Our First Christmas

Made-for-TV (Hallmark Channel) production, one of about a hundred in the past decade alone. So many have lost their way, using Christmas in name only when the story itself has so little to do with Christmas. Here we get a different treat, a 1 in 10 movie that actually works. Despite taking place in Southern California, it's quite Christmasy throughout. The holiday spirit is the background for this. Unfortunately another background exists -- the orchestral score which is so in your ears at times that it's distracting. Why add that in so heavily? It's like they don't want to rely on strength of script to carry the film. Strip the score away and you get drama. Add it in you get schmaltz. Score aside, this is pretty good. Dixie Carter and John Ratzenberger are such a joy here! Anything with Cliff from Cheers is definitely worth seeing! Such a good and warm actor! The end result works and is sure to pull at the heartstrings the way a good Christmas movie should! Worth seeing!

6.4 / 10

--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener