Holiday Road

Hallmark you've hit a home run! I had given up on most of the Hallmark movies...so tired of the same theme, just different actors in a different setting - -> for years on end. And, for a long time, featuring the same people in the leading rolls, even if their acting skills were lacking. This movie has delightful people who play their parts well. Love anything Warren Christie does, so that was a bonus. It created in me a whole host of feelings & emotions. This was a wonderful movie to lead into the holiday season right after Thanksgiving. It left me wanting more... I didn't want it to end. It was that good.

A heartfelt, well written movie about strangers who are forced by circumstances to travel together to get to Denver in time for Christmas. Done honestly, without silliness and with great heart and soul. The ensemble cast was great, with each story emotionally powerful. It was just lovely. I loved the current trend subplot of the vlogger. What delight. I was surprised and had sych low expectations after so very many silly movies so far this year. I had almost given up hope that we would see a heartfelt movie in the old beloved Hallmark tradition. Definitely a winner! There were even a few sweetbsurprises in the subplots. Watch this one.

When Hallmark put their mind to it, THIS is what you get: "Holiday Road", a heartfelt, thoughtful and heartwarming Christmas movie about a group of strangers from different walks of life stranded in Portland and needing to get to Denver for Christmas for a multitude of oft-complicated reasons.

With flights grounded due to a winter storm, they rent one of those big Mercedes Sprinter Vans and drive there instead...learning about themselves and each other along the way, on a trip that doesn't quite go to plan. (Based on a true story, at least according to the opening credits.)

So many wonderful scenes. Well-written and well acted by the diverse cast - the casting is top-notch - with a great soundtrack, and, crucially, avoiding most of the usual Hallmark tropes. There are some melancholy moments and some happy moments, and an ending that, although a little predictable, hits you right in the feels.

Really loved this.

When you set out to watch "Holiday Road", you instantly think, oh, here's another take on "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", which is an all-time classic. If you've seen it, you know it's a cornball comedy with heart, that leaves you feeling positive about human-relations. Overlook the sometimes sub-par acting and over-the-top silliness, here, and you actually can experience the goodwill between people of different creeds (purposeful), when they share a common experience (like a long bus/van trip), as in tragedies and disasters. It's unfathomable, in this world, that nine strangers would ever collaborate to rideshare a long distance, so you have to be open-minded (and patient) about the initial prep of the storyline. Nine central characters are a lot to follow (you have to pay attention), but the directors allot enough dialog that they each stay inter-connected in the ongoing journey. You begin to have empathy for each of the characters in their personal quests. I commend the background music, as well - the Christmas songs were original and played only in appropriate scenes. Social-networking (somewhat new in Hallmark movies) was also well-incorporated, and cleverly instrumental in the unfolding drama. As the movie comes to a close, each character receives a poignant moment, which leaves you satisfied for the enrichment you receive for "riding" this one out to the finish...

This movie was an unexpected treasure. I love anything Warren Christie is in and he didn't disappoint here. He reluctantly becomes the de facto leader of a group of stranded travelers who each have their reason for trying to get to Denver for Christmas. Along their journey.they are interviewed by the TikTok influencer in their group. What starts out as annoying becomes something much more. There are tears, many many laughs, even Christmas costumes. The characters are an odd assortment, each with a secret. How those are revealed, and worked through, is the heart of this movie. It was surprisingly charming and worth at least another viewing.