a bow by the end, well then I'm a happy camper.

A great surprise. Because it propose the fair perspective about family, youth, childhood, past, religion and job of battetender, sacrifice, fears and love. And, sure, about Christmas. Touching, dramatic, profound honest, it has the virtue to explore in inspired manner very sensitive subjects, out of comfortable formula of manicheism, out of cheesy solutions or pink options for joy of holly day And it works more than well. One of films who you feel is the precise definition of this film , with Hallmark end, off course, but putting the viewer front to dilemmas, crisis, noble intentions more than familiar in his every day life. . And this is the great virtue, an useful one. And the acting, off cours, no doubts, it is just the deserved one from entire cast.