User reviews

The leads in this Christmas romance are watchable. Always liked Brooke Burns who shows she can do romantic comedy as well as Lifetime drama. Tom Everett Scott has a kind look. So the 2 make a more mature and dignified looking couple than the usual silly and annoyingly perky holiday Hallmark movie.

A nice flight attendant keeps watch over an unaccompanied minor and ends up stuck in Chicago over the holidays. Of course she meets and falls for the single father of the kid. The father is a reporter who unearths some story about how her parents met in the city years ago.

Worth one watch.

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 Hallmark'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 Hallmark's output but not all.

'Christmas Connection' as far as Hallmark'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 Hallmark's 2017 Christmas output goes, 'Christmas Connection' is among the better ones of a variable in quality batch.

It is a bit slow to begin with, the set up taking a little too long.

Some 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.

However, it is worth sticking with 'Christmas Connection' if in any initial doubt as to me it did get a lot better. The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn'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.

Furthermore, 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.

Concluding, worthwhile and worth remembering if not quite a must watch. 7/10

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review

In this film Flight attendant Sydney is tasked with looking after Leah, an unaccompanied minor. After Leah is safely delivered to her father, Jonathan, Sydney finds a package Leah left behind and delivers it to Leah. She missed her connection, and Jonathan invites her to spend the holidays with them.

Sydney also happens to be a nice person. She is not the "Career Woman" mean girl that many movies seem to portray. Here this woman really hasn't thought about family she is not against them at all. She just happens to think she wants something else.

Now there is 2 stories running concurrently. They both nice stories and the Christmas setting makes this film shine.

The story is what you expect from "Hallmark". What is nice however this film in reality is a tribute to love. Both past and present. It also about love you have for your family and enjoying your family.

I really liked this one. I will see it again.

Beautifully written & acted drama from the Christmas Romance genre with perfectly cast leads - Brooke Burns is a real delight as the warm-hearted flight attendant who is unexpectedly involved with a father and his young daughter over the yuletide.

Superb dialogue and a wonderful touching moment towards the end brought a tear to my eye...and I'm not one for schmaltz at all.

The subplot re her parents fledgling romance many moons ago is a delightful and ingenious touch.

Similar themes & plot (ish) as The Christmas Getaway but both work very well on their own merits...I recommend both as they hit the spot where many of these movie miss by a long shot.

My two favourites so far this year - Christmas 2018.

Granted, the plot was weak, but it did provide the lead characters a chance to interact, throw in a cute young daughter, well you have what Hallmark strives for.

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas Connection.

Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.50/2 - Enjoyment: 1.50/2

Total 6.75/10

It would appear Christmas Connection is becoming another of my solid Xmas viewing favourites. Okay, so this is more down to the fact that I keep forgetting I've watched the movie before: But in my defence, I watch a load of films, and one reason for reviewing them is to keep track - I'm getting old. Anyway, my forgetfulness doesn't mean the picture is forgettable, just the title. Once the film starts and I see Brooke Burns in her flight attendant uniform, everything floods back. And I'm more than happy to rewatch this Christmas flick, as it possesses all the elements required to warm your heart in the season of love and joy. The story has sacrifice, giving, opening up, and taking chances. Are the dreams you've planned for yourself necessarily your best option? This realisation is what we witness blossom in Sydney when she escorts Leah, an Unaccompanied Minor, back home for Christmas. Unfortunately, her dad's running late. The knock-on effect is Sydney missing her plane to her dream Christmas Holiday location. But, hey, she can always catch a later flight, can't she? You know that's unlikely to happen because, hey, Christmas Romance Flick! The writers do a superb job of characterisations, which is just as well with the story being character-driven: Everyone is credible and well-constructed. And when the writers mount up the obstacles, you're relating to them and egging them on to make the right decision. Once you associate with a character in this manner, you're committed to the movie, which is excellent and makes the story more potent to the viewer. The direction is like the acting. Solid and above average. The director infuses a delightful atmosphere into every frame, working excellently to build a heart-warming atmosphere. And the actors and actresses also deliver superb performances. I always thought Brooke Burns was underrated, and Christmas Connection goes a long way to show how talented she is.

I'd joyfully recommend Christmas Connection to newbies and Christmas fans alike. It's a delightfully entertaining romance with a few pleasant thought-provoking moments - not life-changing ones, but more life-affirming. And should I forget I've watched this film again, I'll probably watch it once more next year.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

7.4 stars.

Slow starter, but cute all throughout. Gorgeous blond (Burns) flight attendant meets little girl unaccompanied minor (UM). Dad (Scott) is waiting for her in Chicago. Dad is of course a good looking man... circumstances dictate gorgeous blonde and dad must meet, so she accompanies them to their home for Christmas. Love begins.

This is a slowly built up romance, but the flirtation and the momentum continue at a perfectly steady pace. I was impressed by the timing. She twinkles, he smirks, light flirtation... harmless at first... everyone is trying to hint at them to continue with the courtship, speed it up, but we in the audience are saying "don't rush them, let this beautiful flower blossom on its own".

And as each special moment comes and goes, the attraction grows, and it's ever so gradual, like the melting snow in spring.

I remember Brooke Burns on Baywatch, and I've seen Tom Everett Scott in stuff. I don't particularly love either one of them as actors, however they have wonderful chemistry. She makes him a better man, and he grounds her (pun intended) with his family values and great parenting (wife is deceased). It results in a symbiotic relationship which makes her more family oriented and pulls him out of his safe place. We only need one more ingredient... a perfectly delightful little girl.

Slow starter, great in the middle, unrealistic and bland conclusion. Flimsy ending guys, come on now.

Throughout the movie, the actors hem and haw seemingly while trying to improvise their lines -- and they are all bad at it. The premise was good with an appealing cast; with sharp writing, it could have been a fine movie.

I give it 4 stars on merit with an additional 2 stars for the gorgeous Brooke Burns.

This movie has a story within a story. A reporter, Jonathan, and a flight attendant, Sydney, grow into a relationship while tracking down the story of her parents' meeting on Christmas day. The parents' story is enough of a mini-mystery to give a little suspense while the daughter and the reporter spend a lot of quality time together.

The reporter's daughter, Leah, adds a nice touch as she and Sydney develops affection for each other as well.

This is pretty good casting for Brooke Burns. Sophie Neudorf does a good job as Leah without going overboard in the cute department.

The story within this movie or should that be two stories are a good idea.

The first about how the flight attendant and the single dad meet and of course eventually fall for each other

Then there's the other story and I think the best of the two about the effort of the two leads researching where and how the lead actresses parents met and fell in love as well.

Now for my criticism. I thought that the first half of the movie was a bit too manic. Trying to cram too much into it at the start.

The male leads family were all a delight with the parents own story of how they met mentioned.

The best praise goes to the little actress who played Leah who kept the film going along nicely without being too sickly sweet or too obnoxious as some in other movies.

What idiot would thing that that background music should be louder than the talking. It was a great show if you could have heard it.

This has been happening in almost all the modern shows I have watched, I can not fathom why the producers allow this to happen. Music does not make a show, it can help enhance the mood, but most are now forcing use old people to watch reruns instead of the new ones.

This one was a delight from beginning to end. Starring Brooke Burns who I loved from The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008) and Fixing Pete (2011). Great to see her in a Christmas movie again. Loved Tom Everette Scott who played the lead actor and a widowed dad. He had the greatest presence with an unusual mannerism a little like Robin Williams. He's not the normal and this was tremendously effective with Brooke Burns. The little girl daughter and their interaction with her and Christmas made the movie effective. The story focused on these 3 main characters to its success. Loved how they did Christmas in this movie. The family gathered at different nights at family members houses to decorate a tree, make cookies, etc. The mystery of Brooke Burns character parents was well done and added depth to the movie. I agree with the Christmas Reviewer and want to see this one again next year. I only give about 1 in 10 movies a perfect 10 and that's after using IMDB to screen out the low rated ones. Well done. Well Done. Well Done.

First of all, this family was over the top. Too much Red Bull in the Egg Nog. I felt suffocated just watching them fuss all over the main character, Sydney. Too much toothy grinning. The more bearable moments were when Jonathan and Sydney were away from the family zoo. I've always like Tom Edward Scott, but he was kinda sappy, especially when mooning over Sydney getting the Rome gig. Are there ANY Hallmark actors who root for their girlfriends/wives getting what the women want? Or is it always about the men and their needs? The best part of this film was the subplot -- looking for how Sydney's parents met.

Let's face it, by the time December 23rd rolls around the average Hallmark viewer can repeat dialogue from a number of it's Christmas movies. We can guess the movie by the first couple movie frames. The decision is whether to watch or switch to some Christmas cookie competition on the food channel. I always decide to watch The Christmas Connection. Brooke Burns is believable as a flight attendant down to her smooth side bun and bright red lipstick. And then there's Tom Everett Scott and his easy going delivery. Great chemistry-decent double plot. And there's no prince in sight. It's repeat worthy!

The story line is cheesy enough for a Christmas themed romance filled with a widower named Jonathan's (Tom Everett Scott) family Christmas traditions such as decorating the Christmas tree and how his daughter Leah (Sophie Neudorf) is befriended by a pretty airline stewardess named Sydney (Brooke Burns) while Leah flies home unaccompanied to meet her dad at the airport where Sydney is introduced to Jonathan by the pixy Leah.

There is a nice little hidden story line that tries to keep the audiences' interest piqued which Sydney is trying to unravel which is how her own parents first met in Chicago and fell in love, got married and had Sydney. Jonathan has lost his wife and little Leah's mother, whilst Sydney has lost both her parents which is why it has been difficult for Sydney to solve the mystery how her parents first met and fell in love in Chicago.

Jonathan's an investigative reporter so he agrees to help the airline stewardess Sydney unwarp the mystery of how Sydney's parents first met in his hometown of Chicago all the while the three main characters are continually repeating the word "CHRISTMAS" which gets to be rather annoying after the word "Christmas" is repeated in every second sentence. Also annoying was that permanent and grossly wide and perfect white smile of Sydney's as if she was having the time of her life with this little girl Leah she was assigned to watch on the plane trip back to Chicago and to which Jonathan went goo goo eyed over when he first met her at the airport when he picked up his daughter Leah.

I only rated it a 4 out of 10 IMDB rating for three reasons: 1. The word "CHRISTMAS" was repeated ad nauseum 2. The Christmas themed music that was piped in continuously gets boring after about 15 minutes in to this made for TV Christmas themed film 3. Brooke Burns permanent wide and shiny white teeth brimming smile all the way through this film made me want to throw up as no one could be that happy just doing their daily job because she attended to an unaccompanied minor on a flight home?

A nice movie, characters are likable, but in many scenes the music is too loud and you can't hear the dialogue!

Too much grinning and cheesey chuckles n laugh in first 20 minutes. So fake.

Brook Burns is on fire in this movie. A walking masterpiece of womanly artwork. It is hard to believe that she would fall for this guy and his dopey family. She needs to be married to a real estate billionaire. It'a nice story and well done, but who cares.

Just awful. Cheesey, schmalzy, unbelievable for 2018. Could have been a great story using that long lost family idea. But it was wasted, appalling script, wooden acting and totally twee Christmas decorations. Just so bad. What are you thinking Hallmark, not only that no diversity of any kind. Not of this world. All that money spent making utter rubbish. Take stock. Read the scripts, employ writers who really can write!!! I'm sorry I am so sick of third rate films airing when with a little thought and maybe some balls to say no we would have some worthwhile films. Get a grip. There is too much rubbish already.

Music is so loud Iyou can't hear what's being said. It's like mumbling through the movie and despite having soundbar we can't get it to where we can hear the dialogue over most of the music.

Having been through this many times before I couldn't imagine going through it yet again. Can't hallmark do something original?