Holiday Road

Hallmark you've hit a home run! I had given up on most of the Hallmark movies...so tired of the same theme, just different actors in a different setting - -> for years on end. And, for a long time, featuring the same people in the leading rolls, even if their acting skills were lacking. This movie has delightful people who play their parts well. Love anything Warren Christie does, so that was a bonus. It created in me a whole host of feelings & emotions. This was a wonderful movie to lead into the holiday season right after Thanksgiving. It left me wanting more... I didn't want it to end. It was that good.

I have watching Hallmark channel since it started and can honestly say this is the best holiday movie it has ever produced. Kudos to the writers and entire cast. It was a perfect ten in every way. Finally a great holiday movie from Hallmark. Since I don't want to put in any spoilers. I would like to encourage every one to watch this excellent film. It grabs your interest from the very beginning and keeps you entertained through the entire film. All nine characters have their own story and problems and each character is give his or her complete story. It was so good I am thinking I will watch it again, thank Hallmark for a totally new romance movie!!!

Every element is in this movie from comedy to sadness and it all works well. Yes, there are many characters and it takes a while in the movie to learn about them but it works. Kudos to the actors and production staff for pulling together a quality product. Also, there are very few Hallmarkish elements here which leads to a fresh story. About the only traditional Hallmark thingy I can think of is their avoiding use of Interstates as Hallmark seems to prefer back roads, even when it is silly to do so. But, the movie was fun. Every story line for each character worked and the ending, while fairly predictable, also worked and was uplifting. I hope to see more fresh and original productions like this one.

When you set out to watch "Holiday Road", you instantly think, oh, here's another take on "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", which is an all-time classic. If you've seen it, you know it's a cornball comedy with heart, that leaves you feeling positive about human-relations. Overlook the sometimes sub-par acting and over-the-top silliness, here, and you actually can experience the goodwill between people of different creeds (purposeful), when they share a common experience (like a long bus/van trip), as in tragedies and disasters. It's unfathomable, in this world, that nine strangers would ever collaborate to rideshare a long distance, so you have to be open-minded (and patient) about the initial prep of the storyline. Nine central characters are a lot to follow (you have to pay attention), but the directors allot enough dialog that they each stay inter-connected in the ongoing journey. You begin to have empathy for each of the characters in their personal quests. I commend the background music, as well - the Christmas songs were original and played only in appropriate scenes. Social-networking (somewhat new in Hallmark movies) was also well-incorporated, and cleverly instrumental in the unfolding drama. As the movie comes to a close, each character receives a poignant moment, which leaves you satisfied for the enrichment you receive for "riding" this one out to the finish...

7.2/10

Hallmark finally has a new storyline, but of course it comes with a price, if you've got a heart for true to life stories at Christmas time. I recommend checking it out with a box of tissues nearby. Lucky for you the commercials give you a moment to catch your heart before it gets too heavy.

This is more than just a love story. It's a friendship story with a loving twist added in. While the movie claims to be based on a true story it isn't specifically based on any one persons experience. It's based on the stranded travellers experience of wanting to get home for the holidays.

There are nine main characters in this film and each character is unique with a few stories having overlapping experiences. I won't describe them because part of the fun of watching "Holiday Road" was learning about each persons life and how the holidays affect them.

This is one of those few stories Hallmark has nailed and can be proud to have made. "Holiday Road" isn't cheesy. It's well written and acted. The characters are relatable in some aspect, and it just pulls you into the holiday spirit.

Overall, I recommend adding this one to your Christmas Countdown list. My aunt was right when she said the humour was good, and the film itself was pretty good too.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!