Too much of everything

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

I was home, alone, recovering from a serious week-long chest cold. Still contagious, I knew that both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would be spent with Kleenex, Campbell's Chicken Soup, and the remote. Being a HUGE FAN of ALL Christmas movies, it was tough to find one that l hadn't seen. The name Amber Riley jumped off of the cable network, on ASPIRE network, which I'd never heard or seen. I've loved Amber since GLEE and followed her to DWTS, where she won...Go Amber! I was completely absorbed in the plot, acting and non-traditional Christmas formula that 90% of ALL Christmas movies follow. Not saccharine nor predictable, I will be looking forward to seeing this film for years to come. Not until the very end was I aware that this was a true story. I also deeply appreciated that this was a mixed race film, showing that race has NOTHING TO DO WITH HAVING A MISERABLE CHILDHOOD. I'm Caucasian and grew up like Amber's character: addicted mentally ill mom, too many abusive boyfriends of hers to count, and I ran away from home three times...from a lily white farm town in Michigan. Only by my strength and the grace of God did I survive and thrive. This movie showed how the same incidents can be treated vastly differently by the individual. Some rise above their past, some use it as their gravestone.

This was a wonderful surprise. The movie had a higher than normal rating (7.1) which attracted me to watch it. Amber Riley was great in the lead role and she was the force behind its success. She portrayed an unstoppable vibrant beautiful good person who came through adversity. Beautiful singing in spots fit right in with the character.The movie was gripping. The description did not do it justice. It was about kids that did not have a family to go to for Christmas and how one such kid overcame. Guess what- it is based on a true story. Well done.Really it was a very simple movie. It was well done and was memorable. Only about 1 in 10 movies will I rate a 10. This one had that special something.I enjoyed the girls (5 of them), the soon to be boyfriend and the professor in the supporting cast. They all contributed positively to the movie.

I only found this by doing a cable search for Christmas movies and the title came up. I watch every single Christmas movie that start showing on Hallmark or Lifetime every year. This was one of the last ones that I viewed, (March 2016) as I was in Rio from Christmas through beginning of February. For the first 15 minutes I was not getting into the story at all. It wasn't touching me. Not sure when it finally starting registering my interest, but it was some time coming. I also noticed it was on UP channel which I was not familiar with, nor had any previous viewing. Then I started attaching to and enjoying the main two characters. The lead girl, Miss Riley, I found so unique and engaging. Such a delight and joy about her. Of course, she was playing a real life person, who had actually lived this life. But I really enjoyed this girl a lot. Then I went to IMDb today to put my vote on the movie and I see that Amber Riley was on the cast of Glee. So she should continue to get better roles. She is a very credible and engaging young lady. Enjoyed this very much!! But unfortunately, this movie did not get too many viewers, as evidenced by the minor number of voters. (87 at the time of this writing). And that is because it was not on Hallmark. I watch a lot of TV, but I'd never heard of UP. I see that it is a channel that blacks should know more about it and hopefully view. There is another family series, "Lincoln Heights",that I have watched a few episodes since the "My One Christmas Wish". UP just doesn't have a large enough audience. Hopefully, that will change. I have recorded, from the first episode, "Black-ish" and continue to do so. It is my favorite family sit-com. Anthony Anderson is genius and lovable!! So is Amber Riley!! Everyone, black or white, should watch "Blackish", at least 5 episodes. I fear that too many whites avoid it; glad I didn't. I also wish, everyone who enjoys the Halmark Christmas movies would have also seen this one!!

I am so pleased to have seen Amber Riley on this as it's been ages since I last saw her on Glee. This movie isn't your typical overrated Christmas film you would normally see but its way more realistic! I loved how it concentrates on individuals who never had families or have been abused in their homes so Christmas can be just a hard time for those people. I just think Christmas causes lots of pressure as well for families that don't have much money. I'm not exactly a Christmas fan but I think this movie was pretty good! I honestly thought this is the best holiday film I've ever seen, they should actually show this to anyone who is finding it tough on Christmas!