I wasn't expecting much. Cindy Busby in some of her last movies has been quite annoying. There was a little overacting in some parts. Chad Michael Murray's last movies that I watched were terrible. This movie either had a better writer, director or the actors just got better. The leads had chemistry. Even with some of the usual plots, it was handled as adults without the games and added 'drama'.
Toying with the Holidays
2021
Action / Comedy / Romance
Toying with the Holidays
2021
Action / Comedy / Romance
6.3Plot summary
Up for a promotion, Chicago-based designer, divorcee Danielle Prescott, is a workaholic in trying to eke out a better life for her adolescent son, Paul Prescott. For the first time in years, they are returning to her hometown of Holly Pines for Christmas - she regardless taking work with her - as in the intervening year her father Walter Prescott passed away, she not having had the opportunity to say her goodbyes to him last Christmas. As such, Danielle wants to hand down their family's Holly Pines Christmas traditions to Paul, including taking him to the town's Christmas Festival largely organized by her mother, Kate Prescott. Danielle is dismayed not only to learn that they will have do major fundraising just to hold Festival, but that what what Danielle considers its centerpiece, the miniature train ride, called the North Pole Express for which train enthusiast Walter always acted as conductor, long ceased to operate, no one even knowing what happened to the train itself. In discovering her father's electric toy trains which she wants to have operational for Christmas for Paul, Danielle reconnects with her high school acquaintance, Kevin Vaughn, the owner/operator of the town's hobby shop, he an all 'round fix-it guy. In connecting, they decide to try and locate the North Pole Express and if they can find it if it can be resurrected for the Festival. While they do locate the equipment, it will take what Kevin considers a Christmas miracle for it to be up and running for the Festival, especially as no one makes parts for it anymore. In the process, Danielle and Kevin start to fall for each other. Their path to a relationship faces many hurdles, not only of the outcome of the North Pole Express, but also Danielle's life in Chicago in this possible promotion, and Kevin's ex-girlfriend, Jackie, who operates the florist shop next to Kevin's shop, making it clear individually to both Kevin and Danielle that she wants to get back together with him.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 805.85 MB
1280*714
English 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
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Pleasantly surprised
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VIEWS ON FILM review of Toying with the Holidays
I reviewed many Lifetime movies circa the year 2020. Toying with the Holidays is my first Xmas write-up for this year. Christmas Day is getting closer so well, it's time again.
Anyway Toying with the Holidays sort of "toys" with the audience. I mean it's not intentional but you figure the film could've been a tad shorter (I always thought Lifetime yuletide flicks clocked in at 90 minutes). A slow burn, cutesy drama that didn't really have anything at stake? Yeah I got through it.
So OK, Toying with the Holidays follows the Lifetime holiday blueprint down to its nub. You got the two leads (male and female) who initially have conflict. You have one of the leads saddled with a relative who passed away. You have the same female lead going back to her hometown to predictably save Christmas. Lastly, you have that final smooch at the end which could've happened a heck of a lot earlier. I mean c'mon, just kiss the girl dude!
Toying with the Holidays is a December release that looks about as Christmassy as you can get. I mean every frame could be a postcard from the snowcaps of the North Pole. Watching "Holidays", you secretly wonder if the filmmakers decided to open up a year-long Noel shop between jobs. Heck, "ho ho ho" feels like a regular scheduled thang.
Taking place in a fictional town in Illinois and featuring two appealing actors (Chad Michael Murray, Cindy Busby) who I guess have perfectly placed hair, Toying with the Holidays takes the cheese factor and applies it to the concept of resurrecting old-world, model trains. Murray squints, Busby looks good in jeans, the town gets drowned in eggnog, and everybody lives happily ever after. My ka, well it got a full helping of saccharine and glace.
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Loved the trains
My hubby loved watching the trains. This show was somewhat different with the trains & their meanings to the town and the family. It wasn't just a boy meets girl show. Good storyline, fun show.
My only complaint is that Cindy Busby is so perky & annoying - almost to the point of appearing fake. No one is that happy & energetic all the time.