Reunited at Christmas is not a typical Hallmark Christmas movie. I don't know what got into those folks at Hallmark, but I hope we see more of these presentations that don't follow the usual bone-tired formula. Not that it wasn't predictable or anything or had a sad ending, God forbid. But they did break free a little bit. Briefly the family's beloved "Nana" dies and her final wish is that her Son, his ex-wife(who she loved like a daughter) and their two daughters spend Christmas in the family homestead, which is now going to be sold. Our focus is on the daughter played by Nikki Deloach. She is a writer and has a serious boyfriend who is an anchorman. He accompanies her to the family gathering where he pops the question. She says yes, and immediately freaks out because she has abandonment issues(dead Nana and her former fiancé practically left her at the altar.) Believe it or not, steady city boyfriend does not get dumped for a local boy. Instead they work out their problems and resolve her doubts and fears. There is hope that the divorced parents just might get back together eventually as well. Nikki and all of the cast members do an excellent job. On the negative side, most of the movie consisted of Nikki moping around being indecisive and her father pining away for his independent ex-wife, who appears to have moved forward quite nicely without him. All in all this was a Hallmark Christmas movie that was a very mature and sort of realistic approach to a family at Christmas. No magic Santa's, time travel, bad boyfriends, or failing businesses, or hate turns to love conflict. It was quite refreshing.
36 Reviews
Christmas loss and laughter
jillworkstruemph1 December 2018
Hallmark Christmas 2018 has been a dissapointment to me; but this movie reminded me of its prior brilliance. It does have a sad turn; but so does Christmas sometimes. I loved the lead actors and their chemistry was apparent. It is a great reminder that there is laughter even in the face of loss. Worth a watch.
Good but Should have been on HM&M
acborgia4 December 2018
Honestly I found this a bit refreshing. The love story was one that existed prior to the start of the movie and not some world wind 2 week romance or two people reunited after years. I do feel that it belonged on HM&M and not regular Hallmark as it wasn't light like Hallmark movies are. Overall it was a sweet story about family and the spirit of Christmas.
Better than average Hallmark effort.
rightisright26 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is not the standard plot with a girl with the wrong guy to start only to end up with someone else.
This movie deals with more complex and mature themes of family and relationships.
Nikki Deloach is so interesting to watch, and it's great to see her paired up with Lisa Durupt again.
Lots of relationship stuff, but well done
kahast2 December 2019
If you don't want to think about the pain that relationships can cause at Christmas, skip this one. It's a good story, about the daughter's relationship and that of her divorced parents. Of course there are happy endings for all, and I loved how they used Nana's posthumous instructions to have a wonderful Christmas.
Just missing something.
adamjohns-4257531 December 2020
Reunited At Christmas (2018) -
This was definitely one of those Christmas films that decided to make sure a whole list of festive activities were checked off, but also one of those where there was an ACTUAL checklist to do, left by some dead relative. It was a good example of the style however, if a tad treacly at times.
I did feel that it was just lacking that X-factor though, that certain something that others have had without even trying and perhaps that was because it was a tad forced in some moments. And I thought that perhaps there was too much going on as well.
As much as I enjoyed his previous performance in 'Love Always, Santa' (2016) Mike Faiola, as Simon, felt a bit fake and even his voice sounded very different. There was still something about him that I liked though.
His relationship with Samantha didn't seem to be as long term as they made out though and frankly I couldn't understand why he would bother to stay with her at all, because Nikki Deloach in that role, was sending such mixed messages throughout the story and he was obviously far too good for her. I personally would have been thrilled to marry him, because he was not only handsome with a good job but also obviously devoted to the one he loved, but she just couldn't see it.
I didn't feel that Samantha's separated parents were ever going to survive together in any way either. There were a lot of arguments between the pair and again I felt that Andrew Airlie as Bill was too good for Eileen Peddle's, Claire character.
It wasn't the worst of these films that are out there and I liked the fact that it wasn't the usual boy meets girl, but I have a list of better ones to watch.
6.3/10.
This was definitely one of those Christmas films that decided to make sure a whole list of festive activities were checked off, but also one of those where there was an ACTUAL checklist to do, left by some dead relative. It was a good example of the style however, if a tad treacly at times.
I did feel that it was just lacking that X-factor though, that certain something that others have had without even trying and perhaps that was because it was a tad forced in some moments. And I thought that perhaps there was too much going on as well.
As much as I enjoyed his previous performance in 'Love Always, Santa' (2016) Mike Faiola, as Simon, felt a bit fake and even his voice sounded very different. There was still something about him that I liked though.
His relationship with Samantha didn't seem to be as long term as they made out though and frankly I couldn't understand why he would bother to stay with her at all, because Nikki Deloach in that role, was sending such mixed messages throughout the story and he was obviously far too good for her. I personally would have been thrilled to marry him, because he was not only handsome with a good job but also obviously devoted to the one he loved, but she just couldn't see it.
I didn't feel that Samantha's separated parents were ever going to survive together in any way either. There were a lot of arguments between the pair and again I felt that Andrew Airlie as Bill was too good for Eileen Peddle's, Claire character.
It wasn't the worst of these films that are out there and I liked the fact that it wasn't the usual boy meets girl, but I have a list of better ones to watch.
6.3/10.
Sentimental, but not much story
Jackbv12322 November 2018
This is not a typical Christmas romance story. It is more of a family story. There are family activities and nostalgia.
There is a primary focus on Samantha and Simon who already have a relationship much of the movie is about a struggle in their relationship due to doubts on her part We learn some of her backstory which helps explain her attitude. As a result, I found the overall tone of the movie to be less optimistic than I would hope for in a Christmas movie.
This movie leaves out a lot of overused plot lines, but it does cram in a lot of the usual traditional Christmas activities. In fact Nanna gave them a list.
My rating is more about how I personally felt about the movie than about the actual quality of the story and acting. The story is refreshingly different from the usual fare and the acting is true to life.
There is a primary focus on Samantha and Simon who already have a relationship much of the movie is about a struggle in their relationship due to doubts on her part We learn some of her backstory which helps explain her attitude. As a result, I found the overall tone of the movie to be less optimistic than I would hope for in a Christmas movie.
This movie leaves out a lot of overused plot lines, but it does cram in a lot of the usual traditional Christmas activities. In fact Nanna gave them a list.
My rating is more about how I personally felt about the movie than about the actual quality of the story and acting. The story is refreshingly different from the usual fare and the acting is true to life.
Something Different!
marliz71126 November 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by the pleasant surprises in this Hallmark movie. At the beginning, I was waiting for the boyfriend to make a rude remark about Christmas, or cancel a date because he was too involved in his work, or complain about real Christmas trees dropping needles--you know, all the deadly sins of the Original Hallmark Boyfriend. I thought for sure that something like that would happen so Samantha could fall in love with the delivery man (played by Andrew Walker) and later learn that he is the king of a small country that none of us ever heard of.
Instead, the original boyfriend turned out to be a nice guy who was devoted to Samantha and her family. Furthermore, while there were issues between them (primarily Sam's fear of commitment), they didn't have that misunderstanding which occurs around the 1:35 mark and could be resolved in two minutes if they'd just have a conversation, and then, of course, they manage to work everything out seven minutes before the Big Kiss and the end of the movie. The relationships, problems, and conversations in this movie seemed more like real life.
This movie simply didn't follow the traditional Hallmark formula, and for that, I give it a couple of extra points. Kudos, too, to the casting: Nikki Deloach and Lisa Durupt really looked like sisters. I enjoyed this movie and hope to see more Hallmark movies that contain the warmth we expect from Hallmark while not being quite so paint-by-the-numbers as some of them are.
Instead, the original boyfriend turned out to be a nice guy who was devoted to Samantha and her family. Furthermore, while there were issues between them (primarily Sam's fear of commitment), they didn't have that misunderstanding which occurs around the 1:35 mark and could be resolved in two minutes if they'd just have a conversation, and then, of course, they manage to work everything out seven minutes before the Big Kiss and the end of the movie. The relationships, problems, and conversations in this movie seemed more like real life.
This movie simply didn't follow the traditional Hallmark formula, and for that, I give it a couple of extra points. Kudos, too, to the casting: Nikki Deloach and Lisa Durupt really looked like sisters. I enjoyed this movie and hope to see more Hallmark movies that contain the warmth we expect from Hallmark while not being quite so paint-by-the-numbers as some of them are.
more than nice
Kirpianuscus8 December 2020
I love it for be a film about family in high measure, for nice nuances and for good acting, for atmosphere and for fair perspective about marriage. And for the fairy tale beginning. And, no doubts, for the portrait of Nana, for her posthumuous gifts and for a so rare freshness. A beautiful story and a seductive, sure, in reasonable measure, Christmas story. So, just more than nice.
Touching reunion
TheLittleSongbird22 June 2021
Hallmark's Christmas output is very variable and 2018 was a mixed and generally not very impressive year for them. Some of their Christmas films that year were decent and more, three of the best being 'Road to Christmas', 'Christmas Made to Order' and 'A Shoe Addict's Christmas'. Other films in the batch are less than average, with 'A Gingerbread Romance' and 'Christmas at Graceland' being particularly weak. The others are in between.
'Reunited at Christmas' is one of the best Hallmark Christmas films from that year in my view. It is not quite my definition of a great film and there are definitely shortcomings with some of the story execution. Credit is due for 'Reunited at Christmas' doing something different from the usual Hallmark Christmas film formula and tackling heavier than usual subject matter, which it handles with more depth than expected and it is far from wasted, half-hearted or half-baked.
There are plenty of good things with 'Reunited at Christmas'. It pleases visually, with beautiful locations and the filming looks professional. The script doesn't get too cheesy or sentimental and does have a more natural flow the more settled it gets. Also really liked the writing's maturity and sincerity, nothing corny or childish here. As said, the story here is a departure from the usual type of story seen with Hallmark, so it is not as light-hearted and is more serious.
Luckily, the story's heavy theme is handled in a way that's well-intended, mature and poignant. The characters don't irritate while not being too perfect, they are not meaty but they have personality at least and not too stock. Nikki DeLoach and Mike Faiola are charming and affecting leads, neither overwrought and dull and it is easy to see what they see in each other. Their chemistry is genuine and easy to relate to, it grows at a realistic rate. Lisa Durupt and Andrew Airlie are sympathetic support.
Although most of the story appealed to me, it is admittedly very slight and has a few uneventful stretches in the middle. Which makes some of the film drag and the film could have had points where it was light-hearted, as it did feel a little too heavy going later.
Did feel too that the music could have been used less and been more subtle, spelling out the emotions a little too much at times.
In conclusion, admirable and well above average if not a masterpiece. 7/10.
'Reunited at Christmas' is one of the best Hallmark Christmas films from that year in my view. It is not quite my definition of a great film and there are definitely shortcomings with some of the story execution. Credit is due for 'Reunited at Christmas' doing something different from the usual Hallmark Christmas film formula and tackling heavier than usual subject matter, which it handles with more depth than expected and it is far from wasted, half-hearted or half-baked.
There are plenty of good things with 'Reunited at Christmas'. It pleases visually, with beautiful locations and the filming looks professional. The script doesn't get too cheesy or sentimental and does have a more natural flow the more settled it gets. Also really liked the writing's maturity and sincerity, nothing corny or childish here. As said, the story here is a departure from the usual type of story seen with Hallmark, so it is not as light-hearted and is more serious.
Luckily, the story's heavy theme is handled in a way that's well-intended, mature and poignant. The characters don't irritate while not being too perfect, they are not meaty but they have personality at least and not too stock. Nikki DeLoach and Mike Faiola are charming and affecting leads, neither overwrought and dull and it is easy to see what they see in each other. Their chemistry is genuine and easy to relate to, it grows at a realistic rate. Lisa Durupt and Andrew Airlie are sympathetic support.
Although most of the story appealed to me, it is admittedly very slight and has a few uneventful stretches in the middle. Which makes some of the film drag and the film could have had points where it was light-hearted, as it did feel a little too heavy going later.
Did feel too that the music could have been used less and been more subtle, spelling out the emotions a little too much at times.
In conclusion, admirable and well above average if not a masterpiece. 7/10.
Didn't make me care
mididen24 November 2018
Although it was great to reunite at Grandmother's old house for Christmas, there was little to make s care about the main characters getting together in the end. The setup was lacking any emotional connection. A real missing of the mark!
Relatable with Refreshing
puffinsb12 December 2018
Hallmark hit this one out of the park... despite what some of the other reviewers think. The storyline is so much more realistic and relatable than most of the other sappy cookie cutter movies. The characters are actually believable and the acting well done with excellent casting. This movie warrants a follow-up part 2 for next year's Hallmark Christmas movie line-up.
Okay Film
Christmas-Reviewer27 November 2018
I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.
As a child, Samantha spent every Christmas at her beloved Nana's house building the traditions of fun and joy with her family. Sam is facing the first Christmas without Nana and still struggling to find the Christmas spirit when she gets a surprise.
The film is cute but not one you will ever want to see again. The cast is good and the locations are attractive.
As a child, Samantha spent every Christmas at her beloved Nana's house building the traditions of fun and joy with her family. Sam is facing the first Christmas without Nana and still struggling to find the Christmas spirit when she gets a surprise.
The film is cute but not one you will ever want to see again. The cast is good and the locations are attractive.
Time to write a Christmas themed book!
kz917-112 August 2019
Is it just me or are several of the Hallmark main characters daft?
The lead is tasked with writing a Christmas themed book. Her Grandmother used to tell her Christmas themed stories as part of the family tradition.
Lead is blocked and perplexed about what she could possibly write a book about..
I mean DUH!
It would be great if at some point they could give the characters some brain power.
Brain power aside, the movie was enjoyable. Just check reality at the door.
The lead is tasked with writing a Christmas themed book. Her Grandmother used to tell her Christmas themed stories as part of the family tradition.
Lead is blocked and perplexed about what she could possibly write a book about..
I mean DUH!
It would be great if at some point they could give the characters some brain power.
Brain power aside, the movie was enjoyable. Just check reality at the door.
Quite good !
adeans-6311929 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Overall I enjoyed this film, a nice happy Christmas, easy-to-watch experience. Though I feel the script-writers coud've shown Samantha in a more understanding role, she came across a tad self-centred when trying to keep the 'No wedding' secret from everyone, especially when she basically grabbed Simon's phone from him when he was struggling to think of a decent cover/lie to tell his parents ! The casting of Claire & Bill was excellent as the parents who, ok they'd drifted apart, but very obviously still had a lot of love for each other - my slight 'beef' with their situation is, although to me it's obvious a reconciliation's on the cards for them, it would've been perfect if they'd actually gone ahead with it in the film but maybe the writers thought that was too 'perfect' ??
Reunited at Christmas
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 July 2019
Good film
Christmas-Reviewer1 August 2019
I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films, & Christmas Television Movies , & Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever produced. Since 2014 I average 100 per year.
Samantha Murphy's beloved grandmother plots from beyond the grave to bring the family together for one more hometown Christmas, during which everyone is reminded of the importance of family, love and second chances. When Samantha's boyfriend, Simon, proposes marriage and she accepts in front of her entire family, Simon is forced to play out an uncomfortable charade when Samantha admits she spoke too soon.
This film is very charming. Its above average. The story is cute and the producers delivered a worthwhile film.
Samantha Murphy's beloved grandmother plots from beyond the grave to bring the family together for one more hometown Christmas, during which everyone is reminded of the importance of family, love and second chances. When Samantha's boyfriend, Simon, proposes marriage and she accepts in front of her entire family, Simon is forced to play out an uncomfortable charade when Samantha admits she spoke too soon.
This film is very charming. Its above average. The story is cute and the producers delivered a worthwhile film.
Many characters share the stage
MickyG3333 January 2023
7.0 stars.
A story of a woman who has recently lost a grandmother and prior fiancé who left her some years ago, and her parents divorced about 6 years in the past. Will she be able to overcome the grief and pain she has endured and be open to a new proposal of marriage?
We have a primary lead character with Samantha (Deloach), however there are four semi-leads as well. The new fiancé Simon along with Samantha's dad Bill, mother Claire, and sister Annie. If I had to guess, Simon gets just a little more screen time than Bill, and Annie starts off strong, but her time diminishes as the story goes. Claire comes in last place. It's close, but it feels like Bill gets a lot of attention as the still grieving father. Claire does not show much regret now six years divorced from Bill. Annie seems blissfully ignorant of everything, maybe because she is happily married. Our lead Samantha, however, is a very troubled individual who has taken the losses very hard. This is the standard for Hallmark leading characters, who are generally deeply bruised people whose love is equally as intense as their pain. Strange how all of the supporting cast are always happy in these films, but the leads are the most depressed and sad ones. The leads also have the most rewarding love, but it never seems to last. Funny, now that I think about it, the lead characters are the most realistic ones, always getting divorced, and rarely happy people. A true slice of life?
Near the end of the story everything is about to crumble for Samantha and Simon, and it's her mother Claire's pep talk that opens her eyes to the possibilities of love. This was a beautiful moment. The ending wraps everything up very nicely with the gifts from grandma and the memories, the secret recipe and the family heirloom - a tree topper star handed down through the generations.
This movie is slightly above average, due to decent chemistry all around, and great acting. The entertainment value is average, and there is no x-factor per se, but I might re-watch this in 5-10 years.
A story of a woman who has recently lost a grandmother and prior fiancé who left her some years ago, and her parents divorced about 6 years in the past. Will she be able to overcome the grief and pain she has endured and be open to a new proposal of marriage?
We have a primary lead character with Samantha (Deloach), however there are four semi-leads as well. The new fiancé Simon along with Samantha's dad Bill, mother Claire, and sister Annie. If I had to guess, Simon gets just a little more screen time than Bill, and Annie starts off strong, but her time diminishes as the story goes. Claire comes in last place. It's close, but it feels like Bill gets a lot of attention as the still grieving father. Claire does not show much regret now six years divorced from Bill. Annie seems blissfully ignorant of everything, maybe because she is happily married. Our lead Samantha, however, is a very troubled individual who has taken the losses very hard. This is the standard for Hallmark leading characters, who are generally deeply bruised people whose love is equally as intense as their pain. Strange how all of the supporting cast are always happy in these films, but the leads are the most depressed and sad ones. The leads also have the most rewarding love, but it never seems to last. Funny, now that I think about it, the lead characters are the most realistic ones, always getting divorced, and rarely happy people. A true slice of life?
Near the end of the story everything is about to crumble for Samantha and Simon, and it's her mother Claire's pep talk that opens her eyes to the possibilities of love. This was a beautiful moment. The ending wraps everything up very nicely with the gifts from grandma and the memories, the secret recipe and the family heirloom - a tree topper star handed down through the generations.
This movie is slightly above average, due to decent chemistry all around, and great acting. The entertainment value is average, and there is no x-factor per se, but I might re-watch this in 5-10 years.
Better Than Ambien
Anonnamus7 January 2019
Totally straying from the typical Hallmark formula, this movie had potential to be a refreshing change viewers sometimes need from the "love at first sight" predictability of holiday films. Perhaps with a better script this could have worked. The two leads had zero chemistry...as a matter of fact, if I were told that they hadn't even met before they started filming their scenes together, I would not be surprised. All their scenes felt like an acted out first read-through. So very boring, though I did enjoy the actual storyline. I wouldn't recommend this one unless you run out of any other holiday films.
Good, enjoyable movie
toncincin27 November 2018
This is not the typical Hallmark Christmas movie...and it was good! No lost love found. No okd boyfriend. No one running away from a deadend job to find love. No fake royalty. No dad with a child who lost his/her mother. It's a wonderful movie about family. It's a movie about dealing with self-doubt. It's a movie about love - family, fiance, mother, father, sister, and grandmother. Yes-it has the typical Hallmark happy ending. I wish Hallmark would do more "family" movies and not concentrate so mych on finding long lost love by going to a small town...
So so
majoq8 December 2018
It was fun and entertaining. But that was it. Nothing more.
There´s a part, at the end of the movie in which Sam tells Simon that she knew they will have bad times or something like that and I rememberd a quote from another movie: Runaway bride with Julia Roberts, only the latter was much better.
Hmmm perhaps that was unintentional or not. Who knows?
Also the change of mind whas sooo quick!!! One minute she didn´t want to marry Simon, the other she goes after him.
Not the normal sappy Hallmark movie
dempsey-086606 December 2018
Disappointed.
puyallupr-4941322 November 2018
Not a "Hallmark" movie. Spent two hours with people dealing with sadness, depression, and lies. There is too much of that out there in "the real world." Come to Hallmark to escape that, at least for a short period of time.
Not into this one
smason-718889 November 2019
It's all about family.
MIssM1921 December 2018
I happen to disagree with most of the reviews. I thought this was amazing. Not your typical Hallmark movie, in which the leads kind-of date the whole movie (they just don't know it) and kiss at the end. In this one, they have been dating for a year and go to Sam's house (Nikki Deloach) after her decesead grandmother reunited the entire family after a long time.
I thought the chemistry was amazing. The relationship between the siblings and the whole family was probably my favorite part. Yes, there was very little plot, and it was kind of stupid, but I really enjoyed it. Nikki Deloach is always a pleasure to watch in these movies.
And after than ending this is basically yelling for a sequel, which I would watch.
I thought the chemistry was amazing. The relationship between the siblings and the whole family was probably my favorite part. Yes, there was very little plot, and it was kind of stupid, but I really enjoyed it. Nikki Deloach is always a pleasure to watch in these movies.
And after than ending this is basically yelling for a sequel, which I would watch.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
