shobbs-86081 Review of We Need A Little Christmas

We Need A Little Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Well-written, acted, and full Hallmark charm

[9/10 · 16 November 2022]

When I saw the initial fan rating of 6.6, I didn't expect this movie to move me as powerfully as it did. Yes, I had to wipe my eyes a couple of times as the wrenching family dramas and pains grew poignant, but it wasn't excessive and I never felt that Hallmark was just manipulating the situation to make me cry. What impressed me the most was how congruent and consistent the acting and writing was throughout the movie. Usually, I can spot a couple of fake moments or times when a character doesn't seem to really believe what they're doing or saying, and there were none of those incidents in this one. My biggest fear about 3/4 of the way through came when the female lead decides to try to help her neighbor's grandson come home from 2000 miles away when there was no way he could make it to the Christmas Eve dinner. Sometimes we get over-the-top military "pull" that someone figures out to accomplish this miracle, but this time, a little-too-easy solution of a cargo transport has room to load the military doctor to get to a domestic flight that sort of arrives just in the nick of time for our expected happy ending. The movie was a 10 until we played that final card but it was done well-enough that I loved the overall effect and wish to watch it again and again. Thanks Hallmark!