A Hobo's Christmas

I love this story! It is so simple but strikingly true at the same time. With all the classic holiday movie elements such as estrangement of family, pride, humility, sadness, joy and love in every form. I believe the actors are real and the life of a hobo, the "traveling homeless", is something that my children were unaware of. The scenery of Salt Lake City in winter is beautiful and feels as cold on the screen as I'm sure it is. This was a TV movie and thus the levels of excellence that some people expect from every film is unrealistic. My test of good Holiday fare is does it make you feel good or inspired after you've watched it? This cute little movie does both for me!

This is a great flick from the 80s. Not sure why people are saying its "dated" as if movies didn't exist until now 🙄. It has some funny parts, but more of a drama. Although this is a great family Christmas movie it would be better for older kids due to it being more of a serious film. I would highly recommend it.

Chance (Barnard Hughes) has been a terrible father. Twenty-five years ago, he abandoned his family and traveled the country doing odd jobs and riding the rails. Now, all these years later, Chance has arrived in Salt Lake City in order to see his widower son, Charlie (Gerald McRaney), and his grandchildren. Not surprisingly, Charlie is shocked and angry when Chance arrives...and tells him to stay out of his life. But Charlie's girlfriend is a bit of a meddler and she helps convince Charlie to look for his father and invite him home for Christmas.

The biggest reason I decided to watch this is because of Barnard Hughes. While many folks today haven't heard of him, he was a terrific actor on stage and on television. His talents made me want to see the movie. And fortunately, I was not disappointed as the film turned out to be terribly well acted, directed and enjoyable. It's a very nice holiday treat.

"A Hobo's Christmas" is a very nice made for TV film, though I have a few comments about the plot before I conclude my review. As a trained therapist and someone who has had a couple extremely toxic family members in my life, the story's message of forgiveness and reconciliation is one I like but also one that has some caveats. If you've had some horrible people in your life who have deliberately harmed you and have done nothing to make amends, this film does NOT apply to you. Keeping dangerous and evil people out of your life is a good thing...not something to feel guilty about...particularly if you have children. So while some families can reconcile like they did in the movie, and that's a nice thing, don't let the story push you into opening up yourself to being hurt. If a person hurt you and showed no serious signs of dramatic change, or if they abused you in ways that simply defy forgiveness, don't watch the film or at least beware that its message does not apply to you Ugly, hurtful people should not be allowed back in your life just to hurt you again.

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.

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.