Journey to Christmas

7.2 stars.

There is a lot to say about this very strange movie. First of all, I don't recognize any of the actors, literally not one. I've seen a million movies and how could I not recognize one? The lead female looks familiar, so maybe I've seen her, but I couldn't say for sure. The lead male, same story. The rest of the cast, nada.

'Journey to Christmas' feels like the first try for the director and most of the actors as well. It feels new, fresh, but amateur and green for sure. This is what I would imagine the final product would be if you took a bunch of skilled people doing it for the first time. Literally, all of them doing their first movie, but they are all very charismatic and intelligent, so it might turn out pretty good. And guess what, it actually works, overlooking the fact that the acting is so rudimentary and wooden throughout. Some of it was so cheesy and basic, as if they only did one take for every scene and we are stuck with the end product. What's amazing is that the last act is endearing and moving, even it it still feels robotic and wavers throughout. I just can't emphasize enough how freakish this film is to me, the acting is so bad, yet all the actors are so likable that I felt I could overlook the whole fiasco.

All the overly positive reviews are not realistic, so you know there are proponents of the movie with an agenda (whatever that may be) that are padding the results in their favor. That's fine, you can get an unadulterated opinion right here, go no further my friend.

I was not familiar with the leading cast members prior to this movie. I have become a fan of Ash Tsai and Joey Hayworth now. The two have excellent Chemistry throughout the movie - Fresh, sweet, appear genuinely enamored with one another. I love the way the couple meet and how the relationship develops, something that is completely rare in 99 percent of Hollywood movies today. Kuddos to the writers! The scenery and sets are realistic for common people . I feel the set designers did a wonderful job creating "real life" at the various stops and the main home used in the movie. Once again, a thank you to all invoved for making a movie that I happy and uplifted at the end. This is a good one for a sequel!

This is a very unique take on the concept of strangers meeting at Christmas. The characters are well rounded, believable and just enough of their backgrounds are explained so the viewer can understand motives and root for the best ending. This movie is entertaining enough for adults and safe for the whole family. Sweet is the best word to describe it. I would love to see a sequel and more movies with such believable characters. I was surprised that even the young girl was well cast and fit so well into the family dynamic. All too often a tween/young teen will be way too bubbly for no apparently reason or spoiled. This was a refreshing change.

Don't pay too much attention to the intolerant reviewers who just want to complain about the main actor's lack of experience and to compare one network's stable of performers to another's--and even whine about the commercials shown during the TV broadcasts of a film. How are people like that even fans of the genre? In this instance, no, the main stars have not been doing the same old stories that many actors have been doing for fifteen or twenty years, but in my opinion that made them sound fresher. Sometimes the "experienced" actors just sound bored, or tired of the same old lines they are delivering. Of course, what I like best about Great American Family films is that they are not trying to socially manipulate their viewers like Hallmark does. GAC stories are family friendly--some of us really appreciate that. But even if you don't, or don't care, this is an enjoyable film regardless. That's the bottom line.

Going into this movie I wasn't familiar with either of the main actors. I really liked both of them and hope to see more of them in the future. This movie wasn't super deep and to be honest most of these type of movies aren't lol. So for me, these movies are super hit or miss. I'm care taker for my 98 year old Grandmother whom is the reason as a 41 year old man I watch them in the first place lol. Both my grandmother and I really enjoyed this one. It was lighthearted and fun and cheery. The movie was very predictable as they all are, but that's why we watch them right?! Both of us rate the movies when we are finished watching them, and we both gave it a 9. This one is worth the watch 👍