Dear Me,
I was magically transported to the days when my hair had its own zip code, and make up was worn in coats, like paint. It was delicious. The characters were fun: loved the mom, the dad had awesome dry humor and Uncle Steve was, well....Uncle Steve. (I am married to an "Uncle Steve," and his name is even Steve, and yes, it IS fun to be married to a weirdo, even after 29 years) And then there was Corbin Bernsen who is amazing in any movie (he will always be Shawn Spencer's dad, but let's not get into that right now).
I never saw or knew there was a movie before this (which I will watch now, duh), but this one stood alone and got right to the heart of Christmas - giving, love, reconciliation, forgiveness, joy. We need more movies like this, where there is a message of hope and love, not just wishes for a Christmas snow and a new fiance by the time the Town Treelighting Festival occurs (and yes, I've seen all 3429 renditions of that same plot...it's regifted each year like bad fruitcake). This one is different, in all the right ways.
Highly recommend. Love,
Me
(In Uncle Steve fashion, I wrote this review TO me, FROM me, with love.)
