Christmas Connection (TV Movie 2017)

Christmas Connection: Directed by Steven R. Monroe. With Brooke Burns, Tom Everett Scott, Sophie Neudorf, Micheline Marchildon. Flight attendant Sydney (Brooke Burns) is tasked with looking after Leah, an eight-year-old unaccompanied minor flying back to Chicago after visiting family. Sydney is charmed by the little girl and makes an instant connection with her. After Leah is safely delivered to her father, Jonathan (Tom Everett Scott), Sydney finds a package Leah left behind. Sydney delivers the gift back to Leah and gets invited to join in some fun, family Christmas festivities. When Sydney misses her connection, she is stuck for a few days. Grounded from her jet-setting ways, Sydney bumps into Leah and Jonathan who invite her spend the holidays with them – showing Sydney the value of a staying put long enough to fall in love.

“Throughout my whole Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest undertaken namely late last year through to early this year, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmarku0026#39;s output. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with most of Hallmarku0026#39;s output but not all.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;Christmas Connectionu0026#39; as far as Hallmarku0026#39;s Christmas films go fares quite well and is definitely worth watching and remembering. It is not flawless or a classic, but have come overtime to not expect any of those things watching a Hallmark Christmas film and have always tried to not judge them too seriously. As far as Hallmarku0026#39;s 2017 Christmas output goes, u0026#39;Christmas Connectionu0026#39; is among the better ones of a variable in quality batch.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is a bit slow to begin with, the set up taking a little too long.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSome of the dialogue early on is pretty ropey too, the cheese really stinking up the room and the pacing is very draggy. The music could have been toned down too tonally and in placement, too constant and too loud.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHowever, it is worth sticking with u0026#39;Christmas Connectionu0026#39; if in any initial doubt as to me it did get a lot better. The production values still manage to be pleasing. Itu0026#39;s not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didnu0026#39;t seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Some of the music has some pleasant nostalgic moments. The dialogue is not great to begin with but improves when the plot properly kicks in, not being too sweet and it flows at least.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFurthermore, the story is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory despite being familiar territory in tropes and thematically. The characters were on the most part ones easy to get behind and carry the film well. The acting is well above average, with the two leads being very endearing and having a very natural chemistry together. Sophie Neudorf is a likeable presence too.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eConcluding, worthwhile and worth remembering if not quite a must watch. 7/10”