A Miracle on Christmas Lake

Do not go by the DVD cover. This is NOT a cheery and happy Christmastime movie. That is both unusual and a good thing as it anchors this festive tale in a more realistic universe and reality.

The main character, Bobby Whiteside has the weight of a few troubles on his back. The death of his friend the year before, his father leaving home, and an uneasy home life where he constantly argues with his mother and brother.

Feeling that the world is against him he wants to leave the township where all his torments fester forsaking his family, even his sister Roxie, who is the only family member he has a decent relationship with.

This is his story of revelation and change.

The story is tight and the magical and fantastical elements of the tale are handled really well. Another great thing about the movie is the director, Jack Kissack, decided to not make it bright and glossy but keep it darker and bleaker as the story dictated. The acting is top notch and the realistic ending doesn't detract in any way from the meaning of this modern fable.

This is one of the better Christmas movies around, but don't watch it if you're looking for a happy feeling.

I usually like family films with a happy ending theme. This is certainly an exception! Everyone is without explanation mean, over emotional, and over the top. The use of flashbacks combined with fantasy doesn't work. There is no reason a mother wouldn't explain to a senior in high school the circumstances around his father leaving the family. There is no reason anyone would sell their house on the lake worth enough that apparently that the developer will make a fortune on it. How about just keeping your house and once the development is done selling your land for a killing?

Then there is the lead kid. Mad at everyone and everything but it takes almost 90 minutes to find out why. Oh, and his speech at the town meeting... worst movie scene ever candidate. The town mayor... she is the worst actress in a family movie. Belongs in one of the Asylum disaster flicks for real. The move is truly cringe worthy!

With all the really great family movies available I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you SKIP this drivel...

Poorly acted, terrible script, & unnecessarily, excruciatingly looong! The main character was so unlikable, I couldn't even find any sympathy for him. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities. I made the mistake of watching the entire thing, hoping for it to get better, but after nearly THREE HOURS, it never did, & mercifully ended...FINALLY!

The scenery was awesome, and that's all this movie has going for it. The teenager spent the first 2 hours scowling and accusing and demanding answers for the Big Mystery. Finally Mom reveals the answer to the Big Mystery. Yawn. Then he spends the last 30 minutes smiling sappily. Somehow he equates real estate development with the spirit of Christmas. What? I was rather hoping Angry Teenager would fall through the ice and end the movie early.

I liked the premise. But from the opening scene I could tell it was going to be bad. Pretty poor across the board. The acting was almost as bad as the script. I can't believe I watched the whole thing.