Christmas Sail

I was 20 minutes into this movie when it occurred to me that the probable love interest had not put forth an appearance yet. Um. Could it possibly be the dumpy ethnic guy?! I continued to watch in mild disbelief when that remote possibility proved to be the case. And I loved it!

Katee Sackhoff receives word that her estranged and closed off father has hurt his arm saving a little kid from a killer Christmas Tree. She decides to spend Christmas helping him out with perhaps a dim hope that she can repair her relationship with her adorable little daughter's grandfather in the "house where Christmas goes to die." I liked all of the actors in this. Katee won me over with her gummy smile and actually even became more and more appealing as the movie progressed. Terry Quinn was great of course. He was affecting in conveying his grief over his wife's death which happened at Christmas time (of course), his scroogey behavior, and his touching opening up with his daughter by way of his delightful granddaughter. The young actress, Emma Oliver, was so natural in her portrayal. What a talent! And so pretty.

They compete in the parade of Christmas decorated boats in order to win the $25,000 prize needed to save financially challenged grandpa 's home ("My wife took care of all of that" but apparently he managed to pay the electricity bill?) But what ever. Also "whatever" to how a 25,000 prize is more that a drop in the bucket to a house that is worth more than a half million dollars.

Katie and her childhood friend who went from dumpy to cuddly, in my mind, as the movie progressed, confess their love which commenced for both of them in high school to each others mutual shock. It was very romantic in my opinion. She says she has to go home to her regular life and he has to stay with his mother. Both reasons are totally bogus, by the way. But they don't get all tragic about it, which is refreshing.

The boat parade occurs and the special surprise piece de resistance for our boat wows everyone, including me-I teared up. They win. Happy ending. I would have liked more closure to the romance with the steps forward mapped out for the lovable couple, but hope is strong. All in all, this was well worth watching, I liked it, and it was well done.

I thought this was one of the better Countdown to Christmas movies in recent years. The acting all around is good, including the scene-stealing kid. The plot was okay (not sure they really needed the sailing prize aspect of it; in fact story would have been better without it). One of these days Hallmark will let its characters do a full kiss instead of one of those where they plaster their lips together and try not to move. But an entertaining watch with a real emotional scene at the end. Well worth the effort.

This felt like a Christmas movie not just a Hallmark Christmas movie. Real good. Terry O'Quinn unreal as usual. Feel good movie. Make sure to catch this one in 2021 holiday season. 8/10 from me. Loved the atmosphere too!

I Thought it to be a very entertaining movie and really enjoyed seeing Katee Sackhoff from the LONGMIRE series again, Yes I will recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 11/10/2021.

I have to disagree with the low star ratings from other reviews.... I found the story a delightful change from the "traditional" winter wonderland holiday romance movies. Thank you Hallmark for going a different direction with this movie! I did not find that there were any real issues with the lead, it is more a case of you either like Katee or you don't...so thinking the lower reviews simply don't care for the lead. I like to think I am a bit more open minded and can actually rate a movie on the entire film and cast and not on one actor! I am neither a fan or not of Katee but I enjoyed her in this movie. There should be nervous laughter, the two characters that are rekindling their childhood romance are nervous and unsure, it should be expected, it certainly would be in real life... Was the result expected, of course... it's a Hallmark and that is the way we want our Hallmark movies to end. But, the unexpected part, and you all know who watched this know what I am talking about, well that did make me cry and it was beautiful.... so after the horrible year the world has been through in 2020 and now 2021 it is an absolutely joy to be seeing a NEW Hallmark Christmas movie and I for one found it a delight!