Rhemalogy

“I don’t think you realize just how many women are in our shoes.”

Synopsis: Julia Bedford is a dedicated homemaker living in a modestly affluent neighborhood with her successful husband and sixteen-year-old daughter. When Julia discovers that her husband is cheating on her, they divorce and what happens to her is a rollercoaster ride into the other side of life.

Imagine being in a marriage you thought was safe and secure only to find a love note to your husband in his jacket pocket you didn’t write. That’s exactly what happened to Julie Bedford (Linda Hamilton).

Julie’s husband, George (Garwin Sanford) is having a meeting when she storms in questioning him about his having an affair after finding out everybody knew about it except her. He admits it is true using that age-old excuse “Things haven’t been working for a long time.” In the divorce agreement, Julie gives him the house and just wants him to keep all previous promises, especially concerning their daughter, Andie’s (Brittney Wilson), trip to Spain. Julie walks away with $25,000 and her car that isn’t paid for.

Taking her daughter with her, they end up in a bad part of town as she tries to make it on a $25,000 budget. Andie hates their one-bedroom apartment and really detests her school. All of this causes an emergency school meeting where Julie walks into the counselor’s office and sees her husband, his girlfriend, and Andie sitting on a couch. Only to be told Andie wants to live with her father. This is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. From here Julie’s life spirals totally out of control.

While looking for a job she happens in this coffee shop where she meets the owner, Max Stern (Campbell Lane), with whom she forges a friendship. And also notices a patron sitting there wearing one of the outfits she’d previously donated to the local woman’s shelter.

Through a series of mishaps, Julie ends up sleeping in her car and meets Max’s son Michael (Rob Stewart), who is smitten with her, but because of her situation, she runs in the other direction. Yet he is persistent. And while running she bumps into that patron again, whose name is Selma (Brenda Crichlow) that’s been watching over her like a guardian angel. She knows Julie’s been sleeping in her car and shows her how to survive the streets. While letting her know there is a microcosm of women in the same situation.

Will Julie ever get out of that car? Will she find her Prince Charming in Michael? Will her daughter come back? You will just have to watch the movie to find out.

Although there is an air of predictability to this film; if you are an eternal optimist like me—you will watch this film through to the end simply to see what happens. The veteran actors hold their ground in convincing roles. The plot has a Cinderella feel and the storyline takes some surprising turns. But all in all, it is a well-written script and the music fits perfectly.

Home By Christmas was originally released in 2005, is 95 min, and is rated TV-14. Can be seen on Tubi, Prime Video, and DVD purchased on Amazon.

Director: Gail Harvey
Writers: Monica Parker(story) Nancey Silvers
Stars: Linda Hamilton, Rob Stewart, Brenda Crichlow

We give Home By Christmas

There is a scripture that reads, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7 NKJV) Sometimes we may have to go through a lot of trials to reap what we’ve sown, yet if those seeds were sown on good ground a harvest is inevitable—but when—only God knows. While waiting just remember He is faithful.

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