Long Lost Christmas

The cast in this movie is extra special. And the storyline is exceptionally good. That said, the character Hayley is a bit over the top with her emotions. I'm used to the heroines working through their problems to a satisfying conclusion. The character Haley seems to emotionally break down at the beginning of the movie and isn't a strong woman as I've come to expect from Hallmark. It's a great movie and takes place in the Winter in a beautiful part of the country and well worth watching - I was just disappointed in the Haley character's portrayal as weak and unable to meet challenges with strength.

This is a fairly common Hallmark trope ... looking for estranged family. It's done well ... and with some beautiful buildings inside and out, since we have a builder and an interior decorator.

The actors all do a good job, I believe "as directed", but this is one of a long list of Hallmark Christmas films this year I find to be rather drab. The characters are all very reserved, even in their happiest moments. In the movies I REALLY enjoy, the actors bring some real life and personality to the roles, and I simply didn't get that from this movie.

It's absolutely worth a watch, but it's not one I'll look for again.

'Long Lost Christmas' (2022)

Opening thoughts: Was generally not particularly impressed by the previous 2022 Hallmark Christmas Movies and Mysteries films, the best being the promising 'We Need a Little Christmas' and there was a lot good about 'Our Italian Christmas Memories'. 'Christmas Bedtime Stories' and particularly 'Maple Valley Christmas' were very bad. As said elsewhere, Hallmark have succeeded in the past with producing quieter more serious films.

'Long Lost Christmas' is by far the best 2022 Hallmark Christmas Movies and Mysteries film up to this point and one of the best of what continued to be a very variable seasonal block. 'Long Lost Christmas' is a beautiful film and in the better half of Hallmark's 2022 Hallmark output, as well as proof of Taylor Cole (personally find her on the take and leave side) being capable of giving a good performance with good material.

Bad things: It is not quite perfect. The pace is a little too slow to begin with.

One reaction to a major revelation leading into the conflict didn't really ring true, seeming at odds at what is revealed, and came slightly out of nowhere. Maybe the music could have been toned down at times.

Good things: However, 'Long Lost Christmas' is beautifully acted. Cole's performance is very charming and heartfelt, she has a good deal of warmth and there is none of the ice queen persona that is present in some of her roles. Benjamin Ayres' character is somewhat a cipher, but one that Ayres brings a lot of subtle charisma and easy-going charm to him.

The supporting cast are strong, Jacqueline Ann Stuart bringing a lot of class. The characters are relatable and sympathetic and the relationships are written in a way that's affecting and easy to relate to. That between Cole's character and the daughter in particular.

Moreover, it is pleasingly shot with lovely scenery. The music is still pleasant enough and the direction is accommodating without losing momentum. The script is thought provoking and doesn't go overboard on the schmaltz (meaning not too frequent or too heavy). The story is quiet and reflective and has a lot of poignant emotional impact, it isn't too predictable and is honest and charming. Did tear up at the ending.

Closing thoughts: Overall, beautiful.

8/10.

I usually enjoy Taylor Cole movies. She is absolutely beautiful and very charismatic. But not all of her Hallmark Christmas movies have been top tier movies. I liked Unlocking Christmas but I didn't really like Making Spirits Bright. But she's always worth watching.

Long Lost Christmas is one of her best Hallmark movies. And it's directed by Michael Robison who also directed two recent Hallmark movies that I really enjoyed (Autumn in the City and Unexpected Christmas).

She plays Haley, a loving daughter determined to try and help her mother reconnect with her mother's long lost brother. Haley didn't even know she had an uncle and is understandably more than a little curious. Jacqueline Ann Stewart plays Haley's mother Patricia. One can only imagine how traumatizing it must be to grow up as an orphan and then lose touch with one's only sibling. I thought both actresses were very effective in conveying the powerful and conflicting emotions that they felt. Haley wants to know more but she also wants to shield her mother from further pain. It was an interesting and often emotional journey and although I didn't think the "reasons" given at the end were justified, I like stories that reconnect people torn apart by forces beyond their control. And we all know well meaning people who've made bad decisions. Heck, we've all made bad decisions.

Gordon was something of a cipher, but he seemed like a good father and I liked the relationship between Haley and his daughter Brianna, who designed and made wood furniture. The big design showcase opportunity subplot felt a bit off though. It was a last minute opportunity, with a short amount of prep time, during the holidays, and Haley decides that's a good time for a road trip? I also wasn't clear on how Brianna's furniture played such a big role in the showcase. But those are minor issues. The gist of the movie was the heart wrenching story of orphaned siblings who lost each other when they were young and how they find each other again later in life, through the love and dedication of a devoted daughter.

Haley's love interest, Blake, was played by Ben Ayres, who starred in Falling For Vermont, one of my all time favorite Hallmark amnesia movies. He was pleasant and obviously infatuated with Haley (like any heterosexual man with a pulse). They had a nice growing chemistry and seemed like a good match, to at least date.

This is top tier Hallmark. I cried several times. It made me want to hug my sister.

Not sure where this was filmed but it is set in Colorado, Denver and a fictional town four hours away near Aspen. The 30-something single lady is an interior designer, after her dad dies it is just her and her mother. Mom's old photo from 1973 shows her as a small girl and her brother, seven years older, in a foster home. She was adopted, he wasn't, and they lost track of each other.

With modern internet technology, and the help of a computer-savvy friend, they come up with a list of possible people for her brother. The prime candidate has a business in the small mountain community. He also has a single partner, and 40-ish man who might be a perfect match for the interior designer.

My wife and I watched this Hallmark movie at home, streaming via NBC's Peacock site. We enjoyed it, a good story about reconnecting with family in a "long, lost Christmas" celebration.