There are some typical themes in this story but also some fresh angles. An investigative reporter has a dream to do a human interest story so we have a fairly usual quest for the story. But the setting is a Navy carrier and her personal backstory as a Navy brat folds into the larger story. There are echoes of the earlier Christmas movie "Operation Christmas" which is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. Maddie faces similar concerns as Olivia did in the other movie, but for Maddie the concerns are more first hand.
Jen Lilly and Trevor Donavan have chemistry from the first wine spill. Even as each of their characters hesitates, they are still comfortable with each other. The obligatory sparring is never mean spirited. Maddie and Billy's relationship is fun as they chase a mystery together.
The mystery is never really one for the viewer to solve because the details have to be pursued by the reporter and her helpers. But that story folds into Maddie and Billy's story in a heartwarming way. There are several other heartwarming moments even before we learn the outcome of the story.
A little like the old JAG TV show, military honor and service are idealized, but not overly so.
Please, if you found discrepancies in military protocol or other factual issues, remember that this is not a documentary and it doesn't seem like rigid accuracy was the goal of the people making the movie. These movies are only a few steps removed from Fantasy or SciFi in terms of realism.
Jen Lilly and Trevor Donavan have chemistry from the first wine spill. Even as each of their characters hesitates, they are still comfortable with each other. The obligatory sparring is never mean spirited. Maddie and Billy's relationship is fun as they chase a mystery together.
The mystery is never really one for the viewer to solve because the details have to be pursued by the reporter and her helpers. But that story folds into Maddie and Billy's story in a heartwarming way. There are several other heartwarming moments even before we learn the outcome of the story.
A little like the old JAG TV show, military honor and service are idealized, but not overly so.
Please, if you found discrepancies in military protocol or other factual issues, remember that this is not a documentary and it doesn't seem like rigid accuracy was the goal of the people making the movie. These movies are only a few steps removed from Fantasy or SciFi in terms of realism.