Family friends Sam and Kat spend every Christmas Eve at the Children's Table. They grow up together, sharing the highs and lows of young adulthood. And at thirty, Sam realizes that Kat is the one... but he's afraid that the past will get in the way.
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This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
How sad is this?
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Blistering performances.
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 had really high hopes for this movie because I love Christmas and I love Danica. She was amazing in it but this movie was a mess. I have never seen so many scenes in a movie before...which all managed to accomplish nothing.I am usually a sucker for flashbacks but I found this movie daunting and boring and I honestly kept pausing to see how much more I had to get through before it was over.I think having them see each other only one day a year was a really bad call. Like...they seriously didn't speak at ALL throughout the year for those 30 years? Come on...who would put up with that nonsense? And that argument they had over the phone was beautifully acted by both of them but painful to watch because it really made no sense. Even if there was some truth to what he said, that was one of the cruelest exchanges I have ever witnessed in a romantic movie. Needless theatrics and crowbarred drama.The only scenes I felt had any merit were when EB was describing Great Expectations to Kat and comparing both their lives to it. I thought that was very beautiful and poetic. Though it raised even more confusing questions about her father's past with this woman. So like...was Kat's Mom aware that EB was in love with her husband? And was EB happy when Kat's mother died? Very confusing, weird stuff. I understand and agree with EB that Kat should not waste her life waiting around for Sam...but she then proceeds to waste the next ten years of her life before he proposes.I also enjoyed the fact that they were happier in the company of children rather than the boring adults and that they enjoyed sitting at the children's table. That is what pulled me in with the title but it really just didn't deliver.The scene where they shared the coat was very humorous and cute and was one of the only times where I felt any spark between them. It was no fault of the actors, I just personally disliked both of their characters. It also would have been nice if they had explained this "Best Life" game that came up so much throughout the movie.This is definitely worth a watch if you have some time to kill, but if your free time is precious and scarce, do not waste it on this. It is also not worth buying, try to catch it on Hulu or Netflix.
Love is chemistry. You love or not some person. If ordinary people act like this the humanity would be lost for good. You love someone and year after year you missed your chances to say 3 words - I love you??? Please, in real world, you got one maybe two chances to say that to person you love and to find out what she or he thinks about it. 3 chances if you are very very lucky. In real world, when you miss your chance, you get punished. Your Love is in relationship (or marriage) with someone else, with 1,2,3,4 kids around. Your Love is lost forever. But in some movies like this, miracles are possible. Damica was great and charismatic like always. Great job Danica. The other crew were quite OK. This movie is not master piece but is worth for looking in pair by romantic odor candles and romantic ambient around. I wish that I saw how young and handsome man is fighting for his one and only true love. Maybe I missed something here. Salut for everyone! :)
78This movie follows Sam and Kat, who have celebrated their Christmas Eves at the same lady's house since they were children. The movie flashes back and starts at a Christmas Eve from when they were very young, then a few years later, and so on until they are 30. The flashbacks are very fast-paced and it is hard to grasp the relationship that Sam and Kat have together. Is it cousin-ish? Brotherly/sisterly? Neighborly? Appears to be brotherly/sisterly, but I was contradicted, obviously by the title of the movie.Throughout the movie, Sam and Kat always sit at the kids table, even when they are adults. They play this confusing game with the children called "Best Life." It would have been nice to understand the game because it took up much of the movie time and would have been comedic if I knew what they heck they were talking about while playing it. The dance scene in the movie was extremely entertaining and I loved the old song they danced to, but it was very random and made no sense for the plot.Sam lost a lot of sympathy for me when he and Kat got into an argument, via telephone, while he looked at her through her bedroom window and she looked at him on her front lawn. He mocked her feelings for her widowed father and dead mom, then said that she lives her life for the day she dies and get buried next to her mother's grave.... Why on earth would the writers write that into the movie? Geezes, that was mean.I gave this movie 6/10 because I would watch it again next Christmas. It is a simple, relaxing movie that is a good time-waster. It also has a nostalgic feel to it because it takes place at the same house with the same people and you feel that you are a part of the 'family.'