Coming Home for Christmas (2017)

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The movie ends nicely and the male lead pulls it off well. I liked Danica's character at the end but not at the beginning.For someone who is supposed to be in charge of a household and who used to supervise 22 employees, she comes across as very unprofessional at first. She couldn't keep her mouth shut, she bumbled around and said such embarrassing things.She looked lovely and the story line is nice but I couldn't get past the way she was portrayed.

The acting is strong and solid. I have to admit, that Danica McKellar is very easy on the eyes. I was interested in seeing this because it takes place in my home state of Virginia. So naturally, I was wondering (if at all) I would recognize something as they might be filming on location. And apparently, not so.Perhaps its just a pet peeve of mine, but it would have been more accurate if they had the setting some place other than Virginia. For example, Virginians can be stuffy, but not New England stuffy! I do realize this film was made in Canada and they sort of shoot in the dark when it comes to getting the right flavor of the locale . But the tone was a bit off for Virginia. The characters seem very New England/Northeastern and a Butler with a British accent? That would not be commonplace here in Virginia. The help would be... well, mostly non-white. Also, while Virginia can get some decent snow amounts , its not commonplace to have snow on the ground before Christmas, and even a White Christmas isn't all that common either. I realize they may have just used the snow for affectation to make sure you knew it was "Christmasy".I'm trying to picture where in Virginia they might be, and I'm guessing outside of Washington D.C. towards the blue ridge- perhaps Loudoun or Fauquier County. While by no means Deep South, its personality here is not like depicted in this film. Virginia definitely has a more Southern lilt and a more folksy , friendly kind of wealth than the New Englander-ish style they portrayed.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!This 2017 Hallmark Christmas Theme Movie stars in Danica McKellar. She is one the many "Hallmark CHirstmas Movie" go to actress who always brings a very likable performance. In this film however she seems to be a semi-remake of another Danica McKellar Hallmark film called "A Crown FOr Christmas". In this film she plays Lizzie Richfield who just landed a job as house manager for the exclusive Ashford Estate in the Virginia countryside. While preparing the place for sale, Lizzie plans one final Christmas Eve gala for the Marley family, though they seem to be a family in name only.If you are a romantic then this film is for you.

To me, this is a different approach to a Christmas story, although it still uses many traditional plot devices. Lizzie becomes the house manager, put in the middle of a wealthy and slightly estranged family just before Christmas, and as that same house is being sold.The story is interesting even if it has no great surprises. Lizzie finds herself bringing this family together. This is a big part of the charm of this movie. It is heartwarming to see each time a connection is repaired.One thing I liked about this story is that it didn't accentuate the class difference between the Marley's and Lizzie. Unlike so many stories where unemployed girl meets rich guy, especially when it is "old-money", you can actually see these two overcoming those differences easily.Danica McKellar, as Lizzie, works that charm as this part is tailor made for her. I assume her annoying chattiness in the beginning is the story and direction rather than the acting. Given that, she carries it off. Neal Bledsoe, as Robert Marley, the head of the clan, has a difficult part. He is difficult to warm up to. The chemistry between McKellar and Bledsoe must be subtle and steady. Robert's nature is intentionally stiff and businesslike.I will gladly make this a regular Christmas movie treat.