A '90s Christmas

've always been fascinated by the idea of time travel. More specifically going back in time and changing decisions you made. Or possibly correcting mistakes or enjoying moments that you know you'll never get again. In A '90s Christmas we get to see that scenario play out for successful lawyer Lucy (Eva Bourne).

In present day, Lucy earns a long-sought after partner position at her law firm, but has no one to celebrate with. Luckily Grace (Katherine Barrell), a magical time-travel angel/old time uber driver, shows up to transport her back 25 years when she made some critical decisions that shaped her life.

Of course, she returns to struggling with her decisions about boy-next-door Matt (Chandler Massey). Their relationship is the A storyline. But we're treated to several others, too. I'll point out just one. Sister Alexa (Alex Hook from The Way Home), is working through coming out to her mom. Lucy, of course, knows Alexa is gay and gives her great advice to help her deal with any struggles that will come her way in the future. This sort of side story isn't one we see a lot on Hallmark and I really appreciate the inclusivity.

The 90s references are funny, but consist mostly of Lucy mentioning things from the present day that her 1990s family wouldn't understand. Pinterest board, anyone? I would have liked to see more 90s cliches, but the Y2k and Windows 95 references were on point.

I chucked at how easily Lucy believed she time traveled. Lucy believed Grace's story really fast. Ok, I guess I time traveled ... moving on. Sure, we didn't need to belabor the point, but a little bit of skepticism would be expected. Newspapers and familiar dogs did the trick though.

Let's be real, every Hallmark Christmas movie ends with a kiss at the end, when the two people declare their love for eachother. We aren't expecting to be surprised. Most of the time it's not exactly earned. We just need that kiss to complete the story. But, dang it, this one was different. It takes you on a lifetime journey that feels real and emotional. Yeah, I got a little lump in my throat. This movie earned that kiss and that ending.

Props to Writer Ryan Peckinpaugh and Director Marni Banack for bringing that scene to us.

Finally, I'm concerned about Chandler Massey's time travel/alternate reality experience. He was the understanding boyfriend in the wonderful Next Stop, Christmas. He watched someone time travel in that one, but didn't get to himself. In fact, he had to wait around for a long time to find out if his girlfriend was full of baloney about time travel. And in A Tale of Two Christmases, he's one corner of an alternate reality love triangle-ironically with Katherine Barrell again. So my question is this: when does Chandler get to time travel?! Or is he destined to observe, but never partake? How very sad indeed.

Cast Kudos: I have to go with Eva Bourne on this one. Super fun. To play herself at 44 and 19, and be modestly believable is commendable. Losing the glasses and gaining bangs helped things along.

Measuring Christmas Magic: Full magic. I mean, we time-traveled, right? This wasn't a regular movie disguised as a Christmas movie either. It's a solid Christmas story that could only really be told this way as a holiday tale.

Alternative Movie Titles: It should have been anything but '90s Christmas. The title made it seem as though the 90s was a much bigger part of the movie. How about these alternatives: Going back to Christmas; The Christmas Do Over; 19 at Christmas.

When I saw a 90s Christmas movie coming to Hallmark, I was all in. I graduated in 98, and that decade is everything, especially music-wise.

This movie was not even close to what i thought it would be. Lucy was not likable at all. She treated her family and friends poorly. And really didn't learn any lessons until the movie's last five minutes. It was vexing.

Lucy knew she treated those people poorly but didn't really try to remedy that. I get the death of a father. It sucks, and everyone grieves differently, but isolating her mom and sister was rough to watch.

The chemistry between her and her ex was lacking. Overall, the storyline wasn't strong, and it is not worth a rewatch.

I am fan of time travel movies. I couldn't find the elements of surprise and suspense in the story line bcz most of it was predictable.

Furthermore, the landmarks. It was shot in Canada and a scene that shows the transition from "Nicola Tesla road" in Hamilton, ON to a bridge in Turkey (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosphorus Bridge)) which is used to showcase Chicago/Milwaukee, doesn't make sense. Any body would identify that Chicago/Milwaukee don't have such bridge. Don't confuse it with the bridge in San Francisco because it is not.

Otherwise it was a good movie for its genre. I recommend it over other Christmas movies.

Perfect Christmas time travel movie.

This is about a successful lawyer who revisits her past. It's all very mysterious as to why or how this is happening.

The music is excellent and moves the story along. The acting is spot on perfectly executed. Is emotional at times but never over the top Not so complex that you have to be glued to the screen. Is an easy viewing. I recommend giving it a chance. Nostalgia can be a lot of fun. And you might not be able to time travel. Although if you have lost touch or neglected an old friend or relative you can call and reconnect and let them know you care.

"Next Stop, Christmas", "Christmas at the Plaza" and "A Biltmore Christmas" are my three favourite Hallmark Christmas time travel movies.

"A 90's Christmas" - despite it's Joshua Jackson, Lou Bega, Palm Pilot and Y2K references - isn't quite on the same level as that trio, but it's a fun film that admittedly takes a little while to get going. The finale is worth the wait.

Eva Bourne is great as workaholic, friendless but professionally successful lawyer Lucy. She is given a chance by a mysterious ride share driver Grace (Katherine Barrell) to go back to her home town of Milwaukee for Christmas 1999 to right some wrongs.

There are some fun moments and some poignant ones, and the montage right near the end of the movie - no spoilers here! - was touchingly done.

Glad I stuck with this one, despite an uneven first fifteen or twenty minutes.