I've read some of the reviews, here, but I couldn't disagree more; the conversations or attempt at them was strained at best. I could not believe the chemistry at all.
13 Reviews
Strained relationships
rugle11116 December 2018
Good but it could have been better
santababyinc16 December 2018
About half of the dialogue was believable, the other half was cheesy or unrealistic. I like Lori Loughlin as an actress, but the character in this movie was written super shallow. The best part of the movie was the play by play of the cookie exchange.
Festive strain
TheLittleSongbird26 December 2019
'Homegrown Christmas' was one of the difficult to rate films seen as part of my recent festive film quest. Which was an interesting endeavour and a fairly worthwhile one, though quality-wise it was variable. Was pleasantly surprised by the likes of 'Coins for Christmas' and 'Christmas Around the Corner'. On the other side of the quality spectrum, there were a few that were dire, one of the worst being 'A Christmas Village' that failed on every level.
This, 'Homegrown Christmas' this is, was somewhere in between. Neither among the best recently seen Christmas films (or ever even), nowhere near, but also nowhere near close to being the worst (same thing). Some good things but also some bad things, so not too bad but not particularly good and worth a one-time watch but with no desire to see it again. Not a bad position to be in, as it is good if something is at least watchable, but not too great at the same time as timeless repeat viewings (of which there's plenty around).
Will start with the good things. It looks quite nice, not amazing but not slipshod either as the location captures the Christmas spirit well and is complemented competently by the photography. Even if the editing is not always there. The soundtrack fits well and doesn't sound too loud or overdone.
Although it would have been great if they came more consistently, there are amusing moments and the drama is cute and not too heavy. Some of the supporting do well with what they have, having presence but not over-compensating.
Did feel though that the leads did try too hard and their chemistry has no subtlety or charm. Actually found it continually strained, there are times where it is meant to be because the story called for it but it didn't all the time and any gear changes stayed the same. The story is at least coherent, but the joy and heart wasn't there and there were things that felt abrupt and rushed.
Both the comic and dramatic moments have moments, but the comedy mostly is just as strained as the never really believable romantic chemistry and when there is any sentimentality it is hard to stomach. The characters are not very well defined and are quite shallow. Some of the editing is sloppy.
Overall, watchable but didn't do a huge amount for me. 5/10
This, 'Homegrown Christmas' this is, was somewhere in between. Neither among the best recently seen Christmas films (or ever even), nowhere near, but also nowhere near close to being the worst (same thing). Some good things but also some bad things, so not too bad but not particularly good and worth a one-time watch but with no desire to see it again. Not a bad position to be in, as it is good if something is at least watchable, but not too great at the same time as timeless repeat viewings (of which there's plenty around).
Will start with the good things. It looks quite nice, not amazing but not slipshod either as the location captures the Christmas spirit well and is complemented competently by the photography. Even if the editing is not always there. The soundtrack fits well and doesn't sound too loud or overdone.
Although it would have been great if they came more consistently, there are amusing moments and the drama is cute and not too heavy. Some of the supporting do well with what they have, having presence but not over-compensating.
Did feel though that the leads did try too hard and their chemistry has no subtlety or charm. Actually found it continually strained, there are times where it is meant to be because the story called for it but it didn't all the time and any gear changes stayed the same. The story is at least coherent, but the joy and heart wasn't there and there were things that felt abrupt and rushed.
Both the comic and dramatic moments have moments, but the comedy mostly is just as strained as the never really believable romantic chemistry and when there is any sentimentality it is hard to stomach. The characters are not very well defined and are quite shallow. Some of the editing is sloppy.
Overall, watchable but didn't do a huge amount for me. 5/10
Homegrown Christmas
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 July 2019
Irony with a side of Lori Loughlin & one of her daughters!
kz917-118 August 2019
Lori Loughlin & Victor Webster headline this Hallmark Christmas movie. Also starring one of Loughlin's daughters with a subplot where she pulls strings to get her into college! Enjoyable if you are a fan of any of the actors.
ITS A HALLMARK ..... MOVIE
debejere6 October 2019
What made you fall in love. Homegrown Christmas. Kinda cute. Kinda cheeky. Most of us have lived thru this and done it. If I can or could give the actors in this movie different rating boy o boy would I. I love that LL Is going thru some terrible lawsuits, could go to jail and hallmark uses her. comme ci comme ça Bold move. He (Matt Hamilton).was just amazing
Familiar story likeable cast
phd_travel13 March 2019
The still pretty Lori Loughlin and a plumper Victor Webster star as 2 old flames reconnecting during the holidays. They have to plan a dance. She just resigned as boss of a shoe company. It's a familiar Hallmark formula with a likeable cast.
Good cast, good dialogue
Jackbv1239 December 2018
Lori Loughlin and Victor Webster are seasoned veterans of the Hallmark style of movies and it shows in this one. Either the witty dialogue was perfect for these two, or these two were perfect for this dialogue, but maybe it was both. There were several moments throughout with some light humor. The cookie exchange was perfect.
The story had several well used devices for a Christmas movie, so there was nothing surprising in that, but even so it was a decent story and it was put together smoothly.
I do have one minor complaint which is very common in this type of movie - more than one character did a 180 so fast it made my head spin.
The story had several well used devices for a Christmas movie, so there was nothing surprising in that, but even so it was a decent story and it was put together smoothly.
I do have one minor complaint which is very common in this type of movie - more than one character did a 180 so fast it made my head spin.
Facing the inevitable music
MickyG33329 January 2024
6.6 stars.
Lori Loughlin's character is supposedly around 40 years old and she's retiring from the company in New York City that she built from scratch. The actress is in her mid-50s. Yes, she does look good for her age but there's no way that she passes for a 40-ish year-old woman. I'm not gonna bother looking him up, but I think the lead male is pushing 50 as well. So now that the chronological ages are clarified, let's discuss the apparent maturity factor. Her character left him behind about 20 years ago and their parting ways was a mistake. He supposedly chose to stay behind, but we are not sure why. They're giving us bits and pieces of the puzzle to show us that there is more to the story. This is the same song, 50th verse: girl leaves boy behind, but remembers it differently, and supposedly he "set her free" so as not to hold her back from success. Now they are both regretting the decision, but the only reason why they are regretting it is because she has chosen to come home for Christmas. She's retired and has a lot of time on her hands, and they must face their guilt and work it out. Hypothetically, if she had never returned home, they would never revisit the old feelings, and never be together anyway. This is not a movie about fate, it's simply a movie about bad decisions, and having no choice but to face those decisions because you have nothing better to do. There's no lesson to be learned here. Well, maybe there is. The lesson is: don't be an idiot by choosing to sacrifice a relationship with your soulmate for no logical reason. So at its core, the theme is: don't be an idiot.
The dialogue in unoriginal, but I like both actors and the music and setting are nice. Otherwise, this movie deserves a 6.0 or below.
Lori Loughlin's character is supposedly around 40 years old and she's retiring from the company in New York City that she built from scratch. The actress is in her mid-50s. Yes, she does look good for her age but there's no way that she passes for a 40-ish year-old woman. I'm not gonna bother looking him up, but I think the lead male is pushing 50 as well. So now that the chronological ages are clarified, let's discuss the apparent maturity factor. Her character left him behind about 20 years ago and their parting ways was a mistake. He supposedly chose to stay behind, but we are not sure why. They're giving us bits and pieces of the puzzle to show us that there is more to the story. This is the same song, 50th verse: girl leaves boy behind, but remembers it differently, and supposedly he "set her free" so as not to hold her back from success. Now they are both regretting the decision, but the only reason why they are regretting it is because she has chosen to come home for Christmas. She's retired and has a lot of time on her hands, and they must face their guilt and work it out. Hypothetically, if she had never returned home, they would never revisit the old feelings, and never be together anyway. This is not a movie about fate, it's simply a movie about bad decisions, and having no choice but to face those decisions because you have nothing better to do. There's no lesson to be learned here. Well, maybe there is. The lesson is: don't be an idiot by choosing to sacrifice a relationship with your soulmate for no logical reason. So at its core, the theme is: don't be an idiot.
The dialogue in unoriginal, but I like both actors and the music and setting are nice. Otherwise, this movie deserves a 6.0 or below.
rip off twilight
immywindy19 December 2022
I went into this film expecting a brilliant love story, only to find it was twilight ripped off! The main character is so self absorbed, and her soon to be christmas hating boyfriend was just there doing nothing. The mistletoe scene was hideously awkward, just kiss already. The plot was so bad, but i'll give you one star for the alien sub plot where the mother is revealed to be an alien from Pluto who came to earth to destroy christmas cheer, however it was cliche when the boyfriend saved our main gal from the mother eating her. It should have been Wendy Williams saving her as they had more chemistry than the main character and the love interest. Be more original next time, and stop with the guy in green and the girl in red photo. Start including the alien in the poster.
No more "What if ?"
ssimeonidou15 January 2021
I really liked this movie!!! A story about two people who get a SECOND CHANCE in love!
Lori and Victor were amazing together, with chemistry, humor, emotions and good acting. There where some times that i thought Lori was too serious in her part and not loose enough (influence of her role in When calls the heart i suppose) but still she was very expressive.
I found the cast in total good, the plot whas very good and he dialogues had spice and sincerety. I found very realistic their fears, hesitations and hopes as they were depicted though the script. I've been there my self and it's hard to let go... But true love always find the way.
I also liked that it was about two people over 40 acting accordinly their age, their history together and backround.
This one i will defenitely see again!!!
They don't grow them like that around here!
adamjohns-425751 December 2021
I wouldn't say that this is the best film that I've ever seen and it's not even the best "Made For TV" Christmas film I've seen this year, but it doesn't offend. It also didn't excite that much.
Mr Webster is a tall dark (More Salt & Pepper really) and handsome man with charisma and the romance in the film works nicely because it's not all one sided like a lot of the others.
I would say that the structure of the story is very similar to many others that I've seen before, but this isn't one of the bad takes on it.
It can't be scored too highly because it just didn't have that X Factor, but don't let that put you off.
4ish?
Mr Webster is a tall dark (More Salt & Pepper really) and handsome man with charisma and the romance in the film works nicely because it's not all one sided like a lot of the others.
I would say that the structure of the story is very similar to many others that I've seen before, but this isn't one of the bad takes on it.
It can't be scored too highly because it just didn't have that X Factor, but don't let that put you off.
4ish?
Any Movie with Lori Loughlin is Worth the Watch
gehewe25 January 2019
"Every day's a Holiday with Mary". Every movie's a good one with Lori. As long as she gets to play her happy smart optimistic uncertain character, the movie is pleasant. She did get to do that and it is worth watching. I absolutely love Garage Sale Mysteries. Unfortunately we have a lackluster story which failed to accomplish what it could have. Victor Webster is a great match with her. I absolutely loved "IT'S CHRISTMAS, EVE" which had Gwynyth Walsh as the mom, both were a success. It also had the lady who plays the librarian in Aurora Teagarden, Ellie Harvey. Her part as the mayor there was great, but as the stewardess mom here, it just did not work. I enjoyed the movie with Lori Loughlin. Hope they give her a better script next time. She is a treasure.
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