Un Noël en novembre

We only recently stumbled across this 12 year-old film (as I type) and only then because I noticed Sam Elliot is in it.

A little girl has leukemia and may not make it until Christmas, so her father arranges to move up all the holidays to try to squeeze them in before the worst might happen.

It's no spoiler to reveal that the little girl recovers, because the movie leads with her as an adult, and the whole movie is a flashback into a book she wrote about her childhood.

Sam Elliot's character runs a nearby farm, and he had also lost a child. When he gets wind of what's happening, he helps. Eventually, the entire town helps. The movie is warm and moving, and immediately when into our favorites list for the holiday season.

We all know Christmas movies can get bad. I am sure there is plenty examples of bad Christmas movies.

Now if I asked 10 people "What is One of the worse Christmas movie you have ever seen" I will get 10 different examples.

Now if I asked the same 10 people what is the best Christmas movie you ever seen chances are they will say "November Christmas" that is if they have seen it!

A father of a "Cancer stricken child" bumps up the holidays just to cheer up her child. By doing these the father inspires his town to mend fences and that "The Christmas Spirit" does not exclusive to December.

Not to be missed!

It's Hallmark, but not a romance story. Instead it's a story about a little girl with cancer. It's about her story and her family's story and about a nearby farmer who reaches out to support the struggling family. It's a story about what some extra effort from friends and neighbors can do to ease the road for a family who has "been dealt a bad hand" as Jess tells Tom.

The elements are there that make it hard not to have a story that brings tears to your eyes. The acting and direction do what's needed to make this happen.

The ending is kind of abrupt. It's plenty teary, but makes a leap that left some things not quite complete. For example, I would have loved to know more about the waitress/writer. Also, it wasn't much of a surprise, but I wouldn't have had the result any other way.

The movie is adapted from a short story and the story in the movie is a little thin because much of the screen time is spent developing characters' feelings and relationships rather than plot twists and other devices.

If all movies were like this I would actually watch TV or go to the movies! This was an excellent film, well written, well directed, well acted. It's all about relationships, and that's what life is about! Thanks to Hallmark for another outstanding performance and to the wonderful cast! I appreciated the fact that God and prayer were given proper respect and significance. I also appreciated the way our human condition (sickness, broken relationships, death) was dealt with as being a part of life. Life isn't always fair and hard times come, but the way we deal with it speaks of character and faith and perseverance, and taking joy where we find it. This is one movie that I would actually buy and make a family tradition to watch. Thank you!

This is a superb film for the Christmas season. But, unless one usually has a supply of tissue on hand for this time of year, it is wise to be prepared before sitting down to watch "November Christmas." This is definitely a full box tissue movie for the ladies, and a hankie soaker for most men.

The movie goes at a very slow pace, but that's dictated by the story circumstances. Vanessa Marks is an 8-year-old girl who is being treated for cancer. And, some of the people in the rural New England town her family has moved to are hurting from their pasts. Nearly every scene is packed with emotion. I won't say more about the plot, but note that there are several smaller stories built into this one movie. And, it's done superbly.

Families that have experienced childhood or adult illnesses, especially, know the difficulties, the daily struggles, and the sadness. And, hopefully, most who have, also will have known the closeness, comfort and love that brings families and people together. My thanks to Greg Coppa, whose short story this film was based on. It shows how a child's cancer can bring out the best in people. And how it can lead to restoring friendships, healing personal hurts from similar losses, and neighborly caring and love.

The cast all are excellent in their performances. Especially worth noting is Emily Alyn Lind who plays Vanessa. Hallmark came up with a very different plot that makes this one of its "very best" Christmas movies of recent decades. It was filmed in Nova Scotia.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Claire Sanford, "Some women get diamonds. You shower me with pumpkins." Jess Sanford, "Got a bit carried away."

Jess Sanford, "I don't think anybody really knows if they're good at anything until they try it."