CinemaSerf
Dec 3, 2022
6/10
So "James" (Asa Butterfield) and girlfriend "Hayley" (Cora Kirk) are saying their goodbyes before heading to their respective families for Christmas. It's only when they are on their separate trains that they realise that they would rather be together, so - without telling each other - they board the other's train. Next thing, she arrives at his and he arrives at her's and what now ensues is a gently comedic tale that quite engagingly illustrates the joys and pains of the season. It turns out that neither have been being entirely honest with each other, or with their families - but can that all get ironed out in time for the turkey? Sure, the story is totally contrived and indulges in just about every Christmas stereotype you can imagine, but there are some fun contributions from Daniel Mays, David Bradley, Dame Harriet Walter and Angela Griffin to help this pass ninety minutes amiably enough. Plenty of snow, a few glasses of mulled wine and a dog called "Peanut" - what's not to like? No, you will not remember it afterwards - even if you haven't had a drink - but it's one of those films that makes you reach for another mince pie at this time of year, and is actually at the better end of these festive television offerings.