Navidad, loca Navidad

With the exception of Sonequa Martin-Green, there is not a single likeable character. She must have been exhausted carrying the whole damn movie!

It's not a *bad* film, but it feels about 3 hours long and the hideously unpleasant child characters kind of make you hope they have a crummy christmas.

Worst of all, sadly, is the dad... sheesh... wooden as a door!

Although engaging in a way, it misses something. It feels like a half-hearted christmas story, that is totally predictable and all and sure it's about family values and such. But it left me wondering, what am I missing...? Hence the half-hearted rating.

I liked this. It was a nice change from the "accomplished woman visits small town and sees the error of her evil ways".

The kids were portrayed as spoiled. Luckily they didn't dwell on any egregious behaviour - no one wants to watch extended bratty behaviour. But I actually thought the teenage son's situation was a little different. His sisters were straight out greedy and spoiled but he had a point to his complaint. His job had to be to study and get into Harvard. His dad's job was to fund it. This was yanked from him While obviously his dad didn't get fired on purpose, I never saw them actually acknowledge that the son's loss was or could be truly life changing. An acknowledgement can go a long way. Suggesting he go to community college with no actual discussion was something else. I know it wasn't the point of the movie but how about a conversation about alternate funding, scholarships etc. I mean they actually could have used the house sale money to fund the schooling. It reminded me of other situations where things have been yanked from teens and they are supposed to just get on with things with no acknowledgement that the teen has suffered a loss. They aren't just a child in the family but a person outside of the family.

If anything , this could have used more of the bad guys in the plot. I thought they were going to set up more roadblocks to the new radio station. I think that is where this movie could have shone.

It was a solid 7 and +1 for Darlene Love belting out her signature Christmas song at the end. Look her up if you don't know her history.

Who doesn't love a wee Christmas movie that warms you up and make you grateful for all you have. It also reminds you that although life can throw you curve balls, it won't be like that for ever. Things will get better.

Not sure about the bad reviews but I actually enjoyed this film. I thought the kids played exactly how they were written to be: entitled, spoiled, bougie kids who have been given everything, never knowing sacrifice, lack and hardship. I enjoyed the story, the acting (the actress who played Roxie was great!). It's a Christmas movie - give it a chance.