the leading man is my tpye

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Todd McCray (Noel Fisher) is a mentally disabled twenty year old who lives with his parents in a rural area out west. His father, George (Bruce Greenwood) is stern but loving while his mother Mary Ann (Linda Emond) encourages Todd daily with hugs and praise. Since the farm has animals, Todd helps his father in the barn most days. In fact, Todd adores creatures and nurses wounded hawks back to health, among other activities. Unhappily for the young adult, however, is that his father refuses to let his son have a dog, which is what Todd desires most. George, you see, was in a combat zone and cared for a stray dog in the company. After George was wounded, the dog disappeared and he never saw the canine again. Thus, Mr. McCray's deep-rooted sorrows are the reason for his stubbornness. One holiday season, however, Todd learns that the nearest animal shelter is encouraging folks to adopt an animal just for the Christmas season, as some of the staff will be traveling and such. George gives his consent for Todd to take a dog home but tells his son over and over that they will be returning the dog on December 26. This doesn't dampen Todd's excitement! He picks out a golden retriever and names the dog Christmas. Soon, the animal is doing tricks and following Todd everywhere. He even saves some barn animals from disaster. Will George truly make Todd give the dog up? This very beautiful movie will enchant anyone and everyone who sees it. The story is first rate, displaying strong doses of reality and love. Fisher, too, is absolutely wonderful as the disabled son while Greenwood, Emond and the rest back him up in fine fashion. Also, the setting is most lovely while the direction securely draws the viewer to watch avidly until the credits. There are many holiday films, indeed, to entertain potential fans. But, few are as terrific as this Hallmark Hall of Fame winner.

One of the most heartwarming beautiful movies I've ever watched. It is on my watch list every year for Christmas. Finally I managed to record it so I can watch it any time I want. I love animals and I love the way that boy never gave up on the idea to not only save and have one but help more dogs find a home during the most beautiful time of the year.And the boy who played the mentally challenged kid did a wonderful job. Watch it during the holidays and you will feel the same way. Of course I am a sucker for Hallmark and Lifetime movies, but really, you gotta watch this one :-) I don't own a dog, just a cat, but if anything ever happens to me, I hope someone takes my sweetheart in like this boy did with Christmas

The movie is AWESOME, as is typical for Hallmark movies and commercials, however, the movie is almost ruined by one scene!!!!! Why in the world did the Director, Cinematographer and Film Editor allow a HUGE (Not subtle!) mistake to go uncorrected! Christmas's handler is visible for several seconds through the window of the pickup truck as George, Todd and Christmas leave the Animal Shelter. I can't remember another Hallmark Movie containing such an 'obvious' gaff in filming! I hope this is the last error of this magnitude that we will ever see again! Please, I hope that you continue to maintain the quality that we have grown to love and expect in these productions!!! PS - I would agree with other comments....As a veteran, I appreciate your reference to Viet Nam, but, if you are going to portray Viet Nam in images....KEEP IT REAL....NOT CHEESY!

Just watched this film and had to look it up, because I really enjoyed it.Had to laugh, though, at the comment from sdquinn2-1, who claimed Bruce Greenwood was "too young" to have played a Viet Nam Vet. Excuse me? He's an actor, and a good one. He could probably portray someone of 80 with the right makeup. My husband is 57 and would, but for the grace of God, have been a Viet Nam Vet. He looks so much like Bruce Greenwood's character in this film, they could have played brothers. Kudos to Hallmark's casting director for getting it right. So many assume these Vet's are ALL like the guys on skid row holding signs that say, "Will Work For Food" then drinking whatever cash they receive. Hallmark did a great service to all the good looking, law abiding Vets who did serve, and continue to serve their communities as Ham Radio operators, Boy Scout leaders, and in many other volunteer efforts. Some of these men are still quite handsome. Perhaps some magazine should have a "Hottest Viet Nam Vet" contest. I could nominate several men. ;) The stamp may not have been a mistake either. Families who had APO addresses were able to send letters directly to their servicemen and women, but girlfriends (like me) often had to send letters through regular mail to our serviceman's family, and have them forwarded to the trooper. I bought plenty of postage stamps to mail letters to my friends serving in Viet Nam. All this aside, Sdquinn, the film was based on a book. Was the lead character in the book a Viet Nam War Vet? Authors hate to have their stories changed too much just to simplify a film.Thanks, Hallmark, for once again providing excellent family films. I wish you'd make one about a talented opera singer, and cast my daughter. ;) /nm1965004/