Deeper Than You Might Expect

Christmas is merely a backdrop for what is a deeper and well done movie about family dynamics. Sam Elliott gives a masterful performance playing a tough Dad in a tough situation. He's unable to explain or express his emotions - his wife has died recently and he cannot make enough money from his apple farm to support his daughter and her older brother. He has tough decisions ahead and is grittily bound by the realities of his Earthly life.

His daughter, meanwhile, is full of wonder, unbounded joy and optimism. The contrast between her world and his is striking, as Elliott reaches the point where he decides he has to send his daughter away to live with the aunt, because he simply can't provide for her.

Being a father, this hits home real deep.

There are many other layers to the film and many twists and turns along the way. But beyond the magic of Christmas is the father's ultimate realization that he can't live without his daughter - she's the one spark of life left out there for him. She, by the power of her incredible spirit, redeems him, heals him, and let's him break down and grieve openly.

With three kids ages 16, 14 and 10, I watch and have watched many many "kid/teenage movies." A big complaint that I have is that in 9 out of 10 of them the Dad is stupid, evil, clueless, or some other form of the bad guy. In this movie, the Dad starts out as uncaring and unfeeling but there is more of a gritty realism to it. (The film itself reinforces this - it's cold and somewhat grim and often nighttime - you do NOT get the feeling that this is a "Hollywoood" movie) These are apple farmers out in the sticks and they are fighting to make ends meet. They are poor. The Dad is mean in alot of the film but because he is down on his luck and broken through circumstance, not cluelessness. His salvation and rebirth is a big part of what this movie (and Christmas) is about.

Five stars.

First movie I remember seeing

I absolutely loved this movie as a child. I went with my grandmother to see this in theaters when it came out.It just gives me great memories.If you love the innocence and happiness of the holiday season I recommend this for any family.

One Terrific Movie

First of all, before I go on, I must say that the music score in Prancer by Maurice Jarre (father of world famous keyboardist Jean-Michel Jarre) is just superb. The haunting score is played throughout the film, and it gets me every time.

I can't get through this film without totally breaking down (and I'm a 50 year old 250 lb guy). I think it has a lot to do with the music, but also the story of a child's love for an animal. This is the only film I totally cry over, so much so I haven't watched it on over 5 years until I saw it again on TV and it gets to me the same way it did over 10 years ago when I first saw it.

The film is dark (not the story but the film itself) and it really works as I can almost feel being there in the snow covered hills of Michigan where the story takes place. I can feel the cold air as the scenery in the way it's depicted in the film is remarkable. Up until the very end, this is the most realistic film of any genre out there.

This is in my own personal top ten movies of all time.