Weihnachten mit einem Tramp

You know, I've had this as part of a box set of Christmas flicks for quite a few years, and when I found out the plot, I was pretty pumped for it. This film really let my fiancé and I down. It's not really special, even though I'll agree that it has one REALLY touching moment that brought us both to tears.

Every person in this film is awful. Every single one. Not the actors-just the characters themselves. Selfishness abounds, and mercilessness is everyone's motivation. Everyone constantly wants to argue and then avoid more argumentation by just up and leaving everything behind.

This does not make for a good Christmastime movie experience, whatsoever. I surely wouldn't let my kids (if I were ever blessed with any) watch this pitiful movie. There's nothing honestly happy about it, even though I think both the grandpa hobo and the father/main character have some pretty solid moments for their respective performances. They both try hard with what they're given, but there's just not much to work with, when it comes to the script with this flick.

I wouldn't even say this is sweet, at all. It all feels so exhaustive, by the end, to the point that I kind of don't want to watch this ever again. It's certainly not memorable.

This interesting teleplay touches on some serious reconciliation issues. Production values are above average for its genre, writing, direction, performances, editing, cinematography and music. The participation of the always reliable Barnard Hughes was my reason for watching this, and a good decision it was. Other performances also come across as well cast and quite well realized.

It might not be a movie for all tastes but anyone who enjoys looking back at how families can drift apart and their efforts at reconciliation should find something to appreciate. While certain aspects may seem a little romanticized for some seasoned cynics - Thankfully, unlike a Spielberg production, the adult characters' ring true, and the children are likable (for a change). The late William Hickey (The Name of the Rose '86) as Cincinnati Harold is always a curious watch.

Hearst Entertainment has given us a different kind of Christmas story to admire, for those who care.

Dare I say...Merry Christmas! It's now also avaiable on DVD.

A hobo left home (and his son) 25 years ago. His son is hoping for another 25 years.

This is the story of a family that gets along pretty well, father, son and daughter. Also, dad is trying to zero in on his one-year girlfriend, but she knows that he is not ready to emote enough to be marriage material.

Dad's father shows up to have a reunion. Dad blows him off. Dad's girlfriend pounds him for it. Dad decides to allow his father to spend a day meeting and getting to know his grandchildren.

This turns into a visit for several days, until Christmas. Then grandpa will go off with his hobo friends until the next visit.

Finally the son and daughter get to have another relative; grandpa tells stories of the road. Then they meet his hobo friends.

A good Christmas story.

I'm not someone who easily embraces Christmas. What I do like are simple, eloquent tales of folks reuniting or connecting at Christmas, examining their lives and making small adjustments. This is a compact little story of a painful past and an attempt at resolution. I found myself choking up here and there as the tale progressed, enjoying wise children, the camaraderie of people of the road and overall, the somewhat washed out images of Salt Lake City. There are plenty of sappy Christmas movies trying desperately to become instant classics. I think this might be a true contender. I enjoyed its message. I won't say what that message is but I suspect most will get it.

This is definitely a tv movie. There's no mistaking it..Especially watching it now, here in 2024, almost 2025 (the future!) on crystal clear, high resolution, high definition flat screens of today. And honestly, this movie is so eighties, it's just too sweet and innocent, it's almost a fantasy.

I lived and was old enough to know that it wasn't just all ooey-gooey back then, either.

Maybe not at pessimistic as now, but far from perfect in 1987. Not bad at all, but not dreamlike, like it is here.

First off, I never really get why this dude bailed on his family.

Oh, they attempt to explain it but it doesn't seem realistic.

Probably because it's a twentieth century television movie, but there's no alcohol or drug abuse, no mental illness. No criminal history.

You haven't seen this guy in twenty five years, you don't know what he's been up to.

I'm just saying.

And his running buddies? His co-hobos as it were.

They all seem pretty functional.

What are they all doing out there?

And why give Gerald McRaney's character, Charlie, such an extensive back story? It's too complicated and unnecessary for a tv movie like this.

He's a widowed former steelworker who hobbies in woodworking and used to live in Pennsylvania before relocating his family to Utah and becoming a police officer.

What?

Okay.

At one point, Barnard Hughes, as the title character, actually makes his grandkids a huge stew in a garbage can. A new can? Okay, cool. A used can? Gross!

And I know it's a movie, but still, 25 years gone and you're just going to up and leave your children with this man?

I don't think so.

And again, it may be 1987, but they're treating the tramps here like they're all Charlie Chaplin or Boxcar Willie.

It's fun to watch because it is so ridiculous but it does have an overall sweet message.

Don't eat stew out of garbage cans.