Una famiglia sotto l'albero

Really did like the premise for 'My Christmas Family Tree', no make that love. It sounded so moving and you know a film does something right when its premise immediately connects with you even before watching like it did with me (more so than most of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films). It, meaning the premise and the film itself, also connected with some close friends who regularly watch Hallmark, a couple of whom having been in this situation so it hit home for them.

'My Christmas Family Tree' wholly lived up to its premise and the high expectations had (actually did have higher expectations for it than most Hallmark Christmas films). While not a flawless film, it was very well done. Out of a very hit and miss year for Hallmark, 'My Christmas Family Tree' to me is a strong contender for the best Hallmark Christmas film for that year and certainly one of the best acted. Also one of their best Christmas outings in quite some time, as well as one of their most emotional and personal.

Will agree with those that say that it loses its way at the conclusion, which is underdeveloped and not particularly plausible. Due to everything with the DNA not adding up, and also thought that one clue was left too vague.

Everything else though is very good to great. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. A lot of Hallmark's Christmas films suffer from being over-scored, meaning being too constantly used and too loud. That isn't so big a problem here. The script is a lot less cheesy and schmaltzy than most Hallmark Christmas films and did find it very sincere, very affecting and that it never sounded awkward.

Furthermore, that the story departed from the usual Hallmark Christmas film formula and took on a more serious, a more personal and more true to life situation. There is nothing cheesy or over-sentimental in how this subject is handled either, it came over as truly poignant, lovingly gentle and well meaning and also with a good deal of warmth and charm. Really did connect with the story emotionally. The characters were ones that were easy to care for and relate to. Aimee Teegarden is very charming and moving here and Andrew Walker is a strong sympathetic partner. Their chemistry is gentle and genuine, without being too low key. James Tupper stands out in support.

Summarising, very well done. 8/10.

This was such a lovely Christmas movie: a warm and engaging story with a beautiful holiday message, some wonderful and endearing performances, and just the right amount of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. Hands down, one of the best this year thus far. The story follows Vanessa (played by Aimee Teegarden) who, after receiving her family tree DNA test results, sets out to meet her biological father (Richard, played by James Tupper). She soon finds herself traveling to her new family's home for Christmas, meeting Kris (played by Andrew Walker), a friend of her new family, along the way. The DNA match storyline is the second, I believe, for Hallmark. The first was 'Love, Lights, Hanukkah!' which premiered last year (another good holiday movie). The script is well written. The writer does a great job of capturing this welcoming and lovely family as they meet and spend time with Vanessa. As a viewer, it was easy to connect and engage with the story, with the characters. I might have even shed a tear or two. Though the story has some minor flaws, as other reviewers have pointed out, this takes nothing away from the viewing experience, I felt, which was simply delightful. What makes this all work on screen, of course, is the acting. Overall, the performances were brilliant, especially Teegarden's. She had this warm and gentle vibe to her performance that was easy to connect with on-screen. Indeed, it made the family's welcoming nature much more believable and relatable. Tupper too had a very convincing performance as Vanessa's father. What about our Hallmark favorite, Walker? He too was impressive. His supporting nature seemed effortless. There was this natural eases between Kris and Vanessa, which made me immediately start rooting for them. Given the nature of the story, the chemistry between the two was just about right. The supporting cast is also noteworthy as they all brought something to the table in this one. All in all, it is a warm and heartfelt Christmas movie with some remarkable acting, a wonderful new addition to Hallmark's 2021 lineup. I highly recommend it.

A fresh story and a loving family are the canvas for a charming Christmas picture. There may be some minor inconsistencies , sure, but the characters feel real, effortlessly nice and loving. Andrew Walker seems relaxed and warm , as in his best roles. The real magic, though, comes from Aimee Teegarden. The script is mostly about her character and she delivers. Like a previous reviewer, I loved her in "Once upon a Christmas miracle" of a few years back. She is again wonderfully convincing in portraying a sweet vulnerable young woman and provides the rich emotions a good Christmas story intends to offer. It is great to watch a movie that leaves you feeling good inside.

Starting with the script which is better than average and a very good cast starting with the mainstay James Tupper and adding in Kendall Cross, Aimee Teegarden and Andrew Walker, they made it work. James Tupper's performance was very natural and believable, which contributed to the believability of the story.

It could have been another "near miss" Hallmark movie, but this one worked. The child actors were also good. Kudos to the cast.

This year the hallmark Christmas movies are actually good and this one is one of the best. What I liked about it the most is it's not all about the romance that's more the secondary story and it actually has a story.