Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane

A woman (Alicia Witt) returns home after her parents died to celebrate with her sister (Laura Leighton) and brother. She meets an antiques store owner (Colin Ferguson) who helps her settle and value the contents of the house. At least it's a different story than the typical Christmas movie.

The last few years Hallmark has wasted Alicia Witt in some pretty poorly done Christmas movies. Luckily this year, they've put her in a more emotional and satisfying movie. Laura Leighton is an always welcome surprise in these movies too. If only someone had taken the time to brush Alicia's hair. She's too pretty to have a rat's nest on her head.

7.6 stars.

Emma is an attorney who returns from New York to visit her family over the holidays. Her parents passed away recently and now she must sell the estate with the aid of her older sister and brother. She meets Morgan, an antique store owner, and they have a lot in common. She is currently in an on again off again relationship with a man from the city, but at this point, it's off.

Does she have strong feelings for Morgan? Does he reciprocate? Of course, it's Hallmark. Now we must watch as they work out the kinks in their fledgling relationship and meanwhile her "ex" boyfriend wants her back. She is conflicted, but Morgan is not the type to wholeheartedly commit and pursue her with reckless abandon. He weighs the options and is a perfect gentleman about the ordeal. But then a mystery arises, they find out there was an unknown man from her mother's past. They embark on a hunt to uncover the identity of this figure and along the journey they grow closer. Concurrently, her older sister is having issues with her daughter who is going to college, and they have some disagreements. Her brother is married with two children, and they also contribute some wonderful drama. They are all preparing to celebrate one last Christmas at the Honeysuckle House and many townsfolk, including Morgan, are intertwined into this fun time over the holidays.

The final act is a but rushed and the romance too. Overall, I enjoyed this movie, but it could have been improved with some better time management and more opportunity to marinate in the glee of the happily ever after.

Alicia Witt never fails to entertain. She has a very endearing subtle exuberance, and it always shines through. She can make a film a fun experience just being present in the room. And wouldn't you know, just by coincidence, Colin Ferguson was also cast in the movie. This is certainly a bonus, because he exudes the same kind of mystique. He has a charisma unlike most male actors I've come to like in these romance movies, which explains why he was the lead in his own television show for multiple seasons. Together they are radiant and positive and nothing could possibly go awry. You can feel the magic with the energy they share and it envelops the story with pure joyfulness and maybe a little mischief (even though there is absolutely nothing light or mischievious about this story).

This is a story about returning home after a long absence and remember those we love and finding out that reality is a little different.

Alicia Witt and Colin Ferguson are excellent together even though the story is more than just their relationship.

The makeup and hair were horrible. I don't understand how it could be so bad. Alicia's hair is often a mess. Colin frequently has a five-o'clock-shadow even early in the story's day. Actors have shiny noses.

Review Date 6/15/2019

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

After their parents have died, Emma and her siblings spend a nostalgic Christmas in their family home before putting the house on Honeysuckle Lane up for sale. Emma however returns home after being gone for years. Upon arriving she see's old friends and stumbles across a little mystery about her mom.

The film is very enjoyable. What is is nice there is not a "Villain" . There is also not the tired plot threads that keep popping up in these Hallmark Movies. There is know "Sibling Rivalry" or "Falling Back in Love with an Ex". What we have here is a woman at a crossroads in her and nobody forcing her into a decision. A nice change of pace.

When it airs you won't be disappointed