Uma Chance Sob a Neve

Maddy (JoBeth Williams) is on the verge of divorcing her husband, Matt (Michael Ontkean). After all, he cheated on her, after 14 years, so doesn't he deserve to be dumped? It's nearing December 25th and Maddy is taking her two daughters to her mother's home in Chicago, to get away from the Christmas-at-home memories. At the airport, however, the wintery weather in Minnesota is turning into a blizzard and many flights are delayed, including Maddy's, her sister Katherine's, and the young girls'. As fate would have it, Matt is also at the airport, heading in a different direction, but his flight is likewise delayed. The two of them, Matt and Maddy, have plenty of time to cross each other's paths and discuss their futures. Katherine, a single lady lawyer, also meets an attractive man in the course of the day. Then, too, an older couple (Charles Durning and Barbara Barrie) are ready to share their advice on how to make a marriage endure. Will Maddy be able, bottomline, to forgive Matt? This is a sweet film that is, surprise, mostly conversation. After all, how much physical action can take place in an airport terminal? Williams and Ontkean are quite nice as the couple on the verge of marital extinction. The rest of the cast is also fine, with Durning and Barrie a pleasure to see and hear. The costumes and sets are fairly pleasant and the production values acceptable, as befitting a low budget film. As for the film's theme of forgiveness, that is always a welcome one, especially around the December festivities. Therefore, if you like holiday films that also offer a sweet love story, this one is definitely for you. So, when the day's chores are over, curl up in the sofa, sip some hot cider, and follow this tale of love that conquers all.

In some ways I feel that the older Christmas films (I mean before Hallmark started churning out 20 new ones a year) are better, they are not so formulaic. Yes there is still usually a romance involved and they generally promote family values and the spirit of the season, but they seem a bit more thought out and in some ways more polished too.

This film is about an existing love that has hit a rocky patch and how the right circumstances and a few good people can make a difference to the lives of those going through it. It gives hope and provides a cute story that's actually well acted and storyboarded. There are no massive Hollywood stars in it, unless you include the Mother from Poltergeist (1982) and a woman who's been in a couple of Star Trek episodes, but you don't need anyone too big to detract from the charming tale and take the focus. Even the children weren't the vile brats that usually appear in these festive specials.

I do like a bit of eye candy, which was definitely lacking and I felt sorry for the grandparents in the end, but this film kept my attention far more than others have lately.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie and look forward to it during the holidays. However, I have not found it listed this year.

It is a good movie to sit down with a hot chocolate or a cup of tea with cheese and crackers. Wrap up in the recliner with a fleece blanket and let yourself get into the movie.

The couple is going through a recent divorce and find themselves in the airport for different reasons...wife and kids to her mothers for the holiday and he also to his mothers. A huge snow storm blows through, everyone is stranded, no flights and cannot leave the airport. Both meet an elderly married couple who help them to discover the reasons they married in the first place. They find that somewhere along the way, they lost that spark...you must keep that spark and rekindle it along the way. Not only are you a married couple, but you must become best friends...otherwise, after the children grow up and away...you may find yourself with a stranger....this couple helps them discover each other all over again.

So it's a chick flick...nothing wrong with that!

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM FARE.

JoBeth Williams is one of Americas most reconcilable actors. She first made a huge impression in the film "Kramer Vs Kramer". She went on to star in "The Dogs of War" but her breakthrough role came when she landed the lead role in "Poltergeist" as the mom who will do anything to save her child. She was also great in the BASED ON A TRUE STORY films "Murder Ordained" "Adam" & "Baby M" In fact when it came to portraying real women nobody is better then her. In this film she is exceptional (as usual) but the story has problems near the end.

In this story a woman has filed for divorce after her husband cheated on her. It was a one night stand and her hurt was understanding but with the help of Mother Nature her kids and Two New Strangers in the airport she is forced to deal with the cheating issue because her husband is also now stuck at the airport and none of them can go anywhere.

Now this film isn't exactly a Christmas film. Just because this takes place on December 24th doesn't make this a Christmas Theme film but it is about "Hope" "Love" "Forgiveness" and looking at your own defects and trying to move forward after betrayal.

Not the greatest film but if you come across it on TV then watch it.

Set in an airport that most cities can only dream of, this movie neatly wrapped up the escape from reality that we need when watching a Christmas movie. Although highly predictable I felt entertained and enjoyed every minute of it. I am a sucker for all Christmas movies and personally enjoy the personal freedom from the world they bring. Even though a divorce is not a pleasant or desired act, I thought this focused on the children in a way that could or should make any adult contemplating divorce to stop and think who are the most affected. Enough of the serious, bottom line - I enjoyed it.