Le Train de Noël

I just finished watching the premier of Hallmark Hall of Fame​'s "The Christmas Train". It was a sweet story, with a well crafted script. The main 4 leads were perfectly cast. Joan Cusack, while always a little bit corky, had me smiling throughout the whole film. The back and forth between the films love interests (Kimberly and Dermot) was quite charming. It was fun to watch how Danny Glover brought out the best in his co-stars. While the parallel side mystery, kept me engaged.

The only real issue I had, was that this film had a tendency to cut short quite a few scenes. Which also gave way to a few pacing issues. There were a couple times I found myself wondering, "did I miss something?" and "how did we get here?" Yet, even with these flaws, I still found "The Christmas Train" to be an enjoyable ride!

A lower tier Hall of Fame caliber movie, but Hall of Fame worthy none the less. The cast was strong and the main actors well known and respected. Dermot Mulroney and Kimberly Williams Paisley made an attractive and likable couple. I personally find Danny Glover incredibly annoying, but I love Joan Cusack and enjoyed her role in this movie. The setting on the train to California? I loved it, but I'm prejudiced. I was lucky enough as a teen to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles on the El Capitan and The City of Los Angeles and back again during the Christmas Season. The plot was OK and benefited from being based on a David Baldacci book. The twist at the end really saved the story, though. After reading another reviewers comparison to the book, I really am considering reading the book upon which this was based.

Reviewing Hallmark Christmas movies are kind of a stupid hobby of mine, and I like to review the dreadful ones and the enjoyable ones or if I think I have something valuable to point out. I am jotting down a little review of this one because it's a cut above the usual.

Big names in the Hallmark Holiday romance...Joan Cusack, Dermot Mulroney, and Danny Glover star in this uplifting story about a cynical journalist, Tom, who takes the train from Washington, D. C. to Los Angeles for Christmas. It is a four day train ride and his goal is to write a story...so he starts talking to the passengers. There is an eavesdropping busy body named Agnes, a film director Max Powers who is their with a writer trying to write a script, an elder gentleman John who is reading A Christmas Carol because he promised his wife he would read more classics, Missy an intuitive passing out advice, a young couple who are going to be married on the train, an older gentleman Higgins who used to work on the train, and a bartender Kenny who serves hot cocoa with candy canes and a drink called The Grinch. As it turns out Tom knows the script writer, Elenor and they have a romantic past that didn't end well. Will Elenor be inspired to write a script and will Tom write his article? Will they heal the wounds from their old romance?

This is a second chance romance, with a great cast, a beautiful Christmas train backdrop and some fun supporting characters. Not your usual Hallmark holiday fare...maybe a little higher quality. I highly recommend that you see this at least once.

"Chugging down the tracks in two thousand tons of pure steel, I always hoped I'd see her again."-Tom

"Trapped in a tin can with the one person I never wanted to see. I need to get off this train."-Elenor.

Small things start to go missing on the train and the couple's minister has an accident and doesn't make his connection to the train...

"No secrets on a train, especially the Christmas train."-Agnes.

Tom's long distance girlfriend shows up, boards the train and says she wants to get married...Tom wanted to tell her he wanted to breakup! What could go wrong?

Wonderful music and a fun plot...the best part is the side characters, and Joan Cusack really steals the show (as she often does!).

"Happy endings are for movies, Max."-Elenor.

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.

The film is full of some great actors, most of whom usually play a supporting part and in an ensemble piece like this they are perfect.

It has everything you could need, romance, comedy, mystery and twists as well as snow and Christmas Carol's. It's well put together and a very interesting story that is really quite different from most films with the word Christmas in their title.

It's perfect for watching on a Sunday afternoon during the festive season, with a hot chocolate and a blanket and someone you love. It has an appeal that isn't necessarily restricted to the usual follower of the Christmas film. Heck even my Gruncle liked it.

A Christmas story on a train!