“CHARMING, HEARTWARMING AND UPLIFTING”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS is a redemptive romance on the Great American Family Channel. The story begins in New York City with model and social media influencer Cali Caldwell getting a cross-country limo ride from Jack Swanson of Swan Limousines. Cali has a series of charity and professional stops to make across the United States. Cali’s hyper-tense manager, Max, stresses to them both that Cali must be in Los Angeles by December 22 for an important event. However, two Mid-Western snowstorms divert them to Jack’s parents’ house in Illinois, where the couple learns there are more important things in life than just living day by day.
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS is funny, enjoyable and heartwarming. The cast, especially the two leads, deliver charming, appealing performances. JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS has a strong moral, pro-family worldview. The script adds a dash of Christmas cheer and Christmas theology to the mix. That includes the opening faith-filled lyrics to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” in one scene. JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS also adds bits of Mid-Western Americana and a pinch of free-market, capitalist values in its travel itinerary. Nice job!
CONTENT:
(BB, CC, PP, CapCap, M)
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:
Strong moral worldview stresses family, helping other people, helping people in need, and has strong redemptive content with references to Christmas, celebrations of Christmas, opening lyrics to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” are heard celebrating the birth of Christ, the “newborn King,” music from other Christmas carols are sometimes heard, and male lead’s brother implies he only wears a tie on Sundays for church, and movie promotes being home for Christmas, repentance for past wrongful behavior and forgiveness, plus strong morally uplifting Americana and pro-capitalist elements where female lead praises potential romantic partner for starting his own successful business, and male lead encourages potential romantic partner to use her own creative talents and attract customers and fans to the things she creates
Foul Language:
No foul language
Violence:
No violence
Sex:
No sex scenes or sexual immorality, but there are two romantic kisses
Nudity:
No nudity
Alcohol Use:
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:
No smoking or drugs; and,
Miscellaneous Immorality:
Model’s manager is rude, and two instances where people avoid the truth.
MORE DETAIL:
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS is a redemptive romance on the Great American Family Channel about the handsome owner of a limousine service in New York City who drives a beautiful model across country to make some charity and professional stops before Christmas, but a snowstorm diverts them to the man’s parents’ house in Illinois, where the couple learns there are more important things in life than just living day by day. JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS is funny, enjoyable and heartwarming, with charming performances and a strong morally uplifting, pro-family worldview that adds a dash of Christmas cheer and Christmas theology while celebrating bits of Mid-Western Americana and a pinch of free-market, capitalist values.
The story begins in New York City with model and social media influencer Cali Caldwell getting a cross-country limo ride from Jack Swanson of Swan Limousines. Cali has a series of charity and professional stops to make across the United States. Cali’s hyper-tense manager, Max, stresses to them both that Cali must be in Los Angeles by December 22 for an important announcement with a cosmetic company that’s making Cali their public spokeswoman.
On the way to Chicago, however, Cali adds a stop outside Cleveland, to give some designer coats she’s earned to her friend, Rose’s, women’s shelter. Jack is okay with the stop.
However, outside Chicago, the Midwest is hit by two massive snowstorms. They have to ride out the storms at the house of Jack’s parents in Illinois. Jack is reluctant about doing that, however,
because he didn’t handle things well when his high school sweetheart, Talia, broke off their engagement three years ago.
In Illinois, it becomes clear that Talia wants to get back together with Jack. Also, it’s becoming clear to Jack’s family that Jack and Cali are falling in love. Cali also loves Jack’s family. She hasn’t had a really nice Christmas since her parents died. Her manager, Max, has been a hard slave driver.
When Jack finally agrees to talk to Talia, a misunderstanding between Cali and Jack threatens to derail their future journey together.
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS is funny, enjoyable and heartwarming. The courtship between Jack and Cali includes some funny banter, comedy and heartfelt emotional moments. The two leads, Joey Heywood as Jack and Ash Tsai as Cali, have good chemistry together. Their demeanor and facial expressions make their budding friendship and romance work really well. The rest of the cast also delivers charming, appealing performances. Except, of course, for Jeffrey Hanson, who’s the perfect Scrooge as Max, Cali’s manager.
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS has a strong moral, pro-family worldview. The script adds a dash of Christmas cheer and Christmas theology to the mix. For example, Jack’s family is really happy to see Jack come home for a change. Th script has everyone able to do some fun, heartwarming holiday activities, such as building a snowman family, picking a Christmas tree, having hot dogs and hot chocolate over a fire, attending a Christmas festival, etc. During all this, viewers can hear some Christmas carol music and, at one point, the opening faith-filled lyrics to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The movie also stresses helping people in need, being with family at Christmas, repentance for past wrongful behavior, and forgiveness. In one scene, Jack tells Cali that, unlike other celebrities he’s driven who only go to charity events if there’s publicity involved, she enjoys just the act of charity itself.
Media-wise viewers and families will enjoy spending time with this JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS.
