Vacances en famille

Definitely one to watch with the little ones.

The Vickerys, a family of successful but stressed city folk, reluctantly escape to the wilderness of a National Forest retreat left to them by their recently late uncle.

A familiar plot idea and one that is carried well enough for the intended audience here. Initially just fulfilling an obligation to their late uncle of visiting the land bequeathed to them, the family inevitably connect with the outdoors life.

There will be no plot surprises here, but this is intended for a very young audience and is clearly a Hallmark Channel production (evident even to this reviewer, who is actually a UK resident where we don't even get the Hallmark Channel). There is no bad language, no sex, no violence.... instead there is a fun Sunday afternoon feel-good film to watch with your family.

Of particular interest is Peter Strauss playing Wild Bill Cohen, a rancher who left his city life to be an outdoorsman just as the Vickerys seem fated to. I personally found Cohen's fireside tales and Strauss's quick quipping portrayal of him to suggest a fantastically interesting background story... I'd hope to see Strauss return in the tale of Cohen.

Finally, a nice family film without violence, sex, horror, blood drama or trauma. Cast says Peter Graves, but I didn't notice him at all. Thought he died long ago. no?

Beautiful scenery. Family becomes closer as a result of teamwork, missing daughter, communicating, and trusting one another. Dad stands up to his boss and puts family first. They all learn to ride and round up horses. They actually seem to enjoy living in a cabin with no indoor shower. I got chills just watching that part.

There is some fear when worry that a bear or some other carnivore is stalking them, only to find out that it's just a lone wolf.

I kinda wish Wild Bill had been younger and/or better looking. His script could have been better instead of so many trite lines.

A romance between him and Charlotte would have made this a 10.