Amour paternel

Based on a book of the same name, 'Me and Luke' also goes by the title 'A Dad for Christmas'. As the alternative title suggests, this story unapologetically centres on family issues, in a wholesome way.

Well-crafted family dynamics focus on the lives of a newborn baby Luke and his young parents. Each main character shines sufficiently to make their motivations clear. Matt Bessing (Kristopher Turner) is the young 19 year-old student father. However, Megan Eubanks (Emma Taylor-Isherwood), the mother, decides college and career is her destiny, not the newborn whom she alone now chooses to give away for adoption. People's lives forever change, and Pam (Lindsay Ames, of Metropia; Gossip; and The Vow) steps into Matt's life. She too has mapped out her own future, away from the small American town where the events unfurl. Louise Fletcher and Jack Shepherd feature as doting grandparents Glennie and Bert (a retired attorney who warmly gives Matt encouragement to do the right thing) amidst a major legal problem concerning Luke's custody.

There are no fireworks, just healthy family interplay – of the kind often missing in busy modern life – though the film's only rogue, Benson, has other devious ideas. Under Eleanor Lindo's directorship warmth wins the day without allowing the film to nosedive into unnecessary cheesy schmaltz. Lindo's entire directorial career is in TV movie-making. Consequently, the situation and characters are always believable and draw you right in. Both titles are somewhat misleading, as the film would be better called 'Pass the Baby' and Christmas is incidental.

Begins well, develops at a steady pace, ends suitably, and makes a worthwhile watch.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST

Matt, a 19-year-old student, goes to the hospital to see his newborn son. He learns his girlfriend plans to put the baby up for adoption without his consent, so he takes his son to his grandmother's house to fight for custody. Keep in mind this wasn't really a "Christmas Movie".

This film shows us "IT'S OKAY TO KIDNAP" a child. He did not have legal custody. The film is cast with capable actors but the actors are not given a screenplay worthy of their talents. If you looking to watch a Christmas theme film then this isn't the movie for you. In fact this film should be shown in film classes on why TV-movies are bad.

Like must TV-movies this one is terrible.

Unable to find a job, handsome young Kristopher Turner (as Matthew "Matt" Blessing) is nonetheless happily planning to be a father. However, blonde girlfriend Emma Taylor-Isherwood (as Megan Eubanks) declines his marriage proposals and intends to put their baby up for adoption. Faced with losing his child, Mr. Turner decides to take matters into his own hands. In real life, Turner's character would be swiftly hunted down and throw in prison for doing what he contemplates in this film. This story take a fantastical different track. It's more inspirational than accurate. Obviously, the world would be better if more prospective fathers were like the one covered here; this is the film's thesis, and it's a good one...

"A Dad for Christmas" is based on the young adult novel "Me and Luke" (1987), by Audrey O'Hearn. The adaptation, by Alan Hines, is very well done. He and director Eleanor Lindo take a distinct character and make him suitable for a TV Movie screen – and for the lead actor, who is believable despite being older and more instantly employable than the scruffy 17-year-old in the book. Lucky to have a good production team, Turner is consistently sincere. Led by a lovely late-career role for Louise Fletcher (as Glennie), the supporting cast does well. This may not be how events often happen in reality, but it's how they could. Babies should start lives with fathers who want them as much as we see here.

****** A Dad for Christmas (12/3/06) Eleanor Lindo ~ Kristopher Turner, Louise Fletcher, Jack Shepherd, Lindsay Ames

I loved it, I really loved it! I just got done watching it on my tape + now I have to clean up all the wet tissues from around me. Kristopher Turner was a good choice for the lead. Louise Fletcher was a seasoned "gramma" + went from hard-nosed to warm + caring during the movie. I'm a baby person, I love + watch anything that has to do with babies. I also thought at the end that I wish I had had a "Matt" for a father. So loving + caring. That baby will never miss love like so many of us have. Shame there aren't more Matt's in the world! He was a really good actor. I realized it especially when the social worker took Luke away. I thought Matt's heart was going to break just by the look on his face! I'll give it a 10!!

I caught this movie at around 8pm on the movies24 channel. I don't know what drew me in, but from the opening credits you somehow realise this is going to be a 'little gem' and it was. Basically its about finding out who you are and the consequences that has on the others around you; coming of age; rites of passage; etc, but this one is very good especially I suppose because we hear so much about fathers reneging on their responsibilities and the people who never knew who their father was etc etc, that a film like this, tries to show us another side of the whole 'unwanted pregnancy' conundrum.

I don't want to say too much else about the plot because you should all see this film if you get the chance.

Another point, if family rifts have touched your life, then this film will make you cry and cry....I think the greatest message communicated in this film is not in the dialogue, but in the Pinteresque loaded silences between the dialogue and all these actors are ideally suited to that kind of intelligent non-verbal communication.

I don't think I had ever seen this particular young Canadian actor before. Kristopher Turner is a face to watch and I hope he breaks onto the big screen soon. He may want to consider getting a new agent if this doesn't happen soon as he is a wasted asset. The guy has everything for crying out loud and he's 6'.....(move over Mr Cruise!!!)