Our Holiday Story

7.9 stars.

I was a bit skeptical at first, but the story requires a well developed back story to deliver full effect. Once the background is clarified, the film takes on a whole new meaning and becomes quite entertaining and well rounded.

There are four fully developed characters. I was impressed they were able to develop all of them the way they did. The young man is the least developed of the four however, they found ways to bring out his personality, and it was genius. The young woman is a bit more developed, and then the mom and dad are basically the main characters.

What seems very strange to me, is watching the evolution of two major Hallmark actors, becoming "older". In other words, this was the first transition for them to become middle-aged characters. I find it a bit unnerving, because I've been watching 15 years of them portraying adults in their thirties and early forties, but this is a transition into older adults with adult children. It feels weird mainly because it reminds me of my own age and how these two actors, younger than myself, are not so young anymore. I digress.

Wonderful story. It's really great at the end. Adorable and vulnerable characters. It doesn't get much better than this.

I watch a lot of Hallmark/GA Family movies (a secret hobby) and they have a certain grading criteria and expectation for me apart from other genres. My 9/10 is purely for this niche and shouldn't be compared to mainstream and blockbuster films. This movie has relatable characters with better than average acting on the whole and a likable plot that deviates from the traditional "script." Sure, there is no shortage of miscommunication as the main antagonist, but I think that the flashback storytelling is compelling. There is no weird love triangle or an ex trying to get back into the picture by stirring things up. It is an enjoyable, lighthearted hallmark movie that also packs plenty of real emotional moments that tugs on the heart. Definitely deserves a watch. Hoping for more releases like this- good start to the season!

I really liked the premise and the acting of both Nikki Deloach (Nell) and Warren Christie (Dave). What I didn't care for was the divorced storyline where the exes are still friends doing things together including Christmas parties?!? Why did they get married and why aren't they still married? That added a whole creepy element to the story for me.

A daughter plans to bring her boyfriend home to meet her family for Christmas...only her train is delayed and the boyfriend ends up alone at her parent's house with them for days. While there he asks her dad and step-mom how they met...which is a holiday story that starts and stops, but is ultimately entertaining.

Ultimately loved the premise and the actors, but I think maybe people who can relate to divorce etc. Might enjoy this film more than I did. Life is rough enough and I enjoy hallmark for the fantasy.

When you already know the ending of the A story, the movie needs to do a good job of showcasing the journey, since the destination is already set. Our Holiday Story brings us on this journey, but the stakes are low and does only a passable job at entertaining along the way.

The A story is the retelling of how Dave (Warren Christie) and Nell (Nikki DeLoach) met 8 years earlier. When we first meet them they are together, married and parents. They are asked to retell this mild tale by the boyfriend of Dave's daughter, who missed a train, forcing her boyfriend to meet the dad and step mom alone.

If the story focused on their nearly decade old romance alone, we'd be in for a snoozefest, but never fear, the B story is here! Johanna (Sydney Scotia) and the aforementioned boyfriend Chris (Gavin Langelo) are having trouble (sorta) expressing their very strong and lasting love for eachother, because you know . . . When you really love someone in that mutual way, the real trouble is saying it . . . Right?

Throw in a job title of comptroller, a Christmas festival, lots of talk of fruit cake and ugly sweaters, missed trains, dead phone batteries, and missed opportunities- oh, and constantly lying and you have the makings of a low stakes, albeit sweet movie.

Cast Kudos: 9 stars for Sydney Scotia. She plays 16 and 24 (I think), well and differently. She's just a joy to watch in this movie because she's so happy with a great smile, but then things go south and you can feel that too.

Alternative titles: A Christmas of Missed Chances; How a Comptroller stole Christmas; Meet the Christmas Parents.

There is a lot to like about this movie. The story telling vehicle is different and clever way of past and present. The casting is great. Nikki plays well Nikki's typical HM character but I always like her. Warren I always love too and plays a great dad/romantic interest. I think the daughter and bf were good even with small times, the actress playing the daughter did well as the overly adult teen and adult in her own romance. The other part I really like is that the couple is divorced but great friends and good parents (instead of the typical widow or deadbeat ex or cause of drama).

The storyline is good. I don't think there was enough contention to cause so much drama and the rift. But it's HM there has to be the big drama near the end and here we get it today with the younger generation and 10 years ago we it's the main couple.

I did find it a bit slow in the middle. There should have been one more missed connection instead of the stupidity of names for so long.

This has great potential, good acting, etc but just a tad dull about half way through. It's not a definite would watch again but maybe in a few years when it's on.