“Christmas in Honeysuckle Lane” is recommended!
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TITLE: Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane
FILM YEAR: 2018
DURATION: 86 minutes
COMPANY: Hallmark Channel
Directed by Maggie Greenwald
Novel by Mary Beth McDonough
Teleplay by Caitlin D. Fryers
Producer: Andrew Gernhard, Erica Joseph Hunter
Co-Producer: Colin Theys
Executive Producer: Danielle von Zerneck
Music by Michael Richard Plowman
Cinematography by Branden James Maxham
Edited by Keith Reamer
Casting by Valerie McCaffrey
Production Design by Christian Snell
Art Direction by William J. O’Donnell
Set Decoration by Adrianne Davis
Costume Design by Tammy Gibbens
Starring:
Alicia Witt as Emma Reynolds
Colin Ferguson as Morgan Shelby
Laura Leighton as Andie
Jill Larson as Rachel Jacobs
Mary Beth McDonough as Caroline Reynolds
Ariane Rinehart as Rumi
Jordan Dean as Daniel Reynolds
Jose Ramon Rosario as Joe
John Palladino as Ian Tillman
Blair Lewin as Anne Marie Reynolds
Fiona Morgan Quinn as Sophie
Owen Dammacco as Marco
We have reached day 60, the final holiday film I will be watching in 2023 for this year’s holiday film marathon.
The film is titled “Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane” and why I saved this one for last, it’s stars one of my favorite holiday actresses, Alicia Witt (who is also an amazing singer as well, and her song is featured in this film). But back in 2021, it was a difficult year for me.
Having lost my father unexpectedly, having to deal with all the family situations after one’s death and then I needed something to keep Christmas in my heart, even though I didn’t feel like it. And I discovered a few of Alicia’s older holiday films such as “A Very Merry Mix-Up” (2013) and “Christmas at Cartwright’s” (2014).
But then I discovered the news before Christmas that her parents were found dead at their Massachusetts home and my heart just felt sympathy, having lost my father and nearly lost my mother that year. Both were hospitalized not long after Christmas.
I can only imagine the pain but for the most part, for me, Alicia Witt’s holiday films helped me through that tough year in life.
When I discovered that “Christmas in Honeysuckle Lane” was part of a holiday film bundle, I made the decision this would be my final film to watch for 2023.
And the subject matter of this 2018 holiday film was quite heartfelt and I had to check if this film was made after 2021, but it was made in 2018, because the performance by Witt is amazing. She made me feel the pain and emotion of losing your parents…and I can understand her.
The film revolves around Emma Reynolds (portrayed by Alicia Witt), a busy attorney who hasn’t been home in a long while to see her family. But with the passing of both parents, she hasn’t been home but now, with the final Christmas at the family’s home on Honeysuckle Lane, she decides to celebrate the holidays.
She is greeted by her sister, a successful writer Andie (portrayed by Laura Leighton) and her younger brother Daniel (portrayed by Jordan Dean), who has been taking care of the family home and preparing for it to be sold.
They host one last Christmas party at the home but for Emma, the home means so much for her. So much of her favorite memories with her parents were created in the house.
Meanwhile, she is tasked to work with appraiser Morgan Shelby (portrayed by Colin Ferguson), a guy she didn’t quite like when she first met him but eventually, the two partake in the town’s festive Christmas activities. And as she finds herself falling for Morgan (and vice versa), her ex-fiance is coming to town to win Emma back.
For the most part, this is a fitting final holiday film for me to watch. Maybe it’s sign because while I still try to have that holiday spirit, the pain of losing my father and the challenges faced in these past few years, have left me feeling distant. I, like the character of Emma, have not been to much into family things during the holidays. To be truthful, I have been just dealing with a lot of things on my own, as I don’t want to bother people with my own issues and find my own new happiness.
I think if anything, those happy memories or just memories of people no longer with you, it really does hurt inside. And I found myself hurting more than I expected.
So, in some ways, maybe there was some magical reason this film was saved for me, for the final film during the holidays.
A reminder that people grieve in different ways and for me, I dealt with grief through work. Maybe this film was a sign for me to get back together with family once again. And to not let the pain that I have locked inside, to finally let it go.
Maybe that’s the Christmas spirit of it all and why I have been doing these holiday marathons…it started when I was the most miserable and these films have been therapeutic in some ways. Trying to bring back with positivity and love during the holidays.
Maybe that was the point… Of me watching these holiday films. The holidays were painful, but it’s time to move forward and not be too consumed with this feeling of loneliness and sadness during the holidays.
But I really do thank Alicia Witt. A talented actress with an amazing voice. While I am not sure if she will do another holiday film since her parents passing, but I hope she does.
“Christmas in Honeysuckle Lane” is recommended!
