A Christmas Detour (2015 TV Movie) User Reviews

Doesn't make sense

[Jackbv123 · 5/10 · 15 July 2017]

None of the characters are likable in the beginning of this movie, especially not Paige and Dylan. In Dylan's case, his humor might grow on you. Paige's disposition might partially be explained by her anxiety, even though she denies having any.

Even though their animosity towards each other seems to suddenly disappear, it is still hard to understand much of what happens between them after the change. Why in the world would she suddenly be willing to kiss him. The improvement is still nothing close to any reason for romantic feelings. There has been nothing between them to explain it. I realize that it is a common movie device to have two people who start out antagonistic turn into lovers, but in this case it is a transparent device - there is not enough spark. At best, the two just don't spend enough good times together.

Frank and Maxine's story is interesting, and definitely more reasonable.

There isn't enough humor to make up for the poor, unbelievable story.

Another fun Candace Christmas movie

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 5 December 2015]

Candace Cameron Bure plays a writer who believes in vision boards and soulmates. She's engaged to a stuffy, insipid man and is supposed to meet his equally stuffy parents for the first time on Christmas. But bad weather stands in the way of her plans so she's forced to share a ride with a bickering married couple and a handsome bartender (Paul Greene) down on love. Along the way sparks fly, proving once again that opposites always attract in TV romcoms.

It's never a bad thing to see Candace Cameron Bure in a Christmas movie, even if she is playing a more obnoxious character than usual. It took me awhile to like the character as she's pretty much the exact type of person I try to avoid in my life. Eventually they do flesh her out a little and you grow to care about her some. I still wasn't completely enamored with her by the end. Which is saying a lot since I adore Candace and will sit through just about anything to watch her. For his part, Paul Greene is a step above the usual bland male lead these things tend to have. He's got a lot of charisma (and knows it), straddling that fine line between charming and cocky at all times. Candace and Paul have a nice chemistry together but, as fun as these two are, the real highlight of the movie is Sarah Strange and David Lewis as the married couple. They prove you don't have to have movie star good looks to be a compelling romcom relationship. In a perfect world actors like this could be the stars of the movie. As it is, we have to settle for them as supporting players who steal the spotlight. The guy playing Candace's fiancé and the actors playing his parents also do an admirable job with cardboard roles. I'm sure it wasn't easy.

Candace rarely disappoints with her TV movies. This one isn't among my favorites of hers but it is very enjoyable, despite a few flaws. It's predictable (as these things always are) but it does what it does well. If you're looking for a pleasant way to pass the time on a lazy Saturday afternoon, you could do a lot worse.

Above Average

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 5 November 2017]

I Have Reviewed OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.

On all Christmas movies BEWARE OF FAKE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. Many reviewers have only have ONE REVIEW. When it's a POSITIVE REVIEW chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. If its a negative review then they may have a huge grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. The only reason why I review them is to keep track of what "I have seen".

In this film

Two New York City-bound travelers find themselves inextricably linked when a snowstorm reroutes them to an airport hotel in Buffalo. Ever the eternal optimist and hopeless romantic, Paige desperately needs to find a way back home to meet her fiancee's parents before her forthcoming wedding. And it's somehow up to fellow passenger Dylan MacKenzie, who is permanently soured on romance following a recent heartbreak.

Candace limited acting range is very limited but she does a good job here. She doesn't have to stretch too hard for this film. However as much as I did enjoy this I think the film would have been much better had of cast "Alicia Witt" in this one.

Family safe but kids and most men will hate this.

A not so perfect Christmas Love story

[Ed-Shullivan · 6/10 · 5 December 2020]

Candace Cameron Bure is a sweetheart and even a better actress. Her on screen chemistry with her leading man Paul Greene also worked charmingly. What I had a hard time swallowing was the amount of air time in this movie that Paul Greene who plays Dylan Smith spent trying to convince Ms. Bure who plays Paige Summerlind if she was sure that she was marrying the man of her dreams, or the man who exists only on paper. In fact it is Paige Summerlind who has written one of those itemized lists in a popular women's magazine on 100 ways to ensure you have the right partner.

Mrs. Shullivan and I liked the theory of an unexpected road trip romance, but the constant bantering between Ms. Bure and Paul Greene became quite tiring until the films last 30 minutes kind of redeemed itself as the love/hate/love/hate/love relationship ended with a heartwarming climax.

I give this Christmas romance a 6 out of 10 IMDB rating mainly on the strong performances of the two (2) lead actors Candace Cameron Bure and Paul Greene.

more than nice

[Kirpianuscus · 6 December 2019]

The real good part - the couple Maxine and Frank Harper. The predactibility and the doses of realism. The atmosphere and, off course, Candace Cameron Bure. A film about small , significant things, defining us. And that does it just lovely.

Cute nice story for the holidays

[dontakeitpersonal · 7/10 · 22 December 2020]

Good chemistry between the actors. The storyline is a classic one, but always works if acted out correctly. For some reason I liked the pace of the movie, it had folks speed. Loved the characters, enough love to get the point, not matching fiancee with a the emotional father and prestigious mother. Loved it

Worthwhile detour

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 23 June 2020]

Was not expecting an awful lot from the story, which from reading the plot summary was one that indicated that it was going to be a film of very few surprises or originality. Watched 'A Christmas Detour' anyway as there are some watchable and more Hallmark festive films, as well as some mediocre or worst ones. And it is not hard to see why Candace Cameron Bure is one of Hallmark's most frequently used lead actresses, even though her characters tend to vary in likeability.

Something that is evident here in 'A Christmas Detour'. Which on the whole is a worthwhile effort. To me, it wasn't great and far from flawless. As far as Hallmark festive films go, 'A Christmas Detour' is somewhere in the solid middle rather than being on either extreme of best or worst. It does suffer from some of the things that quite a lot of Hallmark festive films have, but again from personal opinion 'A Christmas Detour's' appeal is understandable.

Am going to start with what works well, which is actually a lot. 'A Christmas Detour' looks good, especially the scenery which gives off a nice Christmas vibe. An aspect that Hallmark festive films more often than not excelled in, regardless of their variable authenticity the scenery regardless looked good still. There are some pleasant moments in the soundtrack. The acting is better than average, especially from Sarah Strange and David Lewis as the most interesting characters. Paul Greene does well as Dylan, even if you are frustrated at Dylan at times. It is sympathetically and not too routinely directed.

The script is not too bad. Nothing to be wowed by but other Hallmark festive films do a far worse job at making one cringe. It can be cornball definitely, but there is less of a cheese overload and it doesn't seem too soapy, or at least to me it didn't. The story is engaging and doesn't take itself too seriously, with moments of genuine and not too sugary charm and light-heartedness. Will agree though that the Frank and Maxine subplot is more involving and better written than the main plot overall.

Bure has given better performances in other films however. She isn't bad and does her best with some zesty moments, but she does tend to overplay and her character is obnoxious due to the over-eagerness being overdone. Would have liked a little more spark between her and Greene, which was there but doesn't quite explode enough, and their relationship could have done with more development. Which would have solved the problems of changes happening too fast and decision making being more plausible and less out of the blue.

Other Hallmark festive films fare worst in the script writing, but some parts still sounded on the forced and corny side. There is very little new done with a very tried and tested formula, so the story's predictability particularly towards the end is borderline excessive. The ending can be seen from miles away and is executed pretty much exactly as one expects. Some of the soundtrack is pleasant, at too many other times it is too constant and loud (which is a general problem seemingly with Hallmark festive films and a common criticism for them from some).

In summation, above average and worthwhile but not great. 6/10

Arguably the world's worst character ever written

[innocent_me-1 · 1/10 · 9 December 2021]

The main character, Paige, might possibly be the most obnoxious, self-absorbed, entitled character ever written. I don't know how much of this movie I can get through, but within the first 15 minutes, she's already displayed so many qualities that would drive the average person to drink. I don't even know where to begin. Let's see.... We'll start with her flight. The airline she booked clearly allows seat assignments because she selected an other-than-aisle seat and then demanded that upon check-in, the airline just randomly take someone else's seat and switch it with hers. Sorry, lady, but if I want an aisle seat, I select it in advance and if it's not available, I certainly don't steal it from someone else who had the foresight and luck to book it for themselves. Of course the airline says no, so she boards. When she arrives at her seat, she pretty much bullies other people into switching their seats so she can have theirs. Unbelievable. Ok, let's move on. She prattles on to anyone and everyone who will listen about her amazing fiancé, telling the same stories to the same people over and over, and insisting that EVERYONE look at his picture. And by everyone, I mean random people waiting in line for a shuttle at the airport. Ok, that's obnoxious, but once again, I'll move on. The weather shuts down the arriving airport so she's diverted to another city overnight and the airline provides hotel vouchers. When the hotel clerk checking her in advises her that the free hotel voucher is good for one night and will be re-evaluated the following day if the airports are still closed, she announced that it's not possible for the inclement weather to last another day and for the airports to remain closed. When the clerk informs her that they have no control over the weather as well as when the airports reopen (duh), she says "well then maybe I need to speak to your manager." It was at this point that I realized I wasn't going to get through this movie. The world is full of entitled Karen's, and I certainly don't need to relax and watch a Christmas movie starring the mother of all Karens. Sorry Hallmark, but this was a swing and a miss.

Absolute Favorite Hallmark Movie!

[MovieQween-33622 · 10/10 · 25 December 2018]

I'd have to say as an avid Hallmark watcher, this is one of the cutest I've seen! The chemistry between actors is really good and the story line is sweet. I was really surprised by the supporting characters, Frank and Maxine. They were hilarious and worked well with the main actors. Paul Greene is really charming and handsome. He works well with Candace and overall this is a sweet, feel good Christmas movie!

A Christmas Detour

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 26 December 2019]

7/10 - cheesy as ever, this is a frequent Hallmark feature in my family

Not a "feel good" movie

[moriley9 · 3/10 · 16 October 2016]

While I enjoy so many of Hallmark's holiday movies, this is not one of its best. Paige's character is just annoying, and Dylan is as stiff as a board. The unhappily married companion couple, Frank and Maxine, is the best-acted story line, despite their boring dialogue. What in the world did Paige ever see in her fiancé Jack? He's a dud. Nothing is remotely believable in this film. And, sadly, it appears that some substandard CGI was inserted, too, like the holiday tree in the very beginning. Everyone, including the director, was just going through the motions on this one. It could have been so much more with a better script and direction, and with actors who wanted to be there.

Heartwarming Christmas Romance

[vonna-05624 · 9/10 · 2 January 2018]

I sometimes wonder why certain people choose to watch certain movies.....do not believe the negative reviews of this movie. This is a lovely Christmas romance movie, with good acting and realistic characters. I have certainly met and know people like these characters, even the parents of the husband to be....so I am confused by some of the reviews saying the characters are not believable. My husband and I enjoyed watching this together. You will too.

Goof early in the movie

[pmtilton-88051 · 6/10 · 17 January 2021]

When Paige is in the airport shop, she offers to buy the customer a copy of the magazine. Takes three dollars out, appears to hand it to the lady, then the bills are still in her hand when she walks away... Come on! How about some attention to detail! And how about the major car repairs that must have happened early Christmas morning to get them back on the road? Really?

All about a motor-mouth, irksome, ditzy blonde

[SimonJack · 3/10 · 26 November 2022]

If one's idea of entertainment is a goofy script, irritating character, and very far-fetched engagement, perhaps this film would by okay. But I think many people besides me will find "A Christmas Detour" a real drag. The lead character, Paige Summerlind (played by Candace Bure) is flying from Los Angeles to New York to meet the parents of her fiancé for the first time over Christmas, and to plan their spring wedding. If one can bear with the film to near the end, and see her fiancé, Jack, and his parents, the big question would be when and where did she meet this guy, and how did they ever get engaged? Was she smoking something strange at the time, or under the influence?

For there to be a detour in flights, there has to be a cause, and that's the unforeseen snow storm that hits New England and closes all the New York City area airports. Fortunately - or otherwise, for Paige, and some others, their plane can land at Buffalo. By this time, though, I was worn out by the motor-mouth Paige who appears to passengers, including Dylan Smith (played by Paul Greene) as a ditzy blonde. And, that's just exactly what this character is right up until the last few minutes. It's so bad and irksome that I would not have watched this film al the way through had it not been for a couple on the same plane and who were part of the story. Frank and Maxine Harper (David Lewis and Sara Strange) are an odd couple, married 20 years, and constantly bickering or squabbling over something. And, it's mostly humorous. So, to see how they would come of this, I stayed with this film.

Their part in the film is the only reason I give it even three stars. The conclusion with Paige and Dylan, which anyone who has watched Christmas romance movies knows, isn't worth sticking it out for - it's that mundane. Dylan's character probably is supposed to be a sort of balance to Page's silly and erratic manner. He's clearly irritated with her in the beginning, but then he just seems like a dumb ox with a smiling, smug look most of the rest of the movie. .

This is one holiday film that discerning movie buffs will want to avoid entirely.

Characters not really believable

[wjorg · 2/10 · 26 December 2015]

There is nothing really believable about any of the characters created in this film, or if there is, they are all intentionally shallow. Why a film is made with such lack of depth is beyond me, and why the film has such a high rating is equally baffling. The genre is listed as "Comedy", and one of the important parts within the film is humour, but very seldom do the characters laugh. I certainly found myself without any laughter, but just pity for most of the roles the actors were playing. The film could have provided some excitement with winter driving conditions, and trudging through the snow after an incident, but that was omitted. There are however, some nice Christmas scenes throughout. This movie appears to be geared for and aimed at a 10 year old. 2/10 for scenery.

Loved it!

[Luvhallmark · 8/10 · 7 January 2019]

I didn't get a chance to watch this movie the year it came out but I did watch over Christmas 2018 and I adored it. I love CCB so naturally I was happy to see this. I thought there was good chemistry between her male counterpart. I must say, I absolutely loved the supporting actors, the married couple that traveled with them... they were very good in their roles!! All in all, I thought it was a good movie - worth the watch.

Don't bother.

[jen-13718 · 1/10 · 28 December 2018]

Turned it off 20 minutes in because it was dull and the main female character was over the top annoying!

On the Road Again

[rebekahrox · 8/10 · 1 December 2015]

A high-strung writer gets hooked up with an irreverent laid back fellow and a seemingly happily married couple on the way to visit their families on Christmas. They are thrown together when a snow-storm cancels their flight and they decide to share an automobile to get to their destinations. The Candace Cameron character is traveling to the Hamptons to meet her fiancée's family for the first time. It is a road movie in which romance blossoms, true character is revealed, and secrets are uncovered. The fiancé and his parents are deliciously evil, Cameron-Bure, while always reliable, is quite likable and funny, and the married couple and the hero are well played, interesting, and nice to look at.

What I really want to address, and this movie is a perfect example, is Hallmarks penchant for casting 40 year-olds in the roles of 20 or early thirty year-olds. Aren't there any promising young actors and actresses out there?. I am tired of seeing the same faces over and over. It is particularly absurd in this one. The older experienced couple who have a 20 year relationship and a daughter old enough to have a beautiful old home, are played by actors who are the same age, if not younger, than the couple they are meant to be mentoring!

Below average

[teebear-16654 · 1/10 · 19 November 2019]

They turn these movies out on a conveyor belt... some of these actresses do dozens of these movies, such as Alicia Witt and Cadace Cameron Bure. It's always the same tired formulaic Style.. it's always either about saving some inn or Farm or something from destruction or about a man and a woman coming together unexpectedly and usually has a fiance who gets screwed over. they always make the fiance out to be a rotten guy who's nasty, rude, and disrespectful to try to make the fans want the poor woman to abandon him to go to the new guy...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't: this one did not. Bure is actually unlikeable in this one. There was zero chemistry between her and the guy. No feel good moments, no rooting for them like other movies. She was not pleasant, in fact she was unlikeable. Pass this stinker up and watch an Alicia Witt one. She is likeable.

Lack of effort

[sonjagodbout-26373 · 1/10 · 30 November 2022]

Extremely poor acting, worse than a grade xchool production. There is not one character to like. All of the characters are extremely annoying. Hallmark makes no effort in production. Just once you would like to see real snow in one of their movies. Then story line is about a snowstorm completely block all transportation systems, airports closed and trains not running. Yet they are driving around all over the countryside, in a two foot snowstorm. There are all kinds of errors in the storyline like when they crash the car on Christmas Eve, the mechanic can't work on it because he is closing early, but he'll get to it first thing the next morning. Really, on Christmas Day? Hallmark needs to try harder.

SUCH A CUTE MOVIE

[BurberryGal · 10/10 · 3 January 2019]

Love the chemistry between the characters Paige (Candace Cameron Bure) and Dylan (Paul Greene). Paul Greene is definitely my favorite actor on hallmark channel. He is so magnetic onscreen and has such a fun personality to watch.

Perfectly fine Christmas rom com with some fun secondary characters

[juneebuggy · 5/10 · 20 January 2016]

This was an absolutely fine Christmas rom-com. Granted I can't remember anything about it 2 days after watching it, but it worked perfectly as atmosphere and background noise while I was making cookies a couple of days before Xmas.

It stars Candace Cameron-Bure as an optimistic (and fairly annoying) woman on her way to New York to meet her future in laws for the first time when a snow storm grounds her flight. Seated next to her is Paul, he's going home for the first time in years since his brother hooked up with his then girlfriend and crushed his heart. Now stranded in Buffalo the mismatched pair decide to share a rental car to get to their destinations. Also long for the ride are Frank & Maxine, a long married, barb-exchanging couple who steal just about every scene they're in. These guys were funny and interesting.

The story then turns into a sort of road trip mishap adventure, where secrets are revealed and romance blooms. I did warm to Candace's character as things progressed and she shared decent chemistry with (the very nice looking) Paul Greene, although both of them felt wooden in their roles which I put down to the director. This was also very obviously not filmed in December or any other winter month due to the amount of fake snow and people sweating in winter jackets.

Despite my bitter sounding review this was an okay movie, Oh and I found out that this was shot during a heat wave in Langley, BC (Canada subbing as Buffalo) 12/22/15

Funny, Festive, And A Feel-Good Film

[bensabin-34648 · 9/10 · 13 December 2017]

I ended up watching this film last night whilst searching through Netflix for a light-hearted easy-going festive film to watch on an evening. The thumbnail to this film looked interesting an I watched it to just see if it was any good or not.

This film did meet my expectations, the plot, cast and nature of the film kept me watching the film al the way through without stopping.

This classic plot for a storyline of a struggle to travel during a major holiday is complimented even further by the humour and warm nature of the film, and in many was exceeded expectations placed following other films with plotlines of unexpected journeys during major holidays such as the 1987 film 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'. This film uniquely applies to the classic foundation for a plot line as it features the underlying theme of four characters, that due to this unexpected turn of events, discover more about each other and question their original views in which they first displayed at the beginning of the film

I would highly recommend this modern festive film to anyone getting in the Christmas/ Holiday spirit

I cant get past the glowing errors

[shardlund-20948 · 3/10 · 21 November 2021]

There is so much wrong with this movie.

1) they are in such bad weather that flights and trains are cancelled, but they are strolling along a Christmas village without so much as a hat.

2) Maxine and Frank have been married 20 years, but they are visiting their daughter and her husband. Was the daughter a child bride?

3) Maxine is a California girl. Why was their first apartment in the East Village?

I usually love Hallmark movies, but someone needed to make this more realistic.

Actors too old to be believable

[anchoress72 · 5/10 · 11 October 2017]

The story is actually kind of cute (I guess I have a soft spot for snowed-in stories), but the ages of the actors are ridiculous. Frank and Maxine were born in 1976 and 1974, respectively--yet were supposed to be older (significantly, I believe, since they have an adult daughter)--while Paige and Dylan were also born in 1976 and 1974, respectively. This seriously makes no sense. Also, no one would roast a turkey all night unattended. Finally, I at least knew going in that Paige would be rah-rah marriage and anti-career, but...most Hallmark movies make me want to gag on their anti-feminist position.