Christmas on Cherry Lane

For the first twenty minutes of this movie, before the commercial break I was lost. Or maybe disinterested is a better term. Then it closes before the break and says that the three stories we were watching are all actually happening on different timelines. Great, sounds fun. No. It's a slog. The stories are interconnected through the house the ALL live (or lived) in, but it doesn't really come together until the final five minutes of the movie, which left me a lot of time to wonder why I should keep watching. For a movie with Jonathan Bennett, I thought we'd see some funny moments, but no, it was all serious future-dad, fancy dinner chef drama. John Brotherton and Erin Cahill could have just had the whole movie to themselves and we'd have all been better off for it. And another thing, you don't keep having to mention "high oil prices" to tell us the year the events are taking place. We get it . . . Oil crisis. We just don't care.

This is really interesting that I'm saying this about a Hallmark movie. That's because it's incredibly different from any other Hallmark movie. Yes, they have the love. Yes they have all the other blah blah blah, yada yada yada. But I love the way that they took three different storylines from three different years in the same house and tied them all together. You just don't see that sort of thing these days. And, just when you think you've got it all figured out, they throw you a curveball. I like a nice curveball. I like it when a movie keeps me on my toes and I don't honestly see what's coming till almost the end. That's why I'm giving this one 10 out of 10. Well done whoever wrote this one.

I really enjoyed this movie and appreciate how Hallmark upped its game in terms of telling the stories of different families who share something special in common. Basically, things center around 7 Cherry Lane, a house called home to three different families spanning over five decades. Though each family's storyline is separate from the others, there are people and details of each storyline that are interwoven with the others, creating a vibe that's similar to This Is Us.

The families are young marrieds Lizzie and John, who are awaiting the birth of their first child; this takes place in the '70s. Then there's Regina, a forties-ish widow with two young-adult children, who's ready to move on with her life in the 90s era. Lastly, there's Mike and Zain, ready and hoping to welcome a child into their family in the present day. I don't want to give any more details because this movie is best enjoyed by discovering who's tied to who, how and when by the viewer. Wonderful cast of actors who had excellent chemistry with each other! Highly recommended watch.

I didn't pay enough attention to the trailer that preceded this film's release during the week. This is one Hallmark film where the ending doesn't matter as much as what happens in each of the three stories. This film has sweet and relatable stories, and as is the way with Hallmark, love still takes center stage. Note: If you're a bit drowsy or are overly distracted, perhaps wait till you're not to watch, otherwise you'll likely miss the smattering of clues to help you understand what's going on with each of the three stories. With a large stellar cast, this film is not your typical Hallmark movie. Love that Hallmark is working hard to ensure ensure representation in story lines as well in casting.

Bravo, Hallmark.

Loved every second. Tough competition in 2023 with the brilliance of 'Holiday Road' and 'A Biltmore Christmas' but the ensemble cast and the three intertwining stories (the 70's, 90's and present day) made for a proper Hallmark classic. Leaning more into the nostalgia of the season and the importance of family over place, 'Christmas on Cherry Lane' continues the Hallmark trend in 2023 of moving away from the (pardon the pun!) cookie-cutter movies they have become famous or infamous for.

Whilst it was a little bit of a shock at the end of the first stanza of the film to see the years flash up on the screen, it was fun figuring out who was related to who, and how everyone knew each other through the years. You had to pay attention, but it was worth it.

Catherine Bell's best work for Hallmark. Erin Cahill's best work for Hallmark. Jonathan Bennett finds himself in another classic (I'll never stop seeing him as the brother from the Christmas House movies) and a well-cast group of supporting characters. James Denton didn't get a tonne of screen time, but he was good. Brandi Alexander as Daisy tied everything together.

Great sets, great music, great acting, great story -- no, an unforgettable story.

The finale hits you right in the feels.