The Last Christmas Home

This is a fairly simple story about a family remember Christmas traditions and struggling with moving on as is often the case with maturing families. As is usual with Hallmark romance stories, but not always with their Movies and Mysteries, the story is fairly predictable.

The acting is OK and the chemistry between Erin Cahill and Justin Bruening is OK also. But this story is more than just the two of them and the family chemistry is perfectly normal - highs and lows in all the family relationships.

It is nothing spectacular but it is a pleasant way to spend 2 hours.

Not all Hallmark films are bad, so this is not somebody who gives a low rating and negative review to every one of them in existence (or at least the ones rated and reviewed so far). Actually have been pleasantly surprised by a fair share of them, though have yet to come across a flawless one (my highest mark for Hallmark Christmas films has been a 8). There are though a fair share of below average and worse ones though, but few are irredeemable.

'Last Vermont Christmas' is one of the below average Hallmark Christmas films, well actually it is worse than that. It is not one of the worst of their output and it is not without its redeeming qualities, but there is a lot that is wrong here. And there is much more to the problem than just Justin Breuning's distracting and "has to be seen to be believed" hair-style, which is like a character of its own. Many of the typical Hallmark flaws in fact are here.

As said, 'Last Vermont Christmas' is not a complete waste. It looks quite good, especially the scenery and the look of the film isn't drab or garish. There are some pleasant moments on the soundtrack.

Breuning and Erin Cahill actually do their utmost best in the lead roles and generally do credibly. Some of their chemistry is sweet enough.

Though also in terms of development very rushed and under-baked, with the romantic relationship needing more time to grow rather than a series of unrealistic decisions that move onto the next one too quickly. The rest of the acting came over as very phoned in and like the actors didn't know what to make of their poorly written lines. Or like they didn't know what to do with their shallow cliches passing for characters. Most of the chemistry between the cast lack warmth and seem disconnected.

Excepting moments of pleasantness, the music tends to be rather too constant and could have been toned down. The direction is rather run of the mill, getting the job done just about but with no distinction. The dialogue throughout makes the toes curl, the cheese and schmaltz often overkill. The story is too thin and everything is obvious from miles away, the pace tends to be pedestrian too and the charm and warmth there in other Hallmark Christmas films aren't here.

In conclusion, pretty weak. 3/10

Glad I'm not the only one to see what a rubbish hair cut the lead male has. And yes how can you concentrate on the film when he looks such a....... dork ! Whatever was he thinking ?? He's a good looking chap, and a 'George Clooney' would have really suited him. Sadly going with 'fashion' doesn't suit everyone, but they just carry on following the herd - not a good thing to do when you're up for a film role. Trying to keep your youth with a teenage haircut just smacks of desperation. (all chaps take note - those wedding photos won't look so great in 10 years time !)

The film itself is pleasant enough, and typical Hallmark fayre.

How can you take this movie seriously while Justin Bruening has that greasy mess piled on top of his head? He should spend less time shaving the side of his head and more time shaving his face. As for the movie....blah.

Oh Ho Ho! Christmas in fake Vermont!

The Marvin sisters gather for one last Christmas in their childhood home as their parents have decided to sell and move to a condo.

What follows is mischief and romance in typical Hallmark movie fashion.

The comments about the male lead hairdo are hysterical and spot on!