The Christmas Train (2017)

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.

This was billed continuously leading up to the premiere as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. It wasn't Hall of Fame worthy for me.Take how deeply I felt about it. I have watched literally dozens of Christmas movies this season and in a good percentage, still dozens of movies, I had tears in my eyes ranging from in one movie tears start to finish to other movies at least a couple times, and everywhere in between. For this movie, I had no tears, at all. Neither joy nor sadness.Take enjoyment. I sat through virtually the entire movie waiting to enjoy it. I think a big part of my problem was I couldn't get invested in the romantic leads. Is that because of their respective ages? I think it was more than that. Now I was attracted to Kimberly Williams-Paisley and her character, but not enough to make the whole movie fun for me.Take production and sets. There were lots of shots of model toy trains in the snow. One scene with everyone staring out the window at the leads had a totally cheesy appearance. All the outdoor sets were bad and the snow was fake.Take acting. OK here at least are a couple pluses. Danny Glover and Joan Cusack both did their parts very well. I already mentioned Williams-Paisley, but overall her acting was just OK. Dermot Mulroney lacked spark.Take story. This is the biggest plus. For being a story on a train, there was a surprising amount going on. And the ending was truly interesting!!! On the other hand, the climax wasn't that great and the rest after that was not all that inspiring. Yes, it was the usual Hallmark kind of ending, but not with as much impact as I'd expect.Was this movie watchable. Yes, I think so. I was just expecting so much more due to the buildup. The true measure is will I watch it again. I don't think so.

The Christmas Train was one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies this year. I loved all the actors, the heartwarming stories, the snow storm and the mystery thief. I gave it a 5 because of the "unmagical" ending.I had this magical feeling. Everyone was happy and Christmas miracles were everywhere. Then the shock that all the stories were planned by the editor on the train...the young couple getting married, the chance meeting of the journalists and the list goes on and on. All fake. That took the joy away from the entire movie and ruined it for me. The magic was gone after that. I asked my relatives what they thought and they all said the same thing. The ending should have finalized without the finding of the script and the planned outcome. The ending provided no Christmas miracles or joy. A calculated, unmagical ending does not fit the Christmas season.

This was the biggest dog of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie premier I've ever seen. The dialogue was abominable - stilted and totally unconvincing. Danny Glover as Max whispered and rasped his lines (probably because he has an old voice). Joan Cusack's "acting" was comprised solely of screwing up her mouth in order to show a range of emotion: confusion, sadness, empathy, you name it. It was very unattractive and distracting. The plot was totally unbelievable, including a scene in Chicago where Tom and Eleanor go dancing (and swilling champagne) at a reception where everyone except them is in evening wear - they never would have made it through the front door! Ridiculous. I couldn't even suspend belief and enjoy this mess, although I watched til the bitter end. Don't blame me if you watch this movie and are sorely disappointed!