Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas

Somehow, Christmas movies with amnesiac heroines seem to work, at Hallmark. The idea may be trite, but is developed credibly, again. Schram and Penny are quite good, acting with empathy and restrain. The story is simple and gentle. Just right in the Holiday spirit. Should you not be looking to be blown by shocking drama, you are encouraged to watch it and dwell in warm feelings, while resting cozily on your comfy couch.

An unusually well-crafted film by hallmark. The writing is excellent, the characters developed and engaging, and the direction spot on. Kudos to all involved in this production, even to Allison Sweeney who makes a cameo.

Amnesia stories usually provide rich material for a nice story, and this one is no exception. Jessy Schram, a favorite of mine, plays a young woman who gets dunked in a river after being bumped by a car. We next see her in the local hospital near the Canadian border with amnesia. Her luggage has been lost. The only clue to who she is is an ad for a Christmas Tree lighting in Charleston, SC that she left behind at a local diner. It has a handwritten message on the back saying "Please Come" and signed "Mark".

"Jane Doe" is an immediate hit at the hospital due to her friendly, spirited, and outgoing nature. Jessy conveys all of that with the underlying vulnerability that she is so good at. She makes a friendly connection with a nice nurse, Paul, who offers to drive her to Charleston as it on his way to his family's home. It is almost immediately apparent that Paul is hiding some secret pain as he is very conflicted about going home. Jessy and Brendan are perfectly cast and their performances are spot on. I like that they made Paul a nurse instead of a doctor, thus making sense when he drives her in an old dilapidated car which conveniently breaks down on the way. A doctor would have flown.

On their road trip, they have a positive impact on all of the people they meet along the way. Including Alison Sweeney in a brief cameo appearance! This is a real thing this year. This is the third movie I have seen in which other Hallmark stars appear briefly in another movie not their own. I think it's really cool. And very smart given the competition other networks are giving them for the attention of Christmas movie viewing public.

The movie keeps you engaged at all times what with the mystery behind Paul's sadness and conflicted feelings going home and Jessy's real identity. Jessy starts having flashbacks which hint that she may be married and have a child! Why would she leave a husband and child? Is she a bad person? Is he a bad person? It won't be a spoiler to reassure you that she is not a bad person and her future lies with the nice and attractive Paul.

The two main characters had excellent rapport and chemistry between them.

Acting was excellent with entire cast.

Puts you in the best frame of mind.

Well done.

This movie was thoroughly enjoyable. I am a huge Jessy Schram fan. Haven't seen her in anything I did not like. She and Brendan Penny develop great chemistry. Their characters help each other throughout the movie - as well as spreading some cheer along their road trip. The outcome of "Jane's" amnesia snd "Paul's" anxiety is handled very well.

I had to do a double-take with Lisa Durupt (as Annie, the sister). She is brunette in this movie - not blonde - as she usually is. I recognized her voice - but she looked so different. Not sure why they made her brunette next to Jessy's blonde - sisters might have the same hair color!

Fun movie though...