Winter Song

Not your typical, dumb plot, saccharine Christmas movie. Keep tissues handy, this one is about redemption and forgiveness; it's never too late. Stan Shaw's voice is still strong. It's nice to see Ashanti in a movie again.

This is what a Christmas movie should be. No making cookies or decorating the tree. But a story with warmth and love.

Stan Shaw the longtime underrated actor steals the show is this new Lifetime Network movie for the holiday season. Wanting to reconnect with his daughter he is befriended by Ashanti (also solid) who lost her father years earlier. Lots of music but what it doesn't have is the cookie cutter plot that most other Christmas themed movies have this time of year. A breath of fresh air for this holiday season.

This is a fairly unusual story among the usual Lifetime and Hallmark stories this time of year. For one thing it isn't a romance. It is a story of trying to bring family together.

Along the way we get to hear Stan Shaw sing a lot of Christmas songs and one non-traditional song, which may be original.

There are some heartwarming moments, but for me the main attraction was Ashanti singing and I'm not otherwise that familiar with her work.

We have been bombarded with mind numbingly boring Christmas themed films since September. I watched this film today with no great expectations but as it went on I got more and more involved with the storyline. Stan Shaw was superb as the ailing father wanting to reconcile with his daughter. Most of us at times have a strained relationship with one or more of our parents and this film brings these thoughts and feelings into focus. Reconciliation at Christmas was the theme but thankfully without santa and candy cane. The supporting cast was excellent throughout.