The Christmas Bunny

This is a charming family film about a recently fostered young girl who has trouble communicating until she finds an injured rabbit.

The film explores the problem of loneliness through the eyes of both the young girl and an old lady who cares for injured animals. The film steers clear of the usual schmaltz served up in most Christmas movies and is realistic in it's portrayal of how children actually behave.

The script and performances of the cast are far above most made for TV movies. What struck me most was the cinematography which was superb. It seemed like a much higher budget film.

It's not a film that will change your life but it is more than worth a watch with the family in the run up to Christmas.

I usually hate movies like this, but I actually enjoyed this one. Probably because it was a little darker than I expected. Not as "uplifting" as a Hallmark movie, but not as melodramatic as standard Lifetime fare. The cinematography has a nice indie feel to it rather than a sterile TV movie look. I thought the gloomy Michigan winter nicely framed the uncertain financial prospects of the dad and also the isolation of the girl. Though I wish the relationship between the rabbit lady and the girl had been developed a lot more since they were both so emotionally shutdown. Nevertheless, Florence Henderson did a great job in a role that played against her usual chirpy persona. I actually didn't recognize her until I saw the credits.

This little-known Christmas movie is pretty cute. It comes off as a bit low-budget, mostly because the acting by most of the adults is less than impressive, but the little girl does a good job of playing the gloomy foster child in need of security and affection. Florence Henderson is also fun to watch.

All of the rabbit care described in the movie is surprisingly accurate. Whoever wrote the film obviously has experience with rabbits. They did a wonderful job of illustrating how sensitive these animals are, and that they frequently do not belong in the hands of young children, especially without some firm guidance.

There are some heavy Christian overtones in this movie. I am not religious, but that doesn't bother me in movies. However it is a bit silly/over-the-top at some moments.

This story is pretty refreshing; it confronts a lot of family issues that are not acknowledged in a lot of holiday movies. Definitely worth watching for animal-lovers, people with children who are animal-lovers, and pretty much anyone who can appreciate a simple, cute family movie.

I won't go into story or plot details. I will say this movie reveals enduring truths in an artful, unadorned way. It is thoughtfully written, well-acted, and beautifully filmed. Florence Henderson, in particular, is a joy to watch. The arcs of each character contribute to and reflect the theme. The theme concerns the ways in which we close or open ourselves to the power of love (both giving and accepting), and how that impacts our becoming fully who we are meant to be. Yes, it's a Christmas movie in a thematically serious way. The story is a call not to hold ourselves removed, self-concerned, isolated and separate from others. It's a meditation on the love of Christ for us, and a beckoning to open our hearts to the reality of that love, that we may respond to it, act on it, and be elevated and redeemed.

My wife and I were surprised by well done this movie really is. It deals with some pretty serious issues in an honest yet ultimately heartwarming way. Well worth watching.