Taking on some time travel, this TV film features a (mostly) fresh face (to Hallmark) cast and some interesting elements. Again, like most of these, it’s not a new concept, however for the most part, I do think this one is fun.
Next Stop, Christmas (2021) Hallmark TV Film Review
Working is what keeps Dr. Angie Reynolds (Lyndsy Fonseca) thriving. It also keeps her from going home this year for Christmas. This year, she just wants a quiet and quick break on her brief time off call from the hospital. When she goes to buy her train ticket, she very nearly misses her train only to receive a very special ticket. Turns out the ticket takes her back in time, ten years prior, to the Christmas season when she brought her serious boyfriend Tyler (Eric Freeman) home for Christmas.
The conductor (Christopher Lloyd) informs her that in order to reclaim her present, she must “set things right” in the past. Only question for Angie to answer is, what does that mean?
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I’m not the biggest fan of time travel stories. They aren’t my cup of tea usually because unless I’m purposely watching some type of fantasy story, I like my contemporary films to be, well, more realistic than not. That said, this one is charming. Partially this is due to the cast whom I actually do like. Additionally there is Lea Thompson and Chandler Massey plus the Back to the Future star Lloyd. Then, it’s such a pleasure to see Lyndsy Fonseca in something after Nikita which I did like! Plus she does co-star in the short-lived ABC show Agent Carter.
The plot is pretty dang fun if that’s what you’re looking for. There’s family ties (not all of which are at their happiest) and of course, lessons to impart. There’s some hints of romance here and there, and an eventual ending that’s really, quite sweet. Plus, this ending (which I saw in another time travel movie) brings everything full circle to tie up a story with a neat bow. As that is primarily what any Christmas movie goer wants, I suspect Next Stop, Christmas will be (or is?) a favorite.
Content: nothing to note as it’s the old school standard of Hallmark’s TV-G rating.
Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media Press
This has been one of my favorites so far this year!
SAME. And I didn’t think I’d like it. However I have *finally* seen one that takes my “top spot” (so far). Definitely one I’ll be sharing this week. :) Thanks, as always, for being here, Brittaney.
I liked this one too! I was happy to find the actress in a Hallmark romcom, which is different from the more serious role she had in Nikita (which I really liked too). I did wish the ending of her romantic relationship was different. I don’t like thinking there was a gap that is essentially downloaded to the character’s mind in the end. That’s always weird. Overall, it’s a quirky, sweet Christmas romance.
I loved Nikita and honestly, I still haven’t finished it yet. I watched it for a while before getting hooked on something else. Bummer. Sorry you didn’t love the end. I saw someone on Instagram say the same. :/ That always makes the experience a let down. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Chanel! Always love knowing what everyone else thinks.