A Song for Christmas

Adelaide Kay is a country music rising star who gets left behind in a small town when her bus leaves without her. Traffic jams and weather problems delay them in returning and even after that she decides to make it difficult for them to find her.

Meanwhile, Addie finds an extremely friendly and giving family, most of whom don't know who she is. Of course the family is about to lose their farm. Most of the movie focuses on Addie falling love with the family, and with Dillon, and trying to help as they fight to hold on. There is no hidden lie between her and Dillon since he figures out who she is early on.

Becca Tobin and Kevin McGarry fall into an easy relationship founded on the characters' mutual love for music. All the actors in the family are real and lovable. Kendra Leigh Timmins is especially so as the teenage sister of Dillon who devises a vision for saving the farm. One acting or possibly directing criticism: the adoring fans with signs (as shown in previews) were lame.

The story is about having courage to follow your dreams and is totally predictable but enjoyable.

This was a nice movie. I enjoyed it for what it was and liked the christmassy things they do. Such a nice feel good movie.

I watched it for my christmas challenge with is now up to 29

I might watch it again. For some reason I do like these types of movies at christmas.

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries tends to do much complex (and better movies(. And this is no exception.

Adelaide, a country star is tired of being told what to do regarding her career, so when she sees the opportunity to stay for a while in this family farm with an adorable family she takes it, and grows personally and therefore, professionally.

My favorite aspect of this movie is that it is not centered on the romance but on Adelaide's development and her relationship not with Dillon but with his entire family and the family farm. I'm also glad that the plot took another direction, different as usual, and that Dillon discovered who she was almost at the beginning of the story.

I really like the script. It wasn't corny and it had a few funny comebacks. So, points for that. Kevin and Becca had great chemistry between themselves and even with the actors who were part of the family, who contributed so much to the story.

Even though I knew how the story was going to develop, I had a very good time watching it.

I thought this was going to be a real stink bomb. But, you know it wasn't too bad. I don't listen to country music, but as far as I know this is exactly the kind of stuff that passes for quality nowadays. All the Christmas points are dotted and it seemed to work. Although, the lead fellow needs to have his hair messed up a bit. Too much product.

Was not expecting to like 'A Song for Christmas' this much. While certainly not having any bias against Hallmark Christmas output (far from the truth and have always made that clear) and a fair share of them have fallen into the better than expected category, their output has always been very formulaic and can be very cheesy and schmaltzy and the characters and acting have always varied. 2017 was a hit and miss year for Hallmark's Christmas output.

'A Song for Christmas' was for me one of the surprising hits and easily one of the best of their 2017 batch of Christmas films. As well as actually their Christmas films in general. As far as their overall films for any occasion or genre goes, 'A Song for Christmas' is somewhere in the top end in my view. This opinion is from judging the film on its own terms without comparing it to anything else, so am not saying (never have, never will do) that it is on par with something else that has gotten the same rating that will make some scoff.

Sure, the structure of the film and what happens is very familiar territory for Hallmark so there is a seen it all before vibe throughout. Did find the ending a bit too rushed and too tidy, as well as easily telegraphed.

Quite a lot of the dialogue early on is heavy on the cheese and corn factors and doesn't flow very naturally, so there were moments where there was admittedly some cringing into my seat.

However, 'A Song for Christmas' at least looks nice and professional. Although the authenticity of the locations can be, and has been, questioned, the scenery still looks lovely and appropriately festive, complemented very nicely by the photography. The soundtrack is nostalgic and isn't as intrusive in tone or placement as most other Hallmark Christmas films, as that has been a common criticism from me and quite a number of others. The direction is accommodating while not going through the motions.

The dialogue is less than great early on but if one sticks with the film it does improve, it is tighter and less stilted and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is very predictable admittedly, but it still engaged me and was charming and heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Absolutely adored the family characters, full of life without being caricaturish or overdone and with likeable personalities. Becca Tobin is a very appealing lead, with no signs of over-eagerness or phoning in, and Kevin McGarry is easy going and charming.

Very well done on the whole. 8/10.