This movie, like everyone (Almost) has mostly stated so far, is not a feel-good Christmas movie. I appreciate a complex family story, since I tend to be hyper-attuned to family issues. My own family is by all accounts wonderful, however we have a lot of work to do in order to be more vulnerable with one another.
In looking at they dynamic, it's easy to feel the tension between the siblings, along with the added tension of Nonno's dementia. He himself is likable (Beau Bridges does a great job), but the role is not one-dimensional; he shows vulnerability and anger, emotions that often don't surface in Hallmark movies, much less the Christmas releases.
His three grandchildren are interesting and mirror some of the same things I've seen in other families, even my own. The sisters have a pretty strained relationship, and the younger sister is easy to dislike. Her consistent anger throughout the movie (toward her older sister) is palpable, and she simply appears to be hostile and completely lacking in maturity.
The eldest sister is the main character, in my opinion, and has the most visibility of emotions and growth. Her relationship with her grandpa is admirable, and for me, I could feel her genuine care for him above all else. That alone helped me enjoy the movie more, because it reinforced that she had some solid evidence of her efforts to be part of the family.
The brother is adorable, to me, because I feel for him; he has the underdog vibe, as he struggles to make a success of his life. His girlfriend is absolutely beautiful and cool/calm/collected, which really helps keep the movie uplifting. I loved seeing their scenes together. The chef/kitchen scenes were surprisingly interesting to me, as I typically don't get into food scenes; it was the intensity of a chef's kitchen that struck me most, and the fact that it is NOT easy to be in the food industry.
The most pivotal moments for me in this movie are when Nonno goes on his walk that turned out to be longer than expected, and also when the two sisters are having their tense conversation at dinner out, and Nonno has to intervene. Both of those were very well-done scenes, as I felt the tension and pain of the older sister.
Overall, the movie was good, but again, more of a drama that could work at any time of year vs. A Christmas movie.
In looking at they dynamic, it's easy to feel the tension between the siblings, along with the added tension of Nonno's dementia. He himself is likable (Beau Bridges does a great job), but the role is not one-dimensional; he shows vulnerability and anger, emotions that often don't surface in Hallmark movies, much less the Christmas releases.
His three grandchildren are interesting and mirror some of the same things I've seen in other families, even my own. The sisters have a pretty strained relationship, and the younger sister is easy to dislike. Her consistent anger throughout the movie (toward her older sister) is palpable, and she simply appears to be hostile and completely lacking in maturity.
The eldest sister is the main character, in my opinion, and has the most visibility of emotions and growth. Her relationship with her grandpa is admirable, and for me, I could feel her genuine care for him above all else. That alone helped me enjoy the movie more, because it reinforced that she had some solid evidence of her efforts to be part of the family.
The brother is adorable, to me, because I feel for him; he has the underdog vibe, as he struggles to make a success of his life. His girlfriend is absolutely beautiful and cool/calm/collected, which really helps keep the movie uplifting. I loved seeing their scenes together. The chef/kitchen scenes were surprisingly interesting to me, as I typically don't get into food scenes; it was the intensity of a chef's kitchen that struck me most, and the fact that it is NOT easy to be in the food industry.
The most pivotal moments for me in this movie are when Nonno goes on his walk that turned out to be longer than expected, and also when the two sisters are having their tense conversation at dinner out, and Nonno has to intervene. Both of those were very well-done scenes, as I felt the tension and pain of the older sister.
Overall, the movie was good, but again, more of a drama that could work at any time of year vs. A Christmas movie.