Love at the Christmas Table

This is one of the most unique Christmas romance stories I have seen. Things happen near and at the end that I sure didn't see coming. The entire movie is refreshing. The entire movie is a continuing flashback that takes place on several Christmas eves spanning most of the main characters' lives.

Sometimes the story doesn't advance a lot, but it is still entertaining with witty dialogue and other things. One of those is a beautiful dance sequence that is not so much about talented dancers as it is about the beauty and the romance of the dance which includes many of the cast.

Danica McKellar is known for Wonder Years but also for Christmas movies. This is possibly her best. The romance between her character, Kat, and Dustin Milligan's Sam is tangible. Supporting performances are also good.

I had a hard time with the timeline because I couldn't understand why two people so in love would have gone so long. I especially can't see how 5 years could have elapsed (as mentioned when Kat first sees Sam) and still led to what follows. An attempt is made to explain at least the former about 3/4ths of the way through the movie but I think the movie would have made a lot more sense if that had been plainer earlier on. Nevertheless, I don't deduct for that because the story is otherwise so charming and unique.

While I don't see Hallmark's signature on this, it fits their nature perfectly. For some people this will be too sappy and idealistic, but that's what these movies are and this one is done so well.

I'm not actually writing a review. I love this movie. It's like a better version of a Hallmark holiday movie.

But someone in a review from 2019 said it wasn't believable that Sam quit his newspaper job to become a logger. That's because it's not. He quit to become a BLOGGER, with a B. He decided to get a remote writing job. (My last job was as a remote blogger - often now referred to as a content marketer - ghost writing blogs for SaaS companies.) Anyway I find that part very believable because I worked in journalism and left to do marketing writing in 2013 because journalism pays terribly and marketing pays pretty well in comparison.

I can see the complaints about this being boring, but I find the uniqueness of this movie to be worth it. Basically via flashback we see Kat and Sam who have known each other since childhood. Their fathers went into business together so, every Christmas their families get together for a party and typically Kat and Sam gather around the table. Just about every year it is our time to check in with them and we see how their lives were going via conversation at the party. Mostly because of this we are spared from the Christmas movie with no plot. Unfortunately about 30 minutes of this move is stall and is boring. Also I like Danica but she is out acted here by her co star and it shows. There were some pretty good zags at the end but it just made me wish they had cut significant parts and extended those scenes. But it is definitely a good flick that will keep you happy but just watch with the remote handy to fast forward.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

For thirty years, Sam and Katherine have spent Christmas Eve at the Children's Table. When Sam learns she is moving away, he has one night to tell her he loves her.

I was hesitant to watch this film. I saw 2-3 episodes of "The Wonder Years" and hated every minute of it. To this day when I see Fred Savage has directed or is in a film I avoid it.

Well this film does not have Fred Savages but it has his former co- star Danica McKellar. Thank God. If he was I might not of discovered this film.

Now this story is so cute and entertaining, It captures "Christmas" perfectly!

When Samn (Dustin Milligan) realizes that his best friend (Danica McKellar) since childhood is the woman that he loves you can't help but to smile!

This film does work because the entire cast is believable in the part they play. The film is never boring. You root for love in this. You might even shed a few happy tears along the way.

Not to be missed.

If you meant your soul mate early but put off the big ring event, and then spent a long time chasing your dreams, while still staying in touch with your soul mate, you will really like this movie.

If you spent a long time waiting for the right person to come along, refusing the advances of numerous decent mate selections in hopes of finding the 'right' person, and eventually did, you will like this movie

If you have made secret and very long sacrifices for some one you love, with them being oblivious to the fact, and finally was acknowledged for your silent sacrifice, you will like this movie.

If you jumped quickly into a marriage, and either gutted it out or eventually moved on to another and so on, you will not understand this movie

If you have had the fortune of having quick success and things pretty much fell your way in the relationship/ work world, you will not really relate to this movie

If you have not spent a lot of time trying to accomplish something, while putting off relationships, this movie will not be for you

If you have never waited a long time for a relationship to come to fruition, one of the messages in this movie will be lost on you

In summary, this is one of the most unique romance movies I've seen, and thats coming from one of those guys that groans through most chick flicks

I tossed it a ten for the uniqueness of the script, some people watching it just didn't get parts of the movie. My wife and I understood everything in it, and the undercurrent messages. From a lot of comments I have read on the movie, many of the subtle nuances of the movie go over the head of some viewers.