HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS

(director: Paula Elle; screenwriters: Kevin Commings, Robin Dunne; editor: Mauri Bernstein; music: Hamish Thomson; cast: Candace Cameron Bure (Sophie Marlow), Cameron Mathison (Sam), David Kaye (Chris), Hilary Jardine (Erin), Alison Wandzura (Layla), Robel Zere (Gordon), Claudia Absi (News Host); Runtime: 90; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Mike MacKay; Candy Rock Entertainment/Great American Media; 2024)

“Uplifting and sentimental faith-based holiday romance film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Paula Elle (“Just in Time”) directs and Kevin Commings and Robin Dunne write the screenplay for this uplifting and sentimental faith-based holiday romance film. I saw it on the Great American Media cable station. 

Sophie Marlow (Candace Cameron Bure) is a successful mergers and acquisitions lawyer. She receives a call from a lawyer (Hilary Jardine) that her great Uncle Henry passed away and left her 60% ownership in his Marlow Maple Meadows, a sugar maple forest even though she hasn’t been there for decades. She returns to her hometown of Waynesbridge, Washington to sign the legal papers. There she meets up with Sam (Cameron Mathison), her childhood friend who inherited 40% of the property. Sam taught at Cal University and has won prizes writing screenplays for movies, and also helped Henry by working at the Marlow Maple Meadows.

Sophie is a workaholic who never married, while Sam was married for four years before having an amicable divorce when realizing the two weren’t right for each other.

Sophie is overcome with feelings for her hometown, her new property and for Sam. What she will do becomes the conundrum she faces. The question comes if she will sell the place and return with her lawyer partner, or will she stay on and manage the place with Sam.

It’s a simple story that’s finely directed, well-acted and well-crafted. It targets a faith-based audience that will appreciate this decent holiday film.

REVIEWED ON 12/20/2024  GRADE: B-
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