IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
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A young woman begins a long-distance relationship with an active-duty soldier.A young woman begins a long-distance relationship with an active-duty soldier.A young woman begins a long-distance relationship with an active-duty soldier.
Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak
- Gina
- (as Chanelle Peloso)
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Did you know
- TriviaThe exterior street scenes at the beginning were shot in downtown Cloverdale--176th and 57th Ave--Ken's Diner and The Henry are visible.
Featured review
Long distance Christmas
A lot of Hallmark films, especially the Christmas ones, follow a certain formula, or have similar scenarios, so it can feel like watching the same film fifty plus times with a little bit of variation. Hallmark have though had changes of pace and had more dramatic stories that covered more mature topics, there have been a number of times where that has been done very well. 'Home for Christmas Day' is one of those more dramatic and mature in subject matter films.
Sadly, 'Home for Christmas Day' is not one of the better ones and Hallmark certainly have been better films overall than this. As well as much worse. This is if anything a well-intended, middling effort of theirs, appreciated it for what it tried to do but it didn't quite come together for me sad to say. 'Home for Christmas Day' is not a terrible film by all means and has its plus points, but it is not particularly great or good either and its plus points are matched by some big minuses.
The pluses are going to be mentioned first. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music generally captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films. The film does some genuine heart and did not leave me cold emotionally.
Best aspect is the acting, which is well above average. While not liking her character all that much, Catherine Bell does give her all and has affecting moments. Victor Webster is a sympathetic charmer in a role that could have been developed a lot more. The best performance comes from Matreya Fedor, who is very heartfelt and sincere with no going over the top. Really liked her chemistry with Anthony Konechny, which did have warmth.
Did feel however that the characters could have had more development and easier to relate to. Jane's situation is very relatable on paper and something that many mothers would identify with completely, but this was a case of her having good intentions and having an understandable point of view but going completely the wrong way about it. It is realistic for mothers to get over-protective but the film goes too far on this to the point that Jane becomes a control freak. Didn't feel an awful lot of relatable chemistry going on between Jane and Betsy, what should have been quite close even with differences and a relationship that would resonate with many in the same situation or similar turned out instead to be more distant than the long distance relationship and almost antagonistic.
Webster's performance can't be complained about, but his character is underdeveloped and is too secondary to the point of being near-unnecessary. The dialogue has well meaning and moving moments, but also too many that are corny and far too heavy on the melodrama. The same goes for the story, which also a bit all over the place in pacing. The long distance relationship unfolds unrealistically fast and structurally the film is choppy, but the story also felt over-stretched and on the dull side. The ending is too convenient and forced.
In conclusion, definitely watchable but doesn't quite come together. 5/10.
Sadly, 'Home for Christmas Day' is not one of the better ones and Hallmark certainly have been better films overall than this. As well as much worse. This is if anything a well-intended, middling effort of theirs, appreciated it for what it tried to do but it didn't quite come together for me sad to say. 'Home for Christmas Day' is not a terrible film by all means and has its plus points, but it is not particularly great or good either and its plus points are matched by some big minuses.
The pluses are going to be mentioned first. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music generally captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films. The film does some genuine heart and did not leave me cold emotionally.
Best aspect is the acting, which is well above average. While not liking her character all that much, Catherine Bell does give her all and has affecting moments. Victor Webster is a sympathetic charmer in a role that could have been developed a lot more. The best performance comes from Matreya Fedor, who is very heartfelt and sincere with no going over the top. Really liked her chemistry with Anthony Konechny, which did have warmth.
Did feel however that the characters could have had more development and easier to relate to. Jane's situation is very relatable on paper and something that many mothers would identify with completely, but this was a case of her having good intentions and having an understandable point of view but going completely the wrong way about it. It is realistic for mothers to get over-protective but the film goes too far on this to the point that Jane becomes a control freak. Didn't feel an awful lot of relatable chemistry going on between Jane and Betsy, what should have been quite close even with differences and a relationship that would resonate with many in the same situation or similar turned out instead to be more distant than the long distance relationship and almost antagonistic.
Webster's performance can't be complained about, but his character is underdeveloped and is too secondary to the point of being near-unnecessary. The dialogue has well meaning and moving moments, but also too many that are corny and far too heavy on the melodrama. The same goes for the story, which also a bit all over the place in pacing. The long distance relationship unfolds unrealistically fast and structurally the film is choppy, but the story also felt over-stretched and on the dull side. The ending is too convenient and forced.
In conclusion, definitely watchable but doesn't quite come together. 5/10.
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 3, 2021
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- Runtime1 hour 24 minutes
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By what name was Home for Christmas Day (2017) officially released in Canada in English?
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