Torneio de Natal: De Volta ao Lar

Wow! Lifetime delivered it and then some with Reindeer Games Homecoming.

I echo others with wanting more of Justin and Sarah-they had an amazing chemistry, which being honest...a good amount of TV movies truly lack. The movie storyline was fun and unique. It was a fresh take and break from the usual Christmas movie storylines. I also loved the sense of community the movie had with the competition feature.

And can I just end with how *naturally* gorgeous Sarah Drew is? She looked stunning and rocked it with very little make up.

I loved this movie and recommend adding it to your Christmas Watchlist this year!

We all know the two leads will fall in love and get together with "The Kiss" at the end of the movie, but it's nice to change that timing a bit and to work out the career difficulties. Interesting, too, that it was somewhat obvious how Mac (Sarah Drew) was an older woman than Chase (Justin Bruening), which would explain her doctor credentials, though not their high-school puppy-love story. I agree that the long tresses of messy red hair and her effervescent but mature demeanor helped deflect from that actual age discrepancy - I've not seen 'Grey's Anatomy' so wasn't familiar with either actor IRL. Sarah certainly doesn't need a lot of makeup, too, and is a natural athlete.

Regardless, there were also some real comedic moments from each of the members of the supporting cast. Maybe the writers for Lifetime/Hallmark RomCom movies have finally gotten the point that viewers need to be engaged (entertained) and surprised enough to watch the whole movie.

When I saw the 2 leads in this one I knew it was going to be good, but it was even better than that. Sarah Drew and Justin Bruening have a natural chemistry that we've seen in the past but this movie was next level. It was fun and funny and sweet and smart. No lazy dialogue or over-formulaic, shallow treatment here. Every role here was used to its maximum to make a movie that was so rich - and realistic - that when it was over, I wanted more. Kudos to casting and direction (and makeup!). Some actors fade away and some keep getting better ... Sarah Drew is one of the latter. She's always been good, but her scope is so wide and her likability is off the charts. She doesn't need glamour or a special filter to make her beautiful because her beauty is inside as well as out.

Sarah Drew gives 100 percent in energy to this movie. The goofy games theme gives at least another 50. Her goofy and loyal friends another 50 after that. Together we have 200 percent in energy out of a total of 100.

The Christmas games theme has been a somewhat new but popular theme in the last couple years. This movie blows the doors off a lot of the holiday themed games I've seen prior to this.

Beyond the games, the story relies on some common themes. Mac and Chase might have had something in high school but rivalry and promising fame and fortune got in the way. Mac is dealing with the loss of her dad which motivates her in most of her endeavors especially these games but it also holds her back from her potential future. Chase's movie star career has seen better days and he is hoping for a big part. As is common, an overheard conversation creates a misunderstanding which leads to the conflict and a grand gesture is needed that makes use of some of the plot devices we've seen through the movie. Despite how derivative this story sounds in this synopsis, it is done extremely well.

And then there is Drew's energy. The chemistry between her and Justin Bruening exemplifies what chemistry in rom/coms aspires to.

I have been super impressed when I have seen Sarah Drew in the past but there are two comments to go with that. 1 However impressed I was in the past, she exceeds that here, a lot. 2 - Unfortunately I was disappointed in the make-up team in this movie. In at least a couple scenes, Drew looked less than stellar and not because that particular scene resulted in Mac being unkempt. I don't want to insult this remarkable woman any more than just to say, a good makeup team could have done better. Perhaps I missed the point and the director was trying to show the contrast in the superhero Mac was in action vs how normal was her appearance. If so, I still think there could have been some better touch up a couple of times. Whatever the case, the remarkable Sarah Drew gave us a totally remarkable Mac.

While not the best movie you will find, it is quite likeable as a feel good movie. The story revolves around a famous actor returning home for Christmas. He meets up with many past high school acquaintances including Sarah. Due to fate they end up competing in the local Christmas tradition of the Reindeer Games. During the events they develop a better understanding of each other and a relationship start to build. However, there are many obstacles to their budding romance.

The acting was great with superb scenery. However, some of the characters were extremely contrived and only put in the movie to tick the WOKE box. This was an annoying distraction from the main story line and did not contribute anything to the movie.