The Christmas Train (2017)

A cynical journalist decides to take a train from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles for Christmas to get inspiration for a story in honor of his late father. He gets to know the other passengers and runs into an old flame while aboard.

Director:

Ron Oliver

Writers:

Neal H. Dobrofsky (teleplay) (as Neal Dobrofsky), Tippi Dobrofsky (teleplay)

Stars:

Dermot Mulroney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Danny Glover

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dermot Mulroney	...	Tom Langdon
Kimberly Williams-Paisley	...	Eleanor Carter
Danny Glover	...	Max Powers
Joan Cusack	...	Agnes
Holly Elissa	...	Lelia
Kirsten Zien	...	Julie
Anthony Konechny	...	Steve
Jill Teed	...	Roxanne
Karen Holness	...	Misty
Terence Kelly	...	Higgins
John Innes	...	John Kelly
Nelson Wong	...	Kenny
Jesse Stanley	...	Regina
Eric Gustafsson	...	Davey
Douglas Roy Dack	...	Cabbie (as Douglas Dack)

Storyline

A writer takes a four day trip on a train hoping to get ideas for a book he's writing in memory of his father. His true love happens to be on the train writing a script. They bond with different people along the way. It's obvious the two are still in love.

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Plot Keywords:

father | tv movie | christmas movie | four day time span | journalist | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Karen Holness and Danny Glover starred in Donovan's Echo (2011).

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Goofs

When the train stops in La Junta, Colorado, they can clearly see Pikes Peak from the train station platform. But anybody who has ever actually been to La Junta knows that you can barely see ANY of the Rocky Mountains from that small town in the southeastern portion of the state, which is flat as a board.

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Connections

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

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Soundtracks

Christmas Train
Written and Performed by Dermot Mulroney

User Reviews

The Stars and the Setting Put this One Over

A lower tier Hall of Fame caliber movie, but Hall of Fame worthy none the less. The cast was strong and the main actors well known and respected. Dermot Mulroney and Kimberly Williams Paisley made an attractive and likable couple. I personally find Danny Glover incredibly annoying, but I love Joan Cusack and enjoyed her role in this movie. The setting on the train to California? I loved it, but I'm prejudiced. I was lucky enough as a teen to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles on the El Capitan and The City of Los Angeles and back again during the Christmas Season. The plot was OK and benefited from being based on a David Baldacci book. The twist at the end really saved the story, though. After reading another reviewers comparison to the book, I really am considering reading the book upon which this was based.

Reviewing Hallmark Christmas movies are kind of a stupid hobby of mine, and I like to review the dreadful ones and the enjoyable ones or if I think I have something valuable to point out. I am jotting down a little review of this one because it's a cut above the usual.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 November 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Christmas Train

Filming Locations:

Pacific Central Station - 1150 Station Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Front Street Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD