User reviews

Well, it is original, in the sense that I have not seen many Christmas movies about a magical car bringing people together. The story is a warm one, but it did take me a while to be drawn into it. As another reviewer pointed out, it is, at times, a bit...how should I say this...slow. And some of the scenes felt rushed and underdeveloped. For example, the scene towards the end, where they stopped in the street and started randomly handing out gifts, seemed a bit off to me. That said, the acting was fairly good overall. Tiya Sircar (as Ashely) is a decent actor. Her performance here was solid. Michael Xavier too had a good performance. I am not sure I saw any believable chemistry between the two. At times, it felt like they were becoming good friends as opposed to getting romantically involved. If there was chemistry, then it was very low key. I was surprised to see no kissing scene at the end, which is the typical ending in this genre of film. Hmmm...maybe this is a bit refreshing. The supporting cast was decent too. Kristen Kurnik (as Hannah) had a good performance. At first, I thought there was something a bit off with Randy Thomas's (as Tony, the uncle) performance, but by the end, I warmed up to him. The scenery, props and sets were not bad, but not as polished as, e.g., Hallmark films. It was a bit funny at times when Ashely referred to 100-year-old antiques that looked like they were recently purchased in Kmart (nothing against Kmart). Overall, it is a good enough, middle of the road Christmas movie with an original story and some solid acting.

It's different from the usual stories, but different doesn't mean better.

When the lead returns from trying to see her mother's car, she 'trips' over the snow, and the white carpet kicks up as she goes into the house. Why can't they film in the winter?

Mrs. Shullivan fell asleep through the middle of another of the bland Christmas themed films that rely on a persons childhood memories and the continued use of a Xylophone hitting the same sequence of chords throughout to help us reminisce about our own childhood memories.

Of course there is a budding romance that evolves although we never see the happy couple kiss once, not even at the end of the film. The one bright spot was the classic red Cadillac convertible driving through the wintry streets of the small town with a trunk load of Christmas wish gifts for the unfortunate kiddies.

I liked that the film stars didn't wear out the word "Christmas" and they used it appropriately, and the auction of some old Christmas antiques reminded me of Christmas's past. But just like many of our memories that we do not consider epic, they are forgotten after time just like Christmas On Wheels will fade into the sunset by Boxing Day never to be heard from again.

I give it a passable 5 out of 10 IMDB rating

I enjoyed cammie's review. Quite humorous. I do have a few areas of disagreement: 1. It's not a Hallmark movie, it's a Lifetime movie. 2. I'm a guy, and any scene with gorgeous Tiya in a sweater is ok with me. She could open mail for two hours and I'd watch. 3. This was a movie about a magical car. How seriously should we really be taking it? As these movies go, it was definitely one of them. Merry Christmas..! 😏

This movie is a bit like a secret Santa plot and a bit like a hometown-girl-comes-home-to-throw-a pageant. Maybe add a little pay it forward or random acts of Christmas. Really this story is mostly unique.

The story is heartwarming as major characters join together to bring back a tradition of giving to the needy. Several sentimental stories are remembered in the process. Still, the story is pretty simple with no great highs or low, or surprises. Likewise there is almost no tension other than the pull on Ashley back to the big city.

Michael Xavier and Tiya Sircar has modest chemistry. It's there, but it isn't overwhelming. Likewise, most of the acting is good.

Don't start on plot holes because there are a lot, but they really don't matter. For example, Ashley gives away dozens of her the items she was saving to sell, but she is supposed to be seriously considering a lease on her first store. Not the mention the value of what both she and Duncan donate to the auction. And my experience with car parts is that there are volumes of listings with lines of specific items by year for them and that would be magnified going back to the sixties and Ashley never even takes not of a part number. Like I said - the plot holes don't matter.

It's a sweet romantic story with warm feelings of a generous Christmas spirit.

2020 was very variable though not too bad when it came to Lifetime's Christmas films, and there was definitely the sense that the films were made in a rush with not a lot of preparation time. Yet enough of them were far from amateur-hour efforts and were still watchable all things considered. Lifetime just have done a lot better in some previous years, although their festive output is very hit and miss it should not be dismissed outright as enough have left me pleasantly surprised.

Was very conflicted with my thoughts with 'Christmas on Wheels'. It does have things done well, but also has a lot of big problems that make it a real mixed bag of a film. As far as Lifetime's 2020 output goes, it's one of the lesser ones though others are worse. Really did like that it did try to do something different, especially concerning the things that brings the two lead characters together, and appreciated that, but the film could have done so much more with it. A case of different not always meaning better.

'Christmas on Wheels' does have good things. Despite his character being underdeveloped and underwritten, Michael Xavier nonetheless brings an easy going charm that is never forced or bland. The supporting cast also doing well, with Kristen Kurnik injecting spice to the film whenever she appears.

The film also at least looks professional, with lovely scenery in particular. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't feel overused, also it has a festive sound to it. Too often not the case with Lifetime. A few sweet, warm-hearted moments.

However, 'Christmas on Wheels' has many big failings. Tiya Sircar shows little personality while also overplaying yet another variation of the exaggerated character flaw-filled female lead character seen so often. Absolutely agree about there being no chemistry between Sircar and Xavier, they look very under-rehearsed and too distant and nervous together and it would be hard believing them as friends let alone lovers. The relationship itself is also very under-explored and doesn't really go very far most of the time before rushing through when there is a little progression in the plot. All the characters are not well developed at all, cardboard cut-outs is an apt description.

Much of the story is too thin and takes too long to get going. Very little engages as well because of the lifeless pacing and routine at best direction, and what there is of the story is filled with more cliches than you can count, an over-reliance on over-convenient coincidences and forced and bland conflict later on before once again wrapping up too hastily and unrealistically neatly. Heart and charm generally aren't there. The script doesn't flow and is full of cheese and sugar.

Overall, tolerable but these wheels are full of bumps. 5/10.

This is my 2nd time watching this film and I just realized that the protagonists mother was talking to her as an angel through the car because it would not start until the old boyfriend came in for a ride too.

The movie itself has a pleasant score that's appropriate for the most part. The directing and camera angles are pretty good and I find the dad's quirky behavior refreshing.

EXTREMELY boring! The couple had no real backstory to mutually overcome, and omg they didn't even kiss at the end! Seriously?! Is this because of COVID restrictions or something? If so, they shoulda never filmed it in the first place! I say it's very 2020, because, while it's great that they have POC as leads, a lot of them can't act. This is the case with this movie. Also, what was with the farmer who mentions his husband but is never seen? Hallmark is really slapping together ideas for their movies this year and it is poorly done and it shows.

Such a cute and unique Christmas story! Breath of fresh air amongst the others that you've heard over and over again...loved every minute of it!!

This movie was so boring that I couldn't even finish it. The acting was wooden, the dialogue was uninspiring and the two leads had NO chemistry.

Lifetime should do better. So far, even Hallmark's worst movie this season was much better than this!!!

I feel bad for the love interest of the main character. He had nothing to say or do. They could have used some of Michael Xavier's talent. It's not a Christmas romance when the woman did 80% of the talking.