Home for Christmas

This is a classic romcom written from a Word '97 template, with all the inventiveness of a bank teller on Valium. Imagine every romcom ever made, except that the actors are less good than usual. Basically a long series of clichés, cheesy and predictable. An exercise in box ticking of worn-out narrative devices.

There are a couple of elderly characters who appear briefly and briefly awake the spectator from their slumber, but it's really too little to love. The setting in Brighton could have at least supplied some nice backdrops, but it's way underused.

I can't believe that, at the time of writing this film has a score of 7.2. Seriously people, this is one hour and a half of your life that you used to watch this. Do you really ask so little from your movies?

Where to start?! It's great to see British movies but here the story is fine at best, the essence is there but lacks any real punch. The directing is dreadful, all the dialogue is hammy, in mere moments films like The Princess Bride (however cheesy) can make you believe in love, but here I never bought into it. The actors are very capable seeing them in wonderful drama's like Skins and Game Of Thrones, so I can only put the lack of emotion down to bad direction and bad writing. The conversation never flows. Everyone only ever speaks in single sentences and never with any conviction. It's such a frustrating movie that I'd like to love but is lacking a heart. As a side note, the person that did the subtitles on Amazon Prime must have been totally disinterested in this movie too, as half the time the subtitles just say "mumbling" when it's clear to tell what the actors are saying.

What a very good looking cast on this film. As well as the director who looks very gorgeous. I really enjoyed watching this film and it gave me a lovely, heart warming feel when viewing. Can't wait for more of Jamie's films to be released so I can watch these masterpieces!

It has everything a Rom-Com needs: love, cheeky jokes, an awesome best friend, a pushy mother, a supportive grandfather, a nice boss (yes, they still exist), a passionate ex-girlfriend, a charismatic ex-boyfriend, sweet moments, funny ones, great quotes, a lovely story and two absolutely amazing leads. Plus, the Christmasy spirit, which I for one, am a complete fan of.

Now, you tell me, what more could you possibly need from a romantic comedy?

To end this, I have to admit that I laughed, cried and felt everything the characters went through. It is one of the movies that deserve a chance because it makes you think "hmm, that part happened to me or it might have". "Home for Christmas" is that type of movie that makes you simply feel alive.

Watching this film feels like you're watching a film made by a local theatre group (in a bad way). Some of the worst acting I've ever seen, especially from the best friend character. I understand it's a low budget film, but with some good actors it could have been a cute cult flick. Instead it has all the quality of an extended episode of Hollyoaks. 3 stars for effort.