Time for You to Come Home for Christmas

If memory serves, this was only the second Christmas movie Alison Sweeney has made in her association with Hallmark, both have been well worth the watch. It also helps to have a low key talented costar that plays off of Sweeney, she surely found that in this flick. it would not bother me in the least to have this pair associated with other HMM releases, be it another Christmas movie or some other mystery production that HMM does so well.

This Christmas offering by Hallmark starts at a Christmas Ball from twenty years ago, where a young man surprises his sweetheart who is so busy baking cookies she missed the ball, but he shows up so they can have a dance together anyway.

I was excited to see a Christmas movie starring Allison Sweeney (who I loved in Murder she Baked...ok I love her in everything!...she would have chemistry with cardboard!) and Lucas Bryant (who I loved in both Haven and MVP...ok, I have loved him in everything I have seen him in)...which is why I was really looking forward to seeing them together and they didn't disappoint!

Alison Sweeney plays a single mom/widower, Katherine (Kat), who lives in Boston with her son working at a bank. She takes time off to spend Christmas with her son, Will and her mom tries to talk her in to coming home for a small town Christmas, since it has been two years since her husband's passing. Seeing her son's lack of enthusiasm for staying in Boston convinces, Katherine Moss to go home to Virginia where she will have to face the memories of her late husband.

Before she can even get on the train with her son, Katherine has a meet-cute with what appears to be a street musician when she accidentally drops money in to his actual coffee cup, much to her embarrassment. They end up spending the train-ride together, musician with his "mystery patron". Katherine's son, Will, is quite the artist and they share stories over Christmas cookies on the train. Our musicians name is Jack and he ends up in the same small Virginia town for Christmas. Jack, alone, and Katherine to face her demons. Jack says he is going to "see an old friend".

Kat's mom is struggling to keep up the demands of all of the holiday baking at her bakery and is considering selling the business. She had always thought Kat would eventually take over. Meanwhile a mystery unfolds as to why Jack is in town and coincidentally Kat's husband's band gets back together...with Jack filling in as his replacement for the annual Snow Ball. Meanwhile Jack is talking to a mystery woman named Norah on the phone.

"Small world"-Jack to Kat

Jack works for the USO, post two army tours and an injury...and he can quote Casablanca. As it turns out Kat's husband, Tyler's death is linked to the reason why Jack is in town.

"You are so well put together, it is nice to find a flaw."-Jack

Classic film highlighted: Beyond Tomorrow

Beautiful story that made me want to read the original book it was based on. This is a Christmas highlight.

It is just special. Sure, a Halmark but proposing more than the sweet- easy romance in the Christmas frame. Something old fashion defines it from humor to acting. And wise meet of story and perception of Christmas as good moment of memories, gratitude . Short, smart ( special sounds better ) .

This is one of Hallmark's best productions of the 2019 Christmas season - or any year. Once in awhile Hallmark will cast a perfect couple for a story - two talented stars who just seem to click and end up giving very natural and believable performances that serve to make the entire movie a worthwhile experience. Such was the case in 2017 with Julie Benz and Michael Shanks in "Christmas Homecoming," Kimberley Sustad and Paul Campbell in 2018's "A Godwink Christmas," and now this. Alison Sweeney is just terrific here giving a heartfelt and convincing performance as a mother who is dealing with the loss of her husband, while trying to put up a good front and help her son cope with the loss of his father at the same time. Together, they encounter Jack (played by Lucas Bryant) on a train bound for the mother's hometown at Christmas time and, eventually, a relationship evolves amid some good mystery involving just why did Jack come to town. This is Hallmark at its best - when it has a script that involves some interesting intrigue and employs very capable actors who "fit' and work well together. Sweeney gives a very nuanced and natural performance without being maudlin and Bryant is totally sincere and likable. Add great sets and costumes, nice cinematography and direction, and Kiefer O'Reilly (who recently was excellent in an episode of "The Good Doctor" as a patient going blind) as the son, and you've got a memorable Christmas movie that is worth more than one viewing.

This reminded me of the "God Wink" Movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, which I love! The cast was an excellent choice, especially the lead actors, Allison Sweeney and Lucas Bryant, who had great on screen chemistry.