Every Other Holiday

This is not a Christmas movie like all the others, especially not like the Hallmark ones.

If you don't stick it out til the end, or at least through most of it, you might be tempted to think this movie is about bashing Christians for their hate and hypocrisy. There is certainly plenty of hypocritical hate where there should be love. But about half way through we start to see that not everyone is hatefully judgemental. The movie is a story about how difficult family can be and working through that. It doesn't have all the pie-eyed optimism. It also doesn't have a lot of the traditional tropes like Santa, sleigh rides, caroling, and so forth. It has a few, but mostly incidental.

The acting is real and therefore some of the characters are rough at times rather than ideal. The chemistry between Tracie and Rick is real also - both good moments and bad. The couple has two young daughters that add a little of that element, but they aren't as central as they would be in a Hallmark movie.

The movie is pretty good, but it is not my cup of tea. I like my Christmas movies a little kinder and gentler.