Home for Christmas

This is a classic romcom written from a Word '97 template, with all the inventiveness of a bank teller on Valium. Imagine every romcom ever made, except that the actors are less good than usual. Basically a long series of clichés, cheesy and predictable. An exercise in box ticking of worn-out narrative devices.

There are a couple of elderly characters who appear briefly and briefly awake the spectator from their slumber, but it's really too little to love. The setting in Brighton could have at least supplied some nice backdrops, but it's way underused.

I can't believe that, at the time of writing this film has a score of 7.2. Seriously people, this is one hour and a half of your life that you used to watch this. Do you really ask so little from your movies?

It has everything a Rom-Com needs: love, cheeky jokes, an awesome best friend, a pushy mother, a supportive grandfather, a nice boss (yes, they still exist), a passionate ex-girlfriend, a charismatic ex-boyfriend, sweet moments, funny ones, great quotes, a lovely story and two absolutely amazing leads. Plus, the Christmasy spirit, which I for one, am a complete fan of.

Now, you tell me, what more could you possibly need from a romantic comedy?

To end this, I have to admit that I laughed, cried and felt everything the characters went through. It is one of the movies that deserve a chance because it makes you think "hmm, that part happened to me or it might have". "Home for Christmas" is that type of movie that makes you simply feel alive.

The two main characters are sweet and connect. I would have like to see more of them together doing something other than making out.

The movie suffers from a low budget and some clumsy transitions. The pathetic and awkward lives of the characters in the beginning went on a bit too long even if there were a few funny moments in that. Beth went from spineless to confident and back again with too little justification. The plot was thin and relied a bit on overused tropes.

I've never seen April Pearson before but I was suitably impressed. Despite the flaky character she had to work with, she had definite moments where you really wanted to see more.

The dialogue didn't mess around. Characters said things without holding back.

I wouldn't call this a Christmas movie, but rather a movie set at Christmas time.

Despite any complaints above, the movie was OK.

This is a very sweet movie, a movie that's all heart.

Different from the normal story line that is every Christmas movie. Ok it is clearly still girl gets man and vice versa but not the same corny line. Well acted and a sweet movie. Made a change from the crop of Christmas movies that are all the same. This one felt like it was a much more realistic scenario without elves and Santa etc. Definitely worth a watch. It is however a very English type movie and for that reason it may not appeal to all. If you like movies such as 4 weddings and a funeral then this one is definitely one for you. It even references it on occasions. It is the type of movie that puts a smile on your face.