Diner owner Desi (Candace Cameron Bure) is facing the very real possibility of losing her business as the bills mount and she can’t afford to pay them. Considering selling her beloved cherry red Ford F-100, a gift from her late father, Desi decides to visit it one last time. Inside the truck she finds a cassette with a message from her father and he tells her to retrace her family’s most memorable moments. As she is about to set off on the trip, Desi meets Greyson (Eric Johnson), a man who asks for a ride in exchange for a generous payment. Is their meeting too good to be true?
‘A Christmas Less Traveled’ is the first film of Great American Christmas 2024 to star Candace Cameron Bure, Great American Media’s Chief Creative Officer. When Bure made the move from Hallmark to Great American Media, she stated a desire to promote ‘faith programming and good family entertainment’ and this film certainly fits the bill. As with much of the content on the network, ‘A Christmas Less Traveled’ has the themes of faith and family running through its core, and it delivers a surprisingly emotional story about a woman dealing with the loss of her father.
Desi is tested by the arrival of Greyson. He wants to get to know her but she doesn’t, at least initially, feel a need to get to know him. As the two embark on their journey, calling at stops that are pivotal to Desi and her family, Desi’s walls begin to breakdown and she realises that maybe she’s allowed herself to become a little closed off since her father passed. The further Desi progresses in her mission, the more Greyson starts to admire her but the true reason for him being on the trip could ruin everything the two builds. I don’t want to say more than that as it would be too big a spoiler, but there’s a satisfying reveal that leads to a suitable and fulfilling conclusion.
Bure is a seasoned professional and that shows throughout this film. She has a wonderfully warm and magnetic presence, which explains how she’s amassed such a fervent fanbase over the years. In her hands, the character of Desi is brought to life in a way that only she could manage and Bure ensures the audience is on her side. She’s equally matched by Eric Johnson, who breaks out of the stereotypical love interest box as Greyson. His character has his own story and that proves to be just as compelling as Desi’s story. Bure and Johnson fizzle together, sparking in moments of conflict but winning your heart in the film’s softer moments.
‘A Christmas Less Traveled’ is perhaps the best showcase of what Great American Family, and Great American Christmas, has to offer. The film tells a life-affirming story that’s grounded in the everyday struggles that most viewers will be able to relate to. You feel empathy for Desi’s battle to keep her business and you sit beside her as she embarks on a life-changing journey. Like Desi though, you’ll be wary of Greyson and that’s part of the fun. Full of heart and traditional values, ‘A Christmas Less Traveled’ could end up being the jewel in the crown of this year’s slate of films.
Cast: Candace Cameron Bure, Eric Johnson, Josh Collins Director: Heather Hawthorn Doyle Writers: Masey McLain, Taylor Kalupa & Justin D. James Certificate: Unrated Duration: 87 mins Released by: Great American Family Release date: 16th November 2024
‘A Christmas Less Traveled’ airs on Great American Family on Saturday 16th November 2024 at 8/7c. Find out more about the film at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/movie/a-christmas-less-traveled/.
