Christmas on Wheels

This movie is a bit like a secret Santa plot and a bit like a hometown-girl-comes-home-to-throw-a pageant. Maybe add a little pay it forward or random acts of Christmas. Really this story is mostly unique.

The story is heartwarming as major characters join together to bring back a tradition of giving to the needy. Several sentimental stories are remembered in the process. Still, the story is pretty simple with no great highs or low, or surprises. Likewise there is almost no tension other than the pull on Ashley back to the big city.

Michael Xavier and Tiya Sircar has modest chemistry. It's there, but it isn't overwhelming. Likewise, most of the acting is good.

Don't start on plot holes because there are a lot, but they really don't matter. For example, Ashley gives away dozens of her the items she was saving to sell, but she is supposed to be seriously considering a lease on her first store. Not the mention the value of what both she and Duncan donate to the auction. And my experience with car parts is that there are volumes of listings with lines of specific items by year for them and that would be magnified going back to the sixties and Ashley never even takes not of a part number. Like I said - the plot holes don't matter.

It's a sweet romantic story with warm feelings of a generous Christmas spirit.

Well, it is original, in the sense that I have not seen many Christmas movies about a magical car bringing people together. The story is a warm one, but it did take me a while to be drawn into it. As another reviewer pointed out, it is, at times, a bit...how should I say this...slow. And some of the scenes felt rushed and underdeveloped. For example, the scene towards the end, where they stopped in the street and started randomly handing out gifts, seemed a bit off to me. That said, the acting was fairly good overall. Tiya Sircar (as Ashely) is a decent actor. Her performance here was solid. Michael Xavier too had a good performance. I am not sure I saw any believable chemistry between the two. At times, it felt like they were becoming good friends as opposed to getting romantically involved. If there was chemistry, then it was very low key. I was surprised to see no kissing scene at the end, which is the typical ending in this genre of film. Hmmm...maybe this is a bit refreshing. The supporting cast was decent too. Kristen Kurnik (as Hannah) had a good performance. At first, I thought there was something a bit off with Randy Thomas's (as Tony, the uncle) performance, but by the end, I warmed up to him. The scenery, props and sets were not bad, but not as polished as, e.g., Hallmark films. It was a bit funny at times when Ashely referred to 100-year-old antiques that looked like they were recently purchased in Kmart (nothing against Kmart). Overall, it is a good enough, middle of the road Christmas movie with an original story and some solid acting.

This is my 2nd time watching this film and I just realized that the protagonists mother was talking to her as an angel through the car because it would not start until the old boyfriend came in for a ride too.

The movie itself has a pleasant score that's appropriate for the most part. The directing and camera angles are pretty good and I find the dad's quirky behavior refreshing.

2020 was very variable though not too bad when it came to Lifetime's Christmas films, and there was definitely the sense that the films were made in a rush with not a lot of preparation time. Yet enough of them were far from amateur-hour efforts and were still watchable all things considered. Lifetime just have done a lot better in some previous years, although their festive output is very hit and miss it should not be dismissed outright as enough have left me pleasantly surprised.

Was very conflicted with my thoughts with 'Christmas on Wheels'. It does have things done well, but also has a lot of big problems that make it a real mixed bag of a film. As far as Lifetime's 2020 output goes, it's one of the lesser ones though others are worse. Really did like that it did try to do something different, especially concerning the things that brings the two lead characters together, and appreciated that, but the film could have done so much more with it. A case of different not always meaning better.

'Christmas on Wheels' does have good things. Despite his character being underdeveloped and underwritten, Michael Xavier nonetheless brings an easy going charm that is never forced or bland. The supporting cast also doing well, with Kristen Kurnik injecting spice to the film whenever she appears.

The film also at least looks professional, with lovely scenery in particular. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't feel overused, also it has a festive sound to it. Too often not the case with Lifetime. A few sweet, warm-hearted moments.

However, 'Christmas on Wheels' has many big failings. Tiya Sircar shows little personality while also overplaying yet another variation of the exaggerated character flaw-filled female lead character seen so often. Absolutely agree about there being no chemistry between Sircar and Xavier, they look very under-rehearsed and too distant and nervous together and it would be hard believing them as friends let alone lovers. The relationship itself is also very under-explored and doesn't really go very far most of the time before rushing through when there is a little progression in the plot. All the characters are not well developed at all, cardboard cut-outs is an apt description.

Much of the story is too thin and takes too long to get going. Very little engages as well because of the lifeless pacing and routine at best direction, and what there is of the story is filled with more cliches than you can count, an over-reliance on over-convenient coincidences and forced and bland conflict later on before once again wrapping up too hastily and unrealistically neatly. Heart and charm generally aren't there. The script doesn't flow and is full of cheese and sugar.

Overall, tolerable but these wheels are full of bumps. 5/10.

Such a cute and unique Christmas story! Breath of fresh air amongst the others that you've heard over and over again...loved every minute of it!!