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.

Every element is in this movie from comedy to sadness and it all works well. Yes, there are many characters and it takes a while in the movie to learn about them but it works. Kudos to the actors and production staff for pulling together a quality product. Also, there are very few Hallmarkish elements here which leads to a fresh story. About the only traditional Hallmark thingy I can think of is their avoiding use of Interstates as Hallmark seems to prefer back roads, even when it is silly to do so. But, the movie was fun. Every story line for each character worked and the ending, while fairly predictable, also worked and was uplifting. I hope to see more fresh and original productions like this one.

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...

I know the romantic leads have to start off disliking each other, but this was too much. I hated Clay so much at first that if I saw him in real life it would not have been pretty. Dana didn't help things. Maybe she was provoked. Clay was ridiculous being entitled ordering his coffee without regard to anyone else, but Dana was pretty rude back. Clay did other things too. Then, miraculously, the animosity goes poof. They fall in love in 2-3 days.

There were a lot of other stories too. Two were married and two more mom and son, so the 9 people broke down to 7 stories, or backstories. Most of the backstories were really hard.

The trip along the way had some mildly interesting stops, but as the movie winds down each of the separate stories has a conclusion that fills in whatever blanks are remaining. A couple were blatant attempts to bring tears, and they kind of worked.

Along the way, the mom traveling alone (I can't keep 9 main characters' names straight) sang a touching rendition of a famous hymn. It left her in tears. When we find out why, it is even more so. Those of you who want to leave God out of these movies will be glad that the reason wasn't religious.

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.