Le Train de Noël

The Christmas Train although not a true Christmas classic, is more a drama/romance film that is still decent enough to hold most filmgoers attention for the films 99 minute duration. There is something about a bunch of strangers who meet on a train that captures one's imagination and I was asking myself (and asking Mrs. Shullivan too) wouldn't that be nice to be on that Christmas train?

Of course a 4 day, 3,000 mile trip aboard the Christmas train that the published author Tom Langdon (Dermot Mulroney) was taking, with his seperate cabin that included a full desk and bed is not something most of us could ever afford, but eh' it's a movie so keep dreaming right?

I digress. Tom meets quite a few eclectic characters aboard the Christmas train including a Hollywood director named Max Powers (Danny Glover) who happened to bring along his next films screen writer a woman named Eleanor Carter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) . From this point on a story unfolds about many of the characters aboard the Christmas train including the background stories of Tom and Eleanor.

I wouldn't say this is one of my top ten films, nor is it one of my top 100 Christmas films, because other than the train itself being called the Christmas train because it reaches its 4 day destination for Tom and Eleanor on Christmas Day, there is more a dramatic and romantic storyline than a Christmas story. Throwing in a bit of snow also doesn't make it a Christmas story. It is a decent enough film and I will rate it 6 out of 10, but I think there should be an alternate title than the Christmas Train. The title is deceiving.

If any movie is 'the worst ever', where every line of dialogue and every plot point is terrible and watching this movie will have you hating all Christmas movies I have just one question. How could anyone who honestly feels this way sit through the entire film? I join most all reviews that find this Hallmark Christmas movie a fun, good natured, good hearted effort with a better then average cast and a unique setting. I like Dermot Mulroney who plays Tom and thought there was good chemistry between his 'Tom' and Kimberly Williams-Paisley who played his lost love Eleanor. Danny Glover had a major low key role which he easily delivered. Joan Cusack and the 'fortune' teller added some needed humor and a tad of mystery.

The finale added an interesting, appreciated twist. The setting, aboard a snow bound train was welcome. So tired of car breaks down, fish out of water stuck in small town plots. Overall, this was an above average, pleasant train ride

I love this movie it brings the Christmas theme without the forced romances but the twist in the end was amazing

Many reasons for see this short film ! From story, escaping from the classic recipe of Christmas film to performances ( a nice surprise remains the role of Joan Cusack ). But the precious gift is the work of Dermot Mulroney . It is his place and the his role. And the merit- in same measure- comes from his partners, first for Danny Glover and Kimberly William- Paisley . Result - a sort of Orient Express , the crime being remplaced, in lovely manner, by love.

This was billed continuously leading up to the premiere as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. It wasn't Hall of Fame worthy for me.

Take how deeply I felt about it. I have watched literally dozens of Christmas movies this season and in a good percentage, still dozens of movies, I had tears in my eyes ranging from in one movie tears start to finish to other movies at least a couple times, and everywhere in between. For this movie, I had no tears, at all. Neither joy nor sadness.

Take enjoyment. I sat through virtually the entire movie waiting to enjoy it. I think a big part of my problem was I couldn't get invested in the romantic leads. Is that because of their respective ages? I think it was more than that. Now I was attracted to Kimberly Williams-Paisley and her character, but not enough to make the whole movie fun for me.

Take production and sets. There were lots of shots of model toy trains in the snow. One scene with everyone staring out the window at the leads had a totally cheesy appearance. All the outdoor sets were bad and the snow was fake.

Take acting. OK here at least are a couple pluses. Danny Glover and Joan Cusack both did their parts very well. I already mentioned Williams-Paisley, but overall her acting was just OK. Dermot Mulroney lacked spark.

Take story. This is the biggest plus. For being a story on a train, there was a surprising amount going on. And the ending was truly interesting!!! On the other hand, the climax wasn't that great and the rest after that was not all that inspiring. Yes, it was the usual Hallmark kind of ending, but not with as much impact as I'd expect.

Was this movie watchable. Yes, I think so. I was just expecting so much more due to the buildup. The true measure is will I watch it again. I don't think so.