A Dream for Christmas

I hadn't heard of this made for TV movie before it aired on the Me TV channel during the holidays. While it's not a classic in its field, it does prove to be a pleasurable watch. It's interesting that the entire cast is made up of African-Americans, and equally interesting that these character and experiences have been almost totally written to be universal regardless of what your ethnicity might be. And while the central character is a preacher struggling to keep his church alive, the movie wisely doesn't lay on the religion thick - his words and actions are also universal to all viewers regardless of what your religion might be. If there is a criticism to be levelled at this movie, it is that there isn't enough plot for its 100 minute length - things progress at a pretty slow speed. Aside from that, this is a good movie for the entire family.

In 1950 Los Angeles, the struggling Hoover Street Baptist Church calls Rev. Will Douglas of Arkansas to serve as its pastor. With his wife Sarah, his mother Bessie, and his four children, Will crosses the country just before Christmas in his late father's 1941 Ford woody wagon, which just barely makes the trip.

The parsonage isn't much, but it's roomier than what the family had. They make every effort to appreciate what is good and not complain. Then Will gets the bad news: the church has no money to pay the mortgage or even his salary. Worse yet, developer George Briggs, who happens to be a former church member who now has faith only in the almighty dollar, is the one collecting for the mortgage, and he hasn't been paid in a year. Briggs wants to foreclose and build a shopping center where the church is.

Will tries to persuade Briggs to change his mind, but Briggs says few people are attending the church and there's no reason to keep it. Briggs is right about one thing; Will's family outnumbers the rest of the congregation on the first Sunday.

Will looks for other work, but in 1950 it was hard for a black man to find a job. Cleaning women are needed by Hollywoood celebrities, though, and despite his protests, Sarah and even Bessie are willing to do this. Older son Joey also finds work, though he makes the type of friend that he probably shouldn't have (peer pressure can work both ways, though).

The family is adjusting to their new circumstances, except for older sister Emmarine, who can't seem to make friends. Younger son Bradley worries that Santa Claus won't visit because the house has no chimney, but otherwise he and his other sister Becky are doing okay.

Will there be a Christmas miracle? Maybe, but it won't be easy. These are determined people, though.

This is the type of corny but inspiring movie we all enjoy at Christmas. I think the acting is good (especailly that of Beah Richards as Bessie), and there are plenty of lessons about family values and Christian values here. This is also a movie the whole family can watch.