User reviews

9 November 2014. This movie is a predictable, holiday movie that doesn't turn into a classic or add much in the way of originality. However, the acting, the storyline, the holiday ambiance are all in evidence. What is nice about this movie is that its about family, sisters, reconciliation, and the holiday spirit meaning its not hard to watch, it doesn't push tragedy into your face.

This is light comedic romantic movie about breakup and a simple, but convoluted plan to bring a family back together again. What this movie offers is a nice movie experience that's entertaining that doesn't require a lot of thought. This is one of those date movies during the Christmas holidays.

At first, this has all the appearance of a low-budget Christmas movie and to be fair that is exactly what it is - however, it is a cut above some of the really bad ones like The Town that Cancelled Christmas. Some of the acting is fairly mediocre, the story though is quite engaging with likable enough characters and some nice scenery to enjoy. There are even a couple of well-known musical numbers to sing along to. You can tell that everyone involved in making the film has at least tried to produce something decent and if you give it a chance, it's quite watchable. One the younger members of the family will probably quite enjoy along with mum on a wet Sunday afternoon.

I wanted to like this movie, and I did like the heroine, played by Canadian vocalist and child actress Carly McKillip. She and her real-life sister, Britt McKillip (think "My Little Pony") play sisters who get back in touch after a long estrangement, spurred by their parents' separation.

In theory this is a moving tale of family reconciliation. In practice, it tried to do too much with too little, at least on the head of the lead character. Carly gave it a valiant effort, but there was very little story in her character; even for a more experienced actress to work with. This is an okay-enough, even dull, girl's attempt at bringing her family together, without much in the way of struggle or more effort than talking to a stranger (eye-candy Ben Hollingsworth) who is only too happy to make her acquaintance and agree to everything she asks.

It's a bad sign when the subsidiary characters are given deep, meaningful problems that cry out to be tackled head-on and overcome, and then those problems are simply ignored for the rest of the movie in favour of our dull girl's dull journey toward a foregone conclusion.

All that negativity aside, the romance was sweet and developed gradually. The movie sets have pretty holiday decorations that mostly look normal family scale. And there's some singing, though not of well-known carols for a change. The backdrop, of BC mountains masquerading as Oregonian ones, is lovely to look at although the weather is suspiciously low-snow for a mountain town coming up on Christmas.

If you are playing board games or wrapping presents and want some background holiday themed TV, this is fine. But even a holiday movie fanatic like me wouldn't seek it out again on purpose.

In a changing landscape of major motion pictures slowly getting longer, major blockbusters getting more self-indulgent, major streaming services ignoring older movies, and major studios losing control of the industry, it's nice to know that some things never change. Holiday movies can largely claim a reliable formula, and are consistently filled with warmhearted kitsch, wholesomeness that's sometimes awkward, and some discrete beat of drama to propel the narrative. The drama here is perhaps extra harsh (estranged sisters, separating parents), but the pleasantness is proportionately cheerful as it all eventually perfectly aligns Just So for a happy ending. I can understand how all the congeniality can be overbearing, but for those who are receptive to the ham-handedness, 'Coming home for Christmas' is a refreshing little burst of hokeyness.

I can't say I'm a fan of the country western portion of the soundtrack; I simply wasn't aware of what I was getting into in that regard - in the same measure that some people can't stand Christmas movies, this is one genre of music I can't abide. But a non-zero number cast members have a connection in that way, so here we are. In fairness, there are more recognizable names and faces here than I first supposed: not just Amy Jo Johnson, but I've seen Ben Hollingsworth around, and while I've not seen Britt McKillip since 'Dead like me,' it's a minor joy to see her again, too. Arguably forced as no small part of the story is here, writers Kyle McGlohon and Bruce Spiegelman nonetheless have put together a delightfully cheesy charm-fest of love, family, and kindness. Such good humor fills every word of the dialogue, characters, scene writing, and the overall plot - and director Vanessa Parise and the cast unreservedly lean into the hopelessly sweet gaucheness.

All the crew behind the scenes put in good work to help realize the picture, and such as it is, the music at least isn't the worst example of its very niche genre. The ending is especially excruciating in its saccharine tone, but such is the Christmas Movie as we know it. There aren't any real surprises here, for such fare is built strictly for mild, affable cordiality, and storytelling that ensures its audiences Feels Good. Not unlike "Christmas music" it's fair to criticize such movies as artificial and contrived - but anyone who sits for something of this nature should already know full well what to anticipate. For anyone who enjoys the genre this is duly enjoyable, and it's most recommendable for fans of the cast. Others maybe need not spend any time with this, but if you're already on board with its brethren, 'Coming home for Christmas' is a passably satisfying bit of lighthearted fluff.

It's five years since Kate (Carly McKillip) walked out of her younger sister Melanie (Britt McKillip)'s wedding. She saw the groom flirting and tried to stop the wedding. Their parents (Amy Jo Johnson, George Canyon) are struggling financially and splitting up. They lost their family home which is bought by Mike (Ben Hollingsworth). Everybody is estranged and bitter. Melanie is hiding the fact that she's living alone in an empty house. Kate tries to reunite the family at the old house for Christmas.

This is a lower grade Christmas TV movie. There seems to be more of them every year. The bigger problem is that there is nothing here but an idea for a movie. The setup is somewhat interesting. The story isn't interesting enough. The actors try valiantly but there isn't anything more that they can do. This movie needs to start with a better script. Also the romance needs better chemistry and a better male lead for it to work. The sisters have a few good scenes but that's about it. They also sing which is their gig now.

As another reviewer said, you can see the caring and cooperation that went into the movie. There's only moderate acting talent. I thought the young boy did well, but it seems he didn't act on screen again since then. Big props for a story that doesn't center around whether a couple gets together! Th film is a little painful to abide here and there, but I'm not sorry I watched it.

Since I can't add a Goof to the list, I'll add here one that I noticed! At 4:45 time she is walking into her office. The sign says Oceanwood publishers, her narration says Oceanside publishers. :)

Bad acting...poor story line.

Characters are not believable. Don't waste your time, there are too many other good Christmas movies out there to watch and brighten your holiday season. Sorry, but the bad acting and poor casting of characters was too distracting. Definitely a B movie with B actors. I tried to like the movie, but just couldn't. Love the premise, but it just didn't deliver. Maybe, if it is a book, it would be much better. Maybe, the characters would be more developed and of course, the bad acting would not distract from the story. What else can I say? I don't recommend this movie.

Excellent for this genre!

It is so nice to see a movie that has very little sensationalism. They have their struggles and deal with them. I did not feel my stomach going into knots or my adrenaline spiking! Thank you! It was sweet and touched me and I cried a little. I also guessed the girls had to be rl sisters, and they are.

I'll probably watch this one every year. I think it is good and a warm Christmas story even though Christmas is not really the Focus of the movie, but more the context.

I hope everyone enjoys it. The house is gorgeous and reminds me of my family home. I don't want movies pushing my buttons. I am happy to just sit back and relax and enjoy a good story.

Merry Christmas!

Review Date 1/29/2018

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Now Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB? When one of my reviews gets deleted IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review.

After their parents separate, two estranged sisters who haven't been on speaking terms reunite in hopes that having a family Christmas all together for the first time in years will bring their Mom and Dad close again. They plan to do this in their old family home... the only problem is someone else lives there now.

Now know matter how old you are "You Always Want Your Parents To Be Together" but the premise of this movie just doesn't work.

There is no emotional linchpin that holds the movie together. We get scenes that are over done by every conceivable thing you can think of. I think if the film had one of the children on parents be a very young child then I might I have like the film. However they did not do that and the film is just one of many "Christmas Films" that had a good idea but poorly executed!!

I thought that it would have more humor in it. I also thought it was just going to be the family and not the Mikes. Also I don't think the sisters should have been able to get back together the way they did I think it would have been longer in real life. when Kate finally apologizes for not being at the wedding for Melanie, Melanie had already forgiven her so it was in the past. also when Melanie saw Mike with Jill she thought he was already dating her but it was obvious they weren't they acted like they were siblings.

Male lead is apparently a Marine, yet he's wearing the Army Dress uniform and has facial hair. Why is it so hard for some movies to get this right? It gets kind of annoying to watch those mistakes.... Besides that flaw, it's an ok holiday movie.

I thought it was very warm and sweet. The characters were interesting. I liked that I could watch it with my children. The plot could definitely use some work but overall it is one that i'd watch again. I think it was the house and snow and music that made it so enjoyable for me. The sisters in real life did a wonderful job. I'd like to see them together in more movies. I'd have liked to have seen the other sister with a bit of a happier ending but I understand how that would complicate the plot. I'd have also liked it better if the parents got their house back in the end.

Ironically, the main character is an editor. The writing was bad, the acting forced, and the storyline just didn't mesh. So many questions in the first 10 minutes. The intro set up scenes for a story that didn't unfold. I couldn't even finish the movie. There was no anticipation that led to a desire to see how it ended.

This is a great little holiday film with wonderful scenery, a nice family friendly plot, talented actors/ actresses, and lovely music. Worth every penny I spent on buying i!

It really irks me when military uniforms are improperly worn or if the wardrobe person has no clue as to what uniform goes with which service. When the male lead is first seen, he's in U. S. ARMY dress blues, but he's allegedly a Marine. This insults both the Army and the Marine Corps. We each have a proud tradition and wear our uniforms with pride. Get it right or don't do it at all.

The movie itself is ok but nothing to write home about.

Coming Home For Christmas (2013) -

This film was just too depressing! Too dreary! Too badly acted! I could not put up with the misery and the grainy filming on the off chance that when Benjamin Hollingsworth eventually turned up he would be as cute as he had been in his other films, because quite frankly, which ever sister it was that was the narrator Kate/Melanie (? McKillip) was a whiney cow and the parents Wendy (Amy Jo Johnson) and neanderthal Al (George Canyon) were terrible.

All I can say is that if you're in a great mood and don't think that a film can bring you down then you might be able to get through this one, but I wasn't prepared to be depressed by a film genre that is essentially meant to be uplifting and bring joy. I got the impression that it was going to be all about the family's relationships and not actually about the festive season or even much of the romance.

Unscored as Unfinished.