Christmas Getaway

[SPOILER ALERT (in the event that is possible with a Hallmark movie)]This is a Christmas Hallmark movie and needs to follow a formula. Within that constraint, to me this stands out in the oeuvre. Some things that struck me in the movie.- The acting is very good. There are numerous situations in which the actors provide nuance to scenes, that make it seem natural.The whole situation and tension between Emory and Alice is played out extremely well, with Alice immediately sizing up Emory as a threat. Meanwhile Emory is keeping a fiction in her mind that there is nothing going between her and Scott, while she is obviously being dragged in. Examples of the subtle nuances. In the scene at the Christmas tree farm, at 28:55, where Alice first glimpses Emory with Katie, there's an interesting look on Alice's face when Alice sees Katy with a woman whom she doesn't recognize. She immediately turns to see where Scott is.The ensuing awkwardness is stock, but at 30:17, as the parties head out, Emory pauses and takes a second glance back at Alice. Without anything being said, that second glance nicely conveys that unconsciously Emory sees Alice as not just a person of no concern to her.That's one example among many where the actors add little enhancements to scenes that make the more believable or evocative. The gingerbread house contest is also quite good, in which Sarah Smyth (playing Alice) has to balance feelings among being pleased that Katy and Scott's house won, disappointment that the house that she and her son Johnny built did not win, and envy at seeing Emory in the position with Scott and his family that she wishes she was occupying.- This is a chicks flick, and the relationships among the women are front and center, and I think are well scripted and acted. I referenced Alice and Emory above, but the relationship between Emory and Marilyn (Scott's Mother) is also well developed and, from my perspective very believable. You can see the relationship building between them in a very natural way.I could go on with other elements. The role played by Katy is nice. Emory's reluctance to admit she is falling for Scott, followed by her easy self-deprecating readiness to believe what is obviously not true, resonated with my personal experiences.There are numerous other examples I could cite. But those are all just more examples of how this flick rises above the typical Hallmark Christmas movie format.

WONDERFUL Christmas movie!!! I love Christmas movies, and I am thrilled to have this one in my collection. The actors are GREAT and have believable chemistry. It is a sweet and heartfelt storyline. I love it!!!

WOW!!

great movie about how a woman who spends Christmas alone finds a family to write about for her news paper company and then falls in love with the family.

Arrived quick and in good shape

One rating said, "too churchy." Wrong. There's no church in this movie, just fun Christmas activities and a good love story. I'm putting it on my favorites list - for any time of the year. Five great actors provide so much joy!

Great family Christmas movie from Hallmark as always. Loved the cast and the story.

I like this one a lot!They did a great job with the story, & it doesn't hurt that the main characters are gorgeous! :)