7.2 stars.
This is the simple story of two families that were very close many years ago, but fell apart due to misunderstandings and hurt feelings between the fathers who had been best friends.
The result is that both dads have been gaslighting and berating each other the past couple decades. This story is a tragedy from the start. The wives and children don't hold the same bitter feelings, but they primarily keep their distance in order to placate the patriarchs.
As usual Taylor Cole (Grace) is radiant and bright, she's what makes the spirits bright in this film. Carlo Marks is great too, haven't seen him as a leading male yet, now exactly 42 movies into my Hallmark Christmas binge.
And there's more gaslighting, Grace's "best" friend has been gaslighting her for several months now, and when Grace points it out, of course it falls on deaf ears, and sorta blows up in her face.
SOAP BOX ALERT:
I can relate so well to this insidious form of bullying. This aspect of the film touches my heart in a familiar, real, and painful way. In my opinion, gaslighting disguises itself, and subtly becomes an accepted form of persecution. Machiavellian to it's core, it's more politically correct, difficult to define, more challenging to identify.
For the edification of the younglings in the audience, I suggest you parents allow your children to watch this and point out to them the injurious effects of this behavior.
This is the simple story of two families that were very close many years ago, but fell apart due to misunderstandings and hurt feelings between the fathers who had been best friends.
The result is that both dads have been gaslighting and berating each other the past couple decades. This story is a tragedy from the start. The wives and children don't hold the same bitter feelings, but they primarily keep their distance in order to placate the patriarchs.
As usual Taylor Cole (Grace) is radiant and bright, she's what makes the spirits bright in this film. Carlo Marks is great too, haven't seen him as a leading male yet, now exactly 42 movies into my Hallmark Christmas binge.
And there's more gaslighting, Grace's "best" friend has been gaslighting her for several months now, and when Grace points it out, of course it falls on deaf ears, and sorta blows up in her face.
SOAP BOX ALERT:
I can relate so well to this insidious form of bullying. This aspect of the film touches my heart in a familiar, real, and painful way. In my opinion, gaslighting disguises itself, and subtly becomes an accepted form of persecution. Machiavellian to it's core, it's more politically correct, difficult to define, more challenging to identify.
For the edification of the younglings in the audience, I suggest you parents allow your children to watch this and point out to them the injurious effects of this behavior.