Blending Christmas/Big Family Christmas (2021) -
I appreciated the fact that this wasn't the same tired formula that these films usually use and I really liked the concept of bringing family together for Christmas, because I do feel that the world is forgetting how to celebrate the season and what it really means. I don't mean the Jesus bit, but how family is important and their love is as much to be received as returned.
Aaron O'Connell in the leading role of Liam looked better than he had in some of his previous films and I liked his character, he had a big heart, although he did need to call her out on her bullsh!t. He deserved better I think, because Haylie Duff's character, Emma was a sulky so and so, who got so huffy so quickly that I had to wonder if it was a full moon or something. I actually couldn't even see what she was getting so upset about to start with.
I was glad that they didn't try and hide the rest of the family for the whole weekend, which would have made it very silly and farcical and in general I did like the story and the way it was filmed. It was only really Emma that annoyed me. And despite being on the desert, it still managed to have Christmassy elements.
However, some of the supporting "Family" were not the best actors available and based on their singing, they definitely weren't the Osmond family.
Having looked it up though, it turned out that they were apparently the Brady Bunch! I only remember the more recent films, so I couldn't identify those featured, but I hoped that they had delivered a better performance in their TV show. Mike Lookinland as Andrew was really quite cringey and I wouldn't want to ever see his version of 'A Christmas Carol'.
It wasn't the worst Made For TV Christmas Film that I've ever seen and I would probably revisit it in the distant future, but I think that it could have been delivered with a bit more aplomb.
4.5/10.
