Most theatrical films today don't enter the realm of traditional values or refrain entirely from using words that make you feel uncomfortable with young children watching. Nor is there ever a product placement for Coca Cola very far away to remind us of crass commercialism. I picked this film up at my local library given it's Christmas themed title, and I don't know if I would ever have become aware of it otherwise. In many respects it's a melancholy tale dealing with heartache and loss, but counterbalanced by scenes of the young Tommy (Luke-Ward Wilkinson) making new friends in a new town and getting involved in the kind of mischief a youngster often finds himself in. The nativity set that serves as the dynamic for bringing the McDowell's together with Jonathan Toomey (Tom Berenger) also inspires the hermit woodcarver to re-evaluate his own life given the personal loss that's only alluded to briefly at the very beginning and end of the story. The attentive viewer will come away reminded that there are such things as happy sheep, proud cows and important angels that can help us connect with fellow travelers on this mortal coil. Set aside an evening for a family viewing of this heartening tale to recapture that Christmas spirit one more time.
