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When I started to watch this I thought, "this must be a fan-favorite series, since this was number 5". I hadn't seen or heard about it's predecessors, but I would like to assume they continued the saga due to popular choice. It is daring to tackle the subject of marital-strife, and especially, its damaging effects on the security of children, especially centered around a Christmastime theme. This is definitely a more serious tone than a vast majority of Hallmark's holiday movies, and it may have been heartwarming (with better execution) if it didn't devote almost three-fourths of its time to the bickering, misunderstanding, and pettiness between the parents, Rebecca and Enrique. The redemptive moral is the wonderful mother-in-law, Camilla, who Rebecca, somehow, mostly fails to recognize . Of the three of them, Camilla is the only selfless one, who truly exemplifies the spirit of giving. Only when the children (pure of heart) contribute to Rebecca's book, does Rebecca affirm the extra-efforts that Camilla had undergone to lighten the heavy hearts of the children attributable to her and Enrique's separation. Camilla also illuminates Rebecca of Enrique's selfless investment, and personal sacrifice to save their family restaurant business. This is, unfortunately, a fact in many marital disputes - that the spouses are blinded by resentment, and only a bystander can illuminate the problem. Unfortunately, by the time Rebecca and Enrique resolve their differences, it's so late in the movie, that you're deprived of any deep emotion or gratification.

Why continue to retread tradional big-city meets small-town holiday themes when you can "borrow" from highly-regarded Hollywood productions? It works, well, here, leaving you with an enjoyable 85 minutes, and most-likely, the desire to add this to your "re-watchable" collection. It starts with a great cast-ensemble. You have one of Hallmark's finest leads, Lacey Chabert 👍(Emily), complimented by Wes Brown (Jared), and believably antagonized by Jennifer Aspen (Jane Johnson). The supporting cast is led by veterans, Ellen Travolta and Stephen Tobolowsky. Although primarily a humor-driven story, it does what most great comedies effectively accomplish - poke fun at the human "condition". Firstly, you have the core of the film, HOA's. They initially begin with good-intentions, but inevitably the rigid-rules, power-trips of the board, and unforgiving citations begin to sour many of its constituents. Then, there are the egotistical bullies, the Johnsons, who believe their celebrity as reality-TV stars excludes them from the rules. The disgruntled neighbors see their opportunity to rebel against the HOA and this sets up for a "war". This escalates, uncontrollably, until.... Emily steps up...Lacey Chabert, who were accustomed to always being so charming...She shows her fierce determination (yes!) to take the battle into her own hands. It takes the innocence of children to finally wake up the immature adults te realize they have lost sight of the true meaning of the season. Ironically, in a comedy, Emily's and Jared's relationship is a much deeper love than what has been commonly depicted in this Hallmark holiday season. Well done!

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...