Family for Christmas

5.4 stars.

Barely enough to watch. Chabert is great in this, and while she can carry a movie all by herself, it's not advisable to do so. The male lead (Leitso) had as much personality as a rock. Chabert was funny at times, and the daughters were cute and funny too. The male reporter she was dating was actually more interesting than the male lead (not saying much).

It was a surreal sort of movie throughout, and while it's kinda the point, it's too much so. Problem is that it never became tangible or real, as if the whole story is a nightmare. Neither universe is preferable in my opinion. The female friend/neighbor was interesting, and animated. Santa Claus was lackluster and creepy.

Emphasizing again - Chabert literally carries 95% of this movie. Good thing she is talented.

I wouldn't watch this again. It's one of the least favorites.

I typically love a cheesy Christmas film and the first time I watched it I loved it... I'm a Lacey fan... having watched this again this for about the 4th time I have some issues with its message... it basically tells women they can't be happy unless they have a family and they can't have both a career and a family! I loved the lead man until he basically guilted her in to turning her job down to make sure she stays a stay at home bored mother!!

The movie begins with Hannah Dunbar (Lacey Chabert) faced with a decision between her career or her sweetheart Ben Matthews (Tyron Leitso). The movie fast forwards 10 years and she is an award winning news reporter. Out of the blue she gets a friend request through social media from Ben. With a chance encounter with Santa he asks her to wish for something that she wants, and then she wakes up she is married to Ben, with two children, a dog and living in the suburbs. It is a delightful movie that has Hannah trying to figure out which life is most important.

Victor J

This is simply a, practically scene by scene, copy of "The Family Man" from 2000. And in that version, it was a MAN that ended up seeing what his life would be like with a family instead of a powerful career. Hallmark has done this with other films and it's pretty standard to swap the genders with the movie they copy.

I think people have been overly harsh to this film, missing the message completely.

I thought this was a different sort of Hallmark film, and all the better for it.

It helps that it boasts Lacey Chabert in the lead, who can make even the sappiest of material palatable.

With some nice messages and moments this kept us entertained.

Lighten up people!