7.5 stars.

If you've seen the trailer, this film is self-explanatory, so I will go into some of the fringe and less noticeable qualities. The acting is superb, one of the best of Hallmark. Every person is exemplary, especially the stepfather. Mom does a great job as a caring and concerned mother of a teenage boy with some disadvantages due to the autism spectrum, however, he seems to be a highly functioning kid overall. We don't fully understand the condition, but from what I understand, it's like any other mental, or psychological anomaly, they all seem to be centered in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. I suspect as soon as we find a way to truly regulate this part of the brain, most mental health professionals will be unemployed. Good movie btw. Uplifting, inspiring, motivational.

I tried to get this but couldnt.

It was a slog of a movie I just couldnt grasp the non physical disabilty and it all came across as pandering to be honest the whole thing felt overacted and unessisary and not very Christmassy

I tried to get this but couldnt.

It was a slog of a movie I just couldnt grasp the non physical disabilty and it all came across as pandering to be honest the whole thing felt overacted and unessisary and not very Christmassy

I tried to get this but couldnt.

It was a slog of a movie I just couldnt grasp the non physical disabilty and it all came across as pandering to be honest the whole thing felt overacted and unessisary and not very Christmassy.

In this film, Charlie (played nicely by Aias Dalman) is an austitic young teen with emotional and social issues that his mother, Marissa, stepfather, Eric, and friend, Amy, are forced to deal with. But, they are issues that are common to any young teen, whether autistic or not. So, what the writers and director have created is a story with lessons about how parents and friends can help a floundering youth deal with problems that are pretty universal to any child who is growing up. This is how parents and friends should talk and act whenever they encounter a troubled youth. And that is what is remarkable about this film - autism may be the catalyst that causes Charlie's family and friends to treat him the way that they do, but it is how we should treat ANY young teen who suffers from the anxieties that Charlie does. It's a great life lesson for us all.

Nikki Deloach plays Marissa wonderfully, but it's Lucas Bryant who is really outstanding here as the stepfather.

The supporting cast is also very good, particularly Daphne Hoskins as Amy, April Telek as Marissa's friend, and Miranda Edwards as her boss. So, the acting here is very real and natural all around.

I really think this is worth your time. Interesting and heartwarming with some really special characters played by an excellent cast.