My Christmas Hero

This was a mostly enjoyable Christmas movie, with a military theme. Candace Cameron Bure is in the leading role as well as being an executive producer in this movie made for Great American Family. The movie centres on military personnel, their sacrifices and how their life may be affected as a PTSD survivor.

Although I enjoyed this movie, I feel like Bure needs to start acting a little less like an ingenue in her roles. The scene when she went for a hot cocoa date and ended up with whipped cream on her face was a little too cutesy for someone of her age, unless she's determined to be cast as a perennial thirty-something actress forever. As a side note, Teryl Rothery who plays her mother in this movie is only fourteen years older than Bure.

As others here have mentioned, how could the writers not have considered the proper ages of the characters?? As an example, if this movie was meant to have taken place 10 years ago (in 2013), it would have been much more convincing... the main character's mom would have been 69, which may have been more believable than 79! The WWII veterans also appeared to be too young... they would have to have been at least 97 in reality; they looked more like 80 tops. Other than that distracting bit of oversight, the movie was a delight, and very uplifting. I'm not currently associated with the military, but my grandfather was a flight engineer in WWII... and as an American, I appreciate greatly, and honor, those who served and serve. Oh, and I also thought the chemistry between the main characters was wonderful!

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, having read a bit about Candace Cameron Bure recently, that there are lots of overt religious mentions in this film. Can't remember many other films like this that really put it out there, even CCB's previous work.

Aside from that, there are a few historical inaccuracies. Cast seemed too young all around, but especially the actors playing WW2 veterans. Either that or those guys are going full Benjamin Button and aging backwards?

And the grandfather died near Christmas at the end of the war in Italy? The Italians were pretty much rolled up and defeated before D-Day in Europe - in June of 1944. How hard is it for people to do some research?

CCB is okay. Gabriel Hogan is pretty good as Major Ross. The PTSD plot line is to be applauded: the more this insidious condition is normalised, the better.

Some patriotic sentimentality, but, for mine, they laid it on a little thick.

Ultimately, there are better military-themed Christmas movies out there.

As the daughter of a WW II B-17 pilot/Captain I was especially touched by this wonderful movie. Loved it from beginning to end. When we honor our military we acknowledge the great freedom they provide. Enjoyed the actors and script. Wasn't overly "sappy" but there were heartfelt moments throughout. Touched on PTSD issues our brave men and women face. Thought there was really good chemistry between all the characters. Of course, there was predictability as the story develops but it was still well done as it unfolded. Even my husband who is not normally drawn to these movies was drawn in. If you want a feel good patriotic Christmas movie this is it.

In spite of my delight at seeing Gabe Hogan, one of my favorite actors, onscreen, I was slow to warm up to this movie, for some reason. As the story progressed, however, I was very much drawn into it. It's a lovely, warm story that conveys important messages about what the men and women of the armed services - and their families - go through both abroad and at home.

While I agree that some of the actors and actresses seem much too young, I think it must be difficult to find a capable actor in his mid- to late-nineties to play a WWII vet. Perhaps they could have "aged" those actors, but I will say that the mom of a friend was vigorous in her early nineties, and looked much younger than she was. I concede that an older actress should have been cast as Bure's mother, as the woman would have to have been 78 years old, realistically.

There is some conjecture that the movie isn't historically accurate, since it's supposed by some that there could have been no fighting in northern Italy after June, 1944. However, a quick search using the term "WWII Italy December 1944" instantly turned up the battle that is referenced in the movie. It was the Battle of Garfagnana, Italy which took place in very late December, 1944 and was devastating to the allied forces that were there. So, the creators of this story did, in fact, do their homework.

As I mentioned, I always love Gabriel Hogan's work, and the presence of Robin Dunne was an added treat. Unless someone has such an aversion to Christian references that they couldn't stand two or three, I recommend this well-acted and meaningful movie.