Every ounce of joy and energy is sapped from this deeply substandard TV movie. It's fifteen minutes of script hyperextended into a feature-length TV movie, each scene a molasses trickle. It feels like a Hallmark movie that was left out in the sun to bleach and dry up. The actors take deep breaths between each line of dialog and repeat plot points (scant as they are) over and over. The two leads are obviously under heavy sedation. The main character's aunt reads every line as catty. Even the actors' hairstyles (or wigs?) are strange. The acclaimed local cafe serves what appear to be Hungry Man turkey frozen dinners with a side of cocoa. The father and son at the heart of the story seem to be estranged at the start of the film for reasons never explained and evidently instantly resolved. WHAT EVEN IS THIS.

Something must be wrong with me as I actually enjoyed this movie. I guess it's because it doesn't follow the typical holiday movie scenario of beautifully decorated homes, baking cookies, Christmas tree lighting in the town square etc., etc. I'm so bored with all of that. I liked these characters and that's where a lot if my enjoyment comes from.

Definitely low budget, phony snow. Didn't believe it was Alaska in December. Little things by a good director could have helped. If I was tired, hungry & cold, I wouldn't let a cup of hot cocoa sit and get cold; ditto the plate of food in front of me. Take a sip or a bite. If you stand up during a serious conversation, don't just stand behind your chair. Why get up? It was also odd how serious things like the aunt stumbling, hitting her head & being out cold was waved away with "Are you okay?"; "I'm fine." Besides a head bandage, no mention of a possible concussion. The hotel clerk was a lousy employee, ignoring waiting customers & later asking them why'd they bother going into town. A Script Doctor was very much needed!