A very different Christmas film, feels very real, how people's lives can be affected by a border.
But also how the human race can help each other in need
32 Reviews
Makes you realise how lucky you are
tracyjc-6745013 December 2020
Tear jerker for sure
and_shove_it_up_your_butt22 December 2020
I shed tears a few times while watching You Are My Home. Very heartfelt and well acted by the entire cast from start to finish. A movie like this one will stay with you after you've turned the tv off and gone onto other activities.
A gentle and tender film
NYFAlibrary27 February 2021
Why ten stars? Because I wept openly 5 times during this touching movie. Oh my goodness what a heartfelt story. A timely commentary on the plight of the invisible innocents who bear the burden of their place in history. The cast and acting is excellent. The directing superb. This film is a long loving embrace that spans sadness to comfort to sheer joy and delight. A lovely lovely film.
The message is great, the acting and writing ...
LAlot17 December 2020
Not Your Typical Christmas Movie...And That Is a Good Thing!
spasek18 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If this had been your typical, Hallmark Christmas movie, we'd have had the Christmas template shoved down our throats for the 50th time. And if this film had been made by Hallmark, that's exactly what we would have gotten!
Fortunately, someone was smart enough to not go down that road and actually provide us with a unique story, as well as relevant and touching one at that.
Separated from her mother during an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Alexandra "Alex" Ramirez ends up on the streets in a small, southern Texas town, while her mother is arrested and deported. She is soon discovered by Chloe who takes her to Sloane Henley who works for Child and Family Services.
Alex is a young girl without a family. Chloe is young woman without one. Both are suffering from loss, and Sloane has to talk Chloe into taking Alex into her home for two weeks until Sloane can find a more permanent solution. Of course, Chloe is reluctant, but she finally agrees.
What happens next is a process of healing as Alex and Chloe each slowly begin to fill the void/the emptiness left by the loss of their loved ones. At first, Chloe is cold and detached, but she slowly begins to break down the walls as she deals with the loss of her husband and young son. It may be easier to just "shut down" but ultimately, this is a facade. The pain is never let go. It's simply allowed to fester.
Carlos is a young man who happens across Alex one day, and through her, he gets to know Chloe. Soon, and a bit predictably, the three begin spending a lot of time together.
This film addresses a truly tragic, and even criminal issue, in which families are literally broken apart. It's heart-wrenching to see something in a movie that is literally occuring as I write this. Imagine if this happened to you?
The only downside to the film is that the romance between Carlos and Chloe feels rushed and a bit forced. I think Chloe would have needed a lot more time to break those walls down even further before something like that would have happened. Especially given how much of a transition it was for her just to have Alex around. Extending the story from 92 minutes and adding another 20-30 minutes would have rounded things out nicely and made this element feel far more realistic than what we ended up getting.
While the cast is all rock solid, I can't say enough about young Eva Ariel Bender. This young actress brings tremendous depth and feeling to her role of Alex. When she laughs, we giggle along with her. When she cries, you can't help but let some tears fall.
I was also happy to see Netflix give us some diversity in their story. I loved the Hispanic culture being brought to the forefront of this film. We need more of this in films today. Hallmark seems reluctant to do this, for some reason, which is why I no longer watch or support their programs. I even wrote to them but received no response.
This is a touching, non-typical Christmas movie that will likely stay with you for a while, and it might also help to remind you of just blessed you are and importance of family.
Fortunately, someone was smart enough to not go down that road and actually provide us with a unique story, as well as relevant and touching one at that.
Separated from her mother during an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Alexandra "Alex" Ramirez ends up on the streets in a small, southern Texas town, while her mother is arrested and deported. She is soon discovered by Chloe who takes her to Sloane Henley who works for Child and Family Services.
Alex is a young girl without a family. Chloe is young woman without one. Both are suffering from loss, and Sloane has to talk Chloe into taking Alex into her home for two weeks until Sloane can find a more permanent solution. Of course, Chloe is reluctant, but she finally agrees.
What happens next is a process of healing as Alex and Chloe each slowly begin to fill the void/the emptiness left by the loss of their loved ones. At first, Chloe is cold and detached, but she slowly begins to break down the walls as she deals with the loss of her husband and young son. It may be easier to just "shut down" but ultimately, this is a facade. The pain is never let go. It's simply allowed to fester.
Carlos is a young man who happens across Alex one day, and through her, he gets to know Chloe. Soon, and a bit predictably, the three begin spending a lot of time together.
This film addresses a truly tragic, and even criminal issue, in which families are literally broken apart. It's heart-wrenching to see something in a movie that is literally occuring as I write this. Imagine if this happened to you?
The only downside to the film is that the romance between Carlos and Chloe feels rushed and a bit forced. I think Chloe would have needed a lot more time to break those walls down even further before something like that would have happened. Especially given how much of a transition it was for her just to have Alex around. Extending the story from 92 minutes and adding another 20-30 minutes would have rounded things out nicely and made this element feel far more realistic than what we ended up getting.
While the cast is all rock solid, I can't say enough about young Eva Ariel Bender. This young actress brings tremendous depth and feeling to her role of Alex. When she laughs, we giggle along with her. When she cries, you can't help but let some tears fall.
I was also happy to see Netflix give us some diversity in their story. I loved the Hispanic culture being brought to the forefront of this film. We need more of this in films today. Hallmark seems reluctant to do this, for some reason, which is why I no longer watch or support their programs. I even wrote to them but received no response.
This is a touching, non-typical Christmas movie that will likely stay with you for a while, and it might also help to remind you of just blessed you are and importance of family.
CRIED THE ENTIRE TIME
adebeshink10 December 2020
Not even joking.... I was in tears from beginning to end. Not even Titanic stands a chance against how much I cried. A bittersweet movie worth every second. I think what's more surprising is even though there were cringy parts and illogical progressions (as with most Christmas movies), the overarching plot was still very well delivered. The little girl is a brilliant actress as well. Also, great to see fresh-face Alyssa!
Enjoyable Christmas movie with a serious message
raevn121 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this story as it was not your average Christmas trope. Packed with serious issues and character growth it really kept me interested right to the end. Well almost to the end - It unfortunately went wrong for me with the injection of a weird montage/storyline that didn't seem to make any sense. I didn't know what was going on. Who was that new random person? Did a lot of time pass? I had a weird sense that it was next Christmas but maybe not. There must be a reason for me needing all this information, but what was it??? (spoiler alert) The mom suddenly dies in a river crossing accident and the kid seemed perfectly fine with this and carrying on with a joyful Christmas with her new family - possibly within a couple days. WHAT THE ....??
Anyway, apart from that There is some great acting in this film - that girl will go far without a doubt.
Anyway, apart from that There is some great acting in this film - that girl will go far without a doubt.
Heartwarming on so many levels
greenmonkeymommy12 December 2020
I truly loved this movie. The story went a few different ways. It wasn't the typical holiday movie. All of the actors were amazing. I loved seeing Allyssa Milano. This is a movie that will tug at your heart. It might have you tear up s little. I did cry a bit. I recommend this holiday movie.
Great Messages, Mediocre Production
Sarah4232 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
You Are My Home tells the story of a girl split from her mother by immigration. Though panicked, she manages to evade the authorities and stay a night on the street only to basically turn herself over to Children's Services the next day.
That's after asking a rather surly business woman for her bottle of water, rather than hiding and doing a dumpster dive or going carefully back to her former home to raid the fridge before properly taking off.
The business woman (Chloe/Angel Parker) is, of course, given a full back story of grief and loneliness as the film progresses.
And in the process of protecting the girl (Alex/Eva Ariel Binder) with help from a handsome man (Carlos/Cristián de la Fuente ), the woman learns to "smile again."
---
Thus, the predictable Christmas movie romance comes together from the two pretty adults who have an oppositional meet cute at the start.
And the predictable family is formed, though this one a "found family" with a social message.
---
In truth, the message about immigration is the strongest part of the movie, with the girl, Alex's, mother fleshed out well during flashbacks.
The scenes with JD Hinton as the judge were fun.
---
However, there were just some unbelievable moments that drag things down, where characters did odd things (a young girl getting into a truck with a strange man or turning herself over to a random stranger when she was fresh on the run)
There were moments the plot moved too fast (CPS doesn't move at anywhere near this schedule)
There were even times I questioned the set (streets with dumpsters aren't that clean and a kid huddling under a blanket shouldn't look that cozy.)
---
As in all Christmas movies, my main rule is if you love the actors you overlook all the other things and accept the formula.
But I really didn't connect, even with Alyssa Milano (the CPS lawyer), whose name was the reason I started to watch.
It's passable. It's message is pure. I'd not argue against turning it on.
But it's not at the top of my list.
So I'm left with a seven/ten and a wish they'd had more budget or time to do a more satisfactory job.
That's after asking a rather surly business woman for her bottle of water, rather than hiding and doing a dumpster dive or going carefully back to her former home to raid the fridge before properly taking off.
The business woman (Chloe/Angel Parker) is, of course, given a full back story of grief and loneliness as the film progresses.
And in the process of protecting the girl (Alex/Eva Ariel Binder) with help from a handsome man (Carlos/Cristián de la Fuente ), the woman learns to "smile again."
---
Thus, the predictable Christmas movie romance comes together from the two pretty adults who have an oppositional meet cute at the start.
And the predictable family is formed, though this one a "found family" with a social message.
---
In truth, the message about immigration is the strongest part of the movie, with the girl, Alex's, mother fleshed out well during flashbacks.
The scenes with JD Hinton as the judge were fun.
---
However, there were just some unbelievable moments that drag things down, where characters did odd things (a young girl getting into a truck with a strange man or turning herself over to a random stranger when she was fresh on the run)
There were moments the plot moved too fast (CPS doesn't move at anywhere near this schedule)
There were even times I questioned the set (streets with dumpsters aren't that clean and a kid huddling under a blanket shouldn't look that cozy.)
---
As in all Christmas movies, my main rule is if you love the actors you overlook all the other things and accept the formula.
But I really didn't connect, even with Alyssa Milano (the CPS lawyer), whose name was the reason I started to watch.
It's passable. It's message is pure. I'd not argue against turning it on.
But it's not at the top of my list.
So I'm left with a seven/ten and a wish they'd had more budget or time to do a more satisfactory job.
Not Bad
lilyannamatrypula31 January 2021
Not a Bad movie, I liked the story it definitely opens your eyes to real world problem. The acting was not it, it wasn't bad just cringey I think it was the lines as well they could have been written smoother. The story is also predictable not only the story as a whole but the little things in it too...
Sensational
gemmaphant12 December 2020
Great for what it is. If only it knew what that was.
infinitysquall29 December 2020
You Are My Home is the Christmas Movie equivalent of marrying the safe and secure rebound person after the love of your life smashes your heart to pieces. Give me three more paragraphs and I shall explain.
Normally a movie of this caliber wouldn't warrant my attention past the time it takes to watch it. However while browsing IMDB for some of the actors other works, I noticed a few reviews that perplexed me. I, myself, am a huge fan of accuracy. Pair that trait with indomitable optimism, and you get a person that will encourage you to love the worst movie that's ever been made, PROVIDED you ENJOY it. Love what you love. But be honest about it. Don't try and pretend that Fast and Furious is Shakespeare, love it for what it is.
You Are My Home is worth the time it takes to watch it. It's a Christmas story that admonishes the havoc that has been caused by American Border practices. The problem with the direction of this particular story is that when put together these two ideas become less than the sum of their parts. Is it good to make a movie to help us re-examine how our border policies are affecting real humans? Absolutely. Is it fun to watch a movie about an Unlikely Couple brought together by a plucky child? One Hundred Percent. But these two themes seem to try and compete for attention in this movie rather than collaborate to make the message more effective.
The message I came away with was this. The director of this movie did not have mastery of the kind of story they wanted to tell. So they ended up putting a foot in both camps. Sometimes mixing these types of genres creates magic. In the case of You Are My Home, it watered down both sides. Overall, I'd rate this movie a 6/10. But given my desire for accuracy, I have given it a 4/10 to try and balance the scale a bit. Because I enjoyed this movie, and I want you to enjoy it too. But that means being honest about what it is. And this movie is a very well-meaning but very confused mess of themes and ideas. So forget your expectations and enjoy it for what it is.
Normally a movie of this caliber wouldn't warrant my attention past the time it takes to watch it. However while browsing IMDB for some of the actors other works, I noticed a few reviews that perplexed me. I, myself, am a huge fan of accuracy. Pair that trait with indomitable optimism, and you get a person that will encourage you to love the worst movie that's ever been made, PROVIDED you ENJOY it. Love what you love. But be honest about it. Don't try and pretend that Fast and Furious is Shakespeare, love it for what it is.
You Are My Home is worth the time it takes to watch it. It's a Christmas story that admonishes the havoc that has been caused by American Border practices. The problem with the direction of this particular story is that when put together these two ideas become less than the sum of their parts. Is it good to make a movie to help us re-examine how our border policies are affecting real humans? Absolutely. Is it fun to watch a movie about an Unlikely Couple brought together by a plucky child? One Hundred Percent. But these two themes seem to try and compete for attention in this movie rather than collaborate to make the message more effective.
The message I came away with was this. The director of this movie did not have mastery of the kind of story they wanted to tell. So they ended up putting a foot in both camps. Sometimes mixing these types of genres creates magic. In the case of You Are My Home, it watered down both sides. Overall, I'd rate this movie a 6/10. But given my desire for accuracy, I have given it a 4/10 to try and balance the scale a bit. Because I enjoyed this movie, and I want you to enjoy it too. But that means being honest about what it is. And this movie is a very well-meaning but very confused mess of themes and ideas. So forget your expectations and enjoy it for what it is.
Keep tissues by your side just in case
jimkatesyr18 December 2020
I am old, and I view myself as no longer susceptible to heartstring pulling media. But the National Catholic Reporter recommended this movie as one of the 4 best Christmas films to watch. So, since I happen to have Netflix, I watched it. And, I am embarrassed to admit that I cried. It touched me on several levels.
A Joy for the Heart
micost-2650218 December 2020
I'm usually not a fan of these kinds of films, but at this time of darkness, as I contemplate Christmas in isolation from friends and loved ones, this movie has lifted my spirits. The script and acting were good, the directing was very good, the child had all the cuteness in the world locked up and Alyssa Milano was gorgeous.I look forward to seeing more from the people who created it.
Details matter
carrieserritella30 December 2020
The Methodist Church recognizes only 2 sacraments. The Sunday School teacher is teaching 7. So the director/writers should have done their research and used a Catholic Church or discussed only 2 sacraments.
I found it impossible to believe a grown man would give a girl a ride in his truck. While I understand why the idea is included it in the plot- it's too unbelievable.
I also don't think it's possible that Child Services and the court would grant permanent guardianship in 2 weeks.
Nice storyline, but the details matter.
I found it impossible to believe a grown man would give a girl a ride in his truck. While I understand why the idea is included it in the plot- it's too unbelievable.
I also don't think it's possible that Child Services and the court would grant permanent guardianship in 2 weeks.
Nice storyline, but the details matter.
I trust IMBD's ratings to chose my movies. Maybe I shouldn't?
hzchfsqz15 December 2020
Sometimes low-budget movies can surprise you with quality stories and performances. This movie had none of that. It was rated a 7.7. For what reason I ask? I agree the thematic material may have been poignant, but the execution missed on so many levels it was insulting. This movie has its place and purpose but it should not be rated as highly as this. A 7.7 is an academy award level number. In terms of movie-making this should be rated about as low as movies go.
Beautiful story
maggieshimaonida16 December 2020
Ugh Alyssa Milano.
deut-0199725 June 2022
Turned it off as soon as I saw Alyssa Milano's face. The first sentence she spoke I could feel the hidden agenda spilling from her crusty lips. I feel bad for all the other actors who put in a lot of hard work, I felt like this was going to be a decently enjoyable movie. How unfortunate to not get to finish it bc Alyssa is in it. If it weren't for her loud political views, this would have been an easy watch.
This movie made me cry!
yamiposada18 December 2020
Worth a watch
diannebzy21 December 2020
Tough issues explored with tenderness
will-barrows21 January 2021
For Hallmark, this is a great movie. Three deeply hurt individuals learn to trust and love and become a family. Sometimes the acting is a little wooden but the story does not shy away from dealing with traumatic events that happen for real every day to illegal immigrants and their families. I was deeply mooved.
Finally!!
annette-8753620 December 2020
Finally a Christmas movie that isn't cliche. I'm tired of the "boy meets girl, boy and girl dislike each other, boy and girl are misunderstood and then fall in love". This is just a wonderful movie!!! It addresses a heart wrenching story that feels real but is very loving. I really enjoyed this movie!!
Broke my heart in the best of ways!
gazzella26 December 2020
From Director to Cast, this movie captured so many emotions unexpectedly that it made me forget it was a movie! My heart was taken deep into the story and it never left! Bravo to everyone that made this film possible!
Great movie, very moving!
croce-1260017 December 2020
This movie touches on a lot of current issues......all of which are handled very well, not over the top or extreme as some movies are. The acting is superb, the directing is top notch. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised. This young director, Amanda Raymond has a bright future. Bravo!!!!!
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