Dashing Home for Christmas

This is a road trip with one, ridiculous, over the top challenge after another. The leads were supposed to be an "opposites attract" type couple, she was harried and determined to get home for Christmas, and he a goofy but helpful, anchor she had to drag along in order to make it home. I found the male lead to be self righteous, obnoxious and rude, rather than the big hearted, caring, Clark Kent type they were going for. There are some cute and sweet moments, and the acting was good, but for most of the movie, I just wanted to see her smack him!

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime, Hallmark and UPTV. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. 'Dashing Home for Christmas' had the sort of premise that had strong potential of being in the former category.

In terms of execution, 'Dashing Home for Christmas' was luckily in the former category. There are some Christmas films seen recently that started off badly and got much better, some that was good all the way through and some that never took off. 'Dashing Home for Christmas' is in the category of being very solidly executed for most of the length but peters out in the final portions. If asked whether it is recommended, my answer would be yes with it being one of the better and more surprising Christmas films seen recently.

'Dashing Home for Christmas' has more good than bad. The production values still manage to be pleasing on the whole. It's not too drab or garish in photography and the scenery has a real charm to it. Some of the music has some pleasant nostalgic moments. The performances are good, Paniz Zade and Adrian Spencer are wholly committed and engaging. While Spencer's character is not easy to like at first, the more developed he becomes the more one warms to him.

Loved the chemistry between the two, which was warm and genuine with some wit and it unfolds realistically. Not moving too fast or taking too long to develop and then rushing it through after a plot development. Diana Cofini amuses in her role without overplaying. The character interaction is never disconnected. The script flows at least and is not too cheesy or too saccharine. The story is light hearted and full of warmth and charm. The characters had personality and they were ones that appealed, the two lead characters being fresh takes on cliches. Only had reservations with Spencer's to begin with.

However, the final quarter is a little on the contrived side. Did think too that the conflict could have had more tension and could have been developed more, that for my tastes was rather abruptly introduced and felt under-baked.

There are times where the editing was a bit hasty looking.

On the whole though, quite well done. 7/10.

A cliché ridden formulaic Christmas movie where the main character have to get home to family despite every obstacle thrown in their path.

The romance that develops along the way between the two leads seems highly unlikely as they are two very different personalities. Although the guy is the more likeable of the two I never felt invested in the characters. Watch if you've got nothing better to do on a damp cold December afternoon.

My wife and I watched this at home, during the Holiday season. It is a good time-passer but frankly is not a very good movie. The script isn't particularly well written, the dialog most often seems forced or incongruous. And the acting is mediocre at best. But the overall message is good, finding family where you can find it and making the best of things.

This is in essence the same movie as "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" but with a cute female and a cute male. They are both business professionals, they start in New York and are headed home to Seattle. He talks to much and she wants to finish up some work. Weather causes an interruption in the plane part of the trip, so they go in together to rent a car, try to catch a train, but end up taking a bus. Even the ending, with the stranger as a guest at the family Christmas Eve dinner.

I think its IMDb rating is a bit high, it is just pleasant diversion if you can get past many of the annoyances. It is not a Hallmark movie but pretty much follows the formula.

This is fine for all ages and there are many good points/examples throughout the movie. However I've seen it all before in the various Christmas journey sagas - there is nothing new at all. They could have injected a bit of humor/excitement into the end of the movie with everyone 'dashing' off to the hospital but the car tyre going etc and continuing in a van like the one mentioned earlier just to have some kind of visual throw back to this otherwise dialogue-heavy movie. Other visual comedy could have been achieved with travelers' Christmas sweaters / outfits, anything just to make it all less bland. However it must be fairly realistic, as I had travel fatigue watching this.