Estranged from his father, college student Jake is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. When the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Allie, does not know where he is, and accepts a cross-country ride from Jake's rival, Eddie.
| Tagline | Somewhere between L.A. and N.Y. Jake found the meaning of Christmas. |
| Release Date: | Nov 13, 1998 |
| Genres: | Comedy, Family |
| Production Company: | Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films |
| Production Countries: | Canada, United States of America |
| Casts: | Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Gary Cole, Eve Gordon, Lauren Maltby, Andrew Lauer, Sean O'Bryan, Lesley Boone, Amzie Strickland, Natalie Barish |
| Status: | Released |
| Budget: | $30000000 |
| Revenue: | 0 |
Well intentioned Christmas film, just a little undercooked. Jonathan Taylor Thomas is the lead of 'I’ll Be Home for Christmas' and he's pretty good, especially at playing the cocky school kid. I feel his arc is satisfactory, though it would've been nice if there was a longer spell of him realising/correcting his behaviour. Still, I feel there's enough in there to justify the (predictable) happy ending. I, also, like the road trip elements. Elsewhere on the cast, a young Jessica Biel appears as Allie. She's solid, as is Adam LaVorgna as Eddie. It's also noteworthy to see Gary Cole involved. It's nothing impactful or anything, but it's fine festive viewing.
