Watch A Different Kind of Christmas

A Different Kind of Christmas is a heartwarming family movie that was released in 1996. The movie is set during the Christmas season and follows Elizabeth Gates (Shelley Long), a recent divorcee, as she tries to make the holiday season special for her children, Abby and Will, after a string of difficult events. The movie also stars Barry Bostwick as Jack Cameron, Elizabeth's old flame, and Nathan Lawrence as Will.

The movie begins with Elizabeth being dumped by her boyfriend, followed by her losing her job. To make matters worse, her ex-husband decides to spend Christmas in Hawaii with his new girlfriend, leaving Elizabeth responsible for making the holiday special for her children. Determined to make the best of the situation, Elizabeth decides to take her kids to her parents' house.

Once they arrive, they find that Elizabeth's parents are not at all the happy and festive people that they remember. Instead, they are bitter and resentful, especially towards Jack, who was Elizabeth's high school sweetheart. Elizabeth's children, however, love Jack and his son, and they all bond quickly. Despite this, Elizabeth is still wary of letting Jack too close.

As the story progresses, the family continues to face challenges, including one that threatens to ruin Christmas altogether. But through it all, Elizabeth learns to open her heart again and to let go of the past. Along the way, she also learns the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to be a family.

One of the most endearing things about A Different Kind of Christmas is the way it portrays family relationships. The movie shows that families can be complicated and that there can be tension, but at the end of the day, love and forgiveness are what really matter. The movie is also very relatable to anyone who has ever experienced a difficult Christmas season.

Shelley Long delivers a strong performance as Elizabeth, portraying the character's vulnerability and strength with authenticity. Barry Bostwick is also excellent as Jack, portraying the character's charm and humor. Nathan Lawrence is delightful as Will and brings a sense of innocence and wonder to the movie.

The movie also features a great soundtrack, with classic Christmas songs such as "The First Noel" and "Silent Night" adding to the movie's warm and festive atmosphere.

Overall, A Different Kind of Christmas is a wonderful movie for the entire family. Its message of love, forgiveness, and the importance of family is timeless and resonates with viewers of all ages. It's a great movie to watch during the holiday season or any time of the year.

A Different Kind of Christmas is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.