A Dog Named Christmas

I could go on and on about some of the things people have written but it would be silly. The simple fact is this is a perfect family film. If you love dogs, you will love this. It is actually pretty deep and well thought out. But, even the hardest person will tear up at points because this is a very passionate film. If you don't like dogs, you may not get this. If you live in the country, love dogs, have kids, you will love this. I mean, really love this. Life changing film? Maybe. While the theme of the movie is missed in the first part of the film, it is really developed over the last half of the film. The father figure is an incredibly deep character that is very hard to understand until the end of the film. The mom is perfect and the learning disabled young man plays his role perfectly. Give it a couple hours, you won't be sorry you watched this!

I thoroughly, enjoyed this movie. The actors/actresses did a wonderful job, in their characterization. It is just so nice, that Hallmark makes and shows family orientated movies, so that, any age group can watch.

I was especially, impressed with Todd the son, the father and mother. Neil Foster did an awesome acting job, as Todd, who is mentally challenged and his acting was totally believable. Bruce Greenwood was superb as the father. However, I must admit, I seem to always like Greenwood's films. Linda Emond was wonderful as the mother. She captured the right essence of motherhood, who has a child that is mentally challenged, protective, yet, does not coddle.

I could go on and on, about this wonderful, feel good movie ... However, I can only hope that, those who haven't seen it yet, give this movie a chance, by watching it. For those, who have seen it, I bet you watch it, almost every time it comes on. I know that, I do.

Am not somebody who hates Christmas or has a bias against made for television Christmas films. The complete opposite on both counts and have made that clear more than once and will continue to do so if necessary. Evident from a number of positive reviews for the Christmas output of Hallmark and Lifetime. The premise for 'A Dog Named Christmas' did sound quite interesting and seemed at times like it was trying to do something a little different and had a more serious subject compared to Hallmark today.

Over the past two years or so, my Christmas film completest quest (made up for primarily those from Hallmark and Lifetime) has been very interesting but also hit and miss. Some were very charming, easy to digest and lovely watches with good casts. Others were very dull, cheesy, too sentimental and badly written and acted. 'A Dog Named Christmas' is in the former category, though it is far from perfect or quite my definition of a great film but it is the complete opposite of a dog.

Maybe a little slow to begin with.

Did feel that the music at times could have been toned down and used more sparingly.

However, 'A Dog Named Christmas' does so much right and the best aspects are pretty brilliant. What is especially good is the poignant and brave performance of Noel Fisher, seldom better as a very relatable and inspirational character that resonated with me on a personal level. Bruce Greenwood is also movingly understated and Linda Edmond does sympathetic compassionately. Loved the honesty of the cast chemistry and that the characters were so relatable with very realistic feelings that are true to life for anybody in the same position or similar.

Furthermore, 'A Dog Named Christmas' looks good. The scenery is truly attractive and photographed with a lot of love. The script is cohesive and doesn't come over as awkward, it also takes itself seriously without being dreary and the sentimentality doesn't become too much. The story is pretty conventional, but its endless charm, its good nature and warm heart more than more up for that. As well as how tactfully and touchingly it handled a serious and very relatable subject that connected me personally, as someone who has disabilities too. Same with the very honest and never preachy messaging, messaging that is also relevant and important.

In conclusion, very well done. 8/10.

The movie begins with a voice I believe to be George McCray narrating, following the adventures of a dog who won't stay in one place, but has to keep going until he finds the perfect home he was meant to have.

In the community of Crossing Trails, Kansas, George's farm has been in the family for many generations. His wife Mary Ann teaches at a local school. They have four children; all except 20-year-old Todd have grown up and moved out. Todd is disabled but seems very capable and responsible.

The local animal shelter wants people to adopt dogs just for the Christmas season, to give the shelter employees a break. Todd, who raised sheep for 4H, is very excited about the idea, but George doesn't want him to have a dog. He believes Todd will want to keep the dog after Christmas, which of course the shelter employees hope some people will do. George has had dogs, as we see in flashbacks, but for some reason he is very opposed to the idea of having another one. Perhaps it has something to do with what happened to Charlie, who was his canine companion for a time as he served in Vietnam.

George finally gives in and lets Todd have a dog, but he makes it clear the dog will be Todd's responsibility. Todd goes to the shelter and looks at many dogs before he finally finds THE ONE. Someone has trained this dog well; he responds to the usual commands. He has no name yet, so Todd names him Christmas and takes him home.

Todd's two brothers are married and celebrate Christmas with their wives' families, so the big family Christmas, which includes some friends who are not relatives, takes place several days early. Todd, his parents and his sister Hannah will have a smaller celebration on the big day. For the early event, the various families show up and have a good time before finally sitting down at the table in a real Norman Rockwell scene.

And what happens next is pretty amazing.

We all know how this movie will probably end, but it will be a lot of fun getting there, with all the twists and turns and doubts about whether it really will end the way we think.

Noel Fisher does a wonderful job. Todd has been taught to be responsible, and unlike most TV children, he really is. He's easy to like and everyone in the movie likes him. No one treats him as if he is disabled, and sometimes it seems as if he is not.

Bruce Greenwood is very good as a loving but stern father who wants his son to succeed and won't coddle him. George knows the value of hard work and what it takes to run a farm, and even though we see his injury in Vietnam still bothers him, it doesn't stop him from doing anything.

Many of the leading actors also do a very good job. That includes the dog, of course.

This is a movie the whole family can watch, as are most Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations. There are a couple of scenes that might bother younger children, one in Vietnam and one in the present day, but neither scene is that bad.

It's a wonderful holiday film.

Hallmark as done it again. This was a wonderful first Christmas movie for the 2009 year and I intend to purchase the DVD.

I turned off the lights, turned on the Christmas tree lights, and my wife, our two sons and I sat, caught up in this wonderful, heart-touching story.

Of course, the Hallmark commercials were an added touch.

Yes, I'm sentimental and go for these types of things...but I'm not ashamed.

The young man who played the young boy was so dead-on in his portrayal.

The mom and dad were spectacular in their portrayal as well.

Thank you Hallmark, for this wonderful presentation.