Christmas in the Heartland (2017) Online

The first 95% of the film was cute and decently acted. Then the climactic fight scene happened. It was horrendous. Excruciating. In terms of quality, I feel like I read "Fifty Shades of Grey" again. That's not a compliment. It was cheap and came off as contrived by a high schooler.

Like seriously, who signed off on this scene? It actually kind of pisses me off, that such amazing actors would be budgeted and then there is a speedy stumble through such a crucial scene. It was a huge disappointment that comes across as a wasteful antithesis of the holiday spirit.

Prior to the fight scene, I would have given it a 6 out of 10. The scene itself was a 1 out of 10 (as in I'd readily go out and purchase the movie "Glitter", than watch this scene again).

While I agree with some that the ending was way too contrived ("the fight scene"), the clever premise was a nice change from the typical made-for-TV Christmas movie of man/woman enemies or strangers who find love, which has become painfully predictable. Kane's role is nice, and I can actually buy into two teenagers doing what teenagers might do. Bo Derek was surprisingly good in her role as a shallow snob. The ending? Ugggh. But since I got 98% pleasant out of it, and I got to seem some actors get roles again (often stereotypical) as they've aged, I can't knock it too much. A great classic it will never be, but not a bad way to spend a couple hours before Christmas.

SPOILER!!! I cannot believe this movie scored so high! It was fairly decent through most of the movie although I did not care for the deception. However, the ending was one of the most bizarre and uncomfortable scenes I have ever seen. There were so many devastating, life altering bombs dropped and no one seemed too bothered by all the revelations. I know Mrs. Gentry was an unbearable, uptight woman but to treat her like that in front of everyone was heartless and ruthless... and downright bizarre! I only gave it a 3 because some of the acting was commendable. Two hours that we will never get back....

Just finished watching this movie with my favorite actor, singer Christian Kane. It is one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen. The entire cast is so realistic,The music is great and it makes you feel so happy at the end. I am sure I will watch it over and over again.There are laughs, touching moments and surprises. It is a movie the entire family can watch together and enjoy

My husband and I just finished watching the movie and it was astounding! Hubby couldn't say anything but glowing reviews, even though he tries not to get too excited since my favorite actor, (and singer/songwriter, chef, etc.)Christian Kane is in it! It's the perfect movie for the season! I'm not going to try to sound as if I have the movie lingo down, I don't! All I can say is the cast is totally believable and worked so well together! It's surely to become a Christmas Classic! Will watch it several dozen more times I'm positive about that!

The young actresses, Sierra McCormick and Brighton Sharbino, are adorable and do their best with what they're given in this production. The film's premise is not original, and there are far too many holes and continuity issues, but was never meant to be nominated for any prestigious awards. It's just one of dozens of schmaltzy Christmas movies for 2017, for entertainment purposes only.

Two young girls meet for the first time, and hatch an idea during a flight to Oklahoma to switch places to visit families they have never met. Jesse (Sharbino) and Cara (Mccormick) couldn't be more different in appearance, upbringing, style, everything. The film was released in 2017 so everyone has smart phones, including Jesse and Cara; yet the families had no idea what these kids looked like beforehand?

Jesse lives the highlife with Cara"s family, while Cara slums it with Jesse's "kin'. Jesse is nearly a full head taller than Cara, yet Caras clothes fit Jesse perfectly. No one ever calls to check on either of these kids. The deception is never questioned by either family.

Bo Derek, an executive producer of the film, stars as Elsa, Caras stiff, snobbish grandmother. Thanks to the miracle of plastic surgery, she looks incredibly young, but her acting leaves a lot to be desired after decades of experience. Shelley Long, as Jesse's grandmother, hasn't fared so well in appearance after all these years. The long, stringy hair is just awful. She was a hit on "Cheers" in the 70s, but this film was anything but for her career. The remainder of the cast fit well, with nothing exceptional or critically awful.

The entire film falls apart, literally, at the end. Worst finale of any of the Christmas offerings for 2017. Whomever approved script must have been on too many meds because it was beyond ridiculous. Uncomfortable, badly acted, unrealistic from any point of view. The deception is revealed with no one really concerned that the families have been duped all along. The conclusion was a silly country-style song lip synced by the cast.

Enjoy it as just a partially cute Christmas tale.

The story of The Prince and the Pauper is a century and half old. But this movie stands on its own, not a cheap copy.

It helps that both the girls have sweet dispositions and can think on their feet. Jeff has some good traits also. The real Kara is better off with Judy while Jessie has to suffer Elsa who is a mean snob.

It's a nice story of people getting to know one another but then it gets messy and the situation goes down hill fast. It's obvious from early on that there's going to be a reckoning. There was some clever maneuvering to avoid blowing things up too early.

There's some messages in the story, rich-vs-poor snobbery being a big one, and Christmas generosity being another.

It was pleasant to hear the girls sing, but neither is beauty pageant winning material, but maybe in a small enough town.

Is the ending predictable? I sure didn't see it coming. I liked it. Like the premise, it may have stretched credulity a bit, but there are literally hundreds of movies in this genre that are as bad or worse. when compared with reality or real life logic.

Overall the movie is just fun. Brighton Sharbino, a true high-school age actress, is OK as Jessie, but more than the acting, you can just feel the good time she is having. Sierra McCormick is even more so. She radiates everything that should be good in a movie like this. And the closing scene with singing, dancing and outtakes was fantastic. (Christian Kane can sing?)

This was a sweet movie and I enjoyed it. The ending was a little unrealistic, but cute. It put a smile on my face. ????

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this movie! There isn't a rating high enough for me to give it, it is THAT GOOD! I really thought since the premise was similar to the classic "The Parent Trap", I wasn't going to like this movie. Boy, was I ever wrong. NEVER assume or prejudge a movie it may surprise you and this one definitely did I am very pleased to say! I am not very good a writing reviews as you probably can tell. I don't like giving out Spoilers because I know I do not like them at all! Don't want to take away anyone's enjoyment of seeing and hearing things for the first time themselves. But if you are like me and love Christian Kane's acting and singing, I will just say you don't want to miss it! I will also say to those wondering about his screen time. Don't. It is more than I had originally believed it to be. YAY! The whole cast were just awesome, great story line etc all came together wonderfully for a fun, entertaining, family friendly movie. A movie for folks of all ages! I would say 9 yrs and up should just love it as much as me! Older generations too. Perfect for them as well! So do check it out and Enjoy! I did! and will over and over again!

As a kaniac I was really looking forward to this movie, and I was not disappointed. This is one of those films that you can watch with the whole family. All the actors were amazing and told the story really well. I can only recommend this film to everyone.

If you like a good family film with an easy story line then I would say watch this.

They tried at least. It's like they wanted to make a good heartfelt movie but just didn't have the budget for it. Acting was terrible.

As a hardcore Kaniac, this review may be biased. I thought this was a fun Christmas movie. I particularly enjoyed the music. In my opinion, this was a movie the entire family could enjoy.

Lovely fun movie! Christmas In The Heartland has now been added to my holiday watch list. All the actors worked so well together. The song they sang at the end was fun to listen to and everyone looked like they had a lot of fun doing it. It was a fun family movie which also has a lot of emotional parts in it. Every Christmas movie should always have that happy ending. I really loved it.Christian Kane was fantastic in this movie, he is such a versatile actor, a true pleasure to watch him in any movie especially when he sings too.

Has a very Disney like feel to the movie. Very family friendly variation of the parent trap. Bo Derek plays an excellent superficial, materialistic, elitist snob with all the depth of a stick of gum. Shelly Long is a wonderful earthy, home town, cookie making type grandma. Christian Kane plays and amazing Dad unsure if he really want's or is even willing to reconcile with his parents. The girls are amazing. It's a wonderful movie. I rented it to check it out and see if it is worth purchasing. It very much is.

I am not normally a fan of Christmas movies, but this one is definitely worth watching. The entire cast was fantastic, the story was really cute, and I even liked the music. My main complaint was that Christian Kane wasn't in it more (I adore him). It's a great family holiday movie and one I will watch over and over.

Absolutely wonderful fun movie! Should defiantly be on your must watch list. #ChristmasInTheHeartland is now on my holiday watch list! All the actors worked so well together, it was totally a believable story. The song they sang at the end was awesome, and has a lot of emotion in it. Every Christmas movie should always have that happy ending. Although it was a comedy it also had some pretty serious moments. I absolutely loved it.