Christmas Oranges

I was really looking forward to our family watching this movie together for Christmas. Several years ago I had come across a touching story called "A Christmas Orange." As soon as I saw this movie playing on cable, and read the synopsis, I knew it must be derived from that same short story that I had read.

The basic meaning of the movie is the same as Fred C Lemon's short story, although there was a big difference in that the main character of the written story was a mischievous orphan boy named Jack, and in this movie, the main character is a sweet orphan girl named Rose.

Rose being left at an orphanage as a baby is a kind-hearted, responsible girl. After being moved from the only home she's known, Rose has to adjust to a more regimented residence, bullies, and an overbearing headmaster. Though tested at every turn, she never sways from her true kind nature, and she sets an example of love and forgiveness for everyone.

The movie is noticeably a lower budget film with so-so writing, directing and acting, but the story is precious. Bailee Johnson was adorable in the role of Rose. Edward Herrmann (Oz, Gilmore Girls, The Lost Boys) played cranky Mr. Crampton and held his own.

Although this film is written, directed and produced by Christians/Mormons, the film doesn't get preachy at all. This heart- warming, story is basically about hope, compassion, and forgiveness, and it is a great movie for the entire family. Dec 2014 (5 stars for the production, 9 for the story/moral = a 7-star rating in my Humble Opinion)

A beautiful, touching movie, that captures the true spirit of what Christmas should be all about.

What an example Rose is. Always patient and loving despite such trials. I always enjoy watching it at Christmas.

This is the story of Rose, a young orphan who narrates some of the story. It takes place in the early years of the 20th century, when state-run orphanages were often little more than holding tanks for unwanted children.

Rose was one of the lucky ones. She lived at Greenwoods, where the kindly Mrs. Hartley (Nancy Stafford), treated all the girls as if they were her children. But then came the epidemic of 1918, and the death of Mrs. Hartley. The girls were scattered among local homes and some, like Rose, were taken in by other orphanages.

Her new home was called Irongates and was run by the stern Mr. Crampton (Edward Herrmann). There she finds both friends and enemies. She has difficulty adapting to the strict rules of Irongates. But Rose never loses her inner spirit.

The story finds comparison with "Annie" or "Heidi". Its main flaw is the dialogue of some children, which often feels unauthentic, too adult to be realistic. But Rose is an interesting character to watch.

I doubt that most viewers will know anyone other than Edward Herrmann and Nancy Stafford from Christmas Roses. Still it's a wonderful family film produced it looks like under Mormon auspices.

The two are the heads of a pair of orphanages the girl who grows up to be Bailee Michelle Johnson is placed. They couldn't be more opposite in their approach. Stafford kind of reminds me of Greer Garson when she played Edna Gladney in Blossoms In The Dust. The baby named Rose is just left on the door of her orphanage and she's just taken no questions asked. In fact Stafford because she came as an infant just regards her as her own.

But in what looks like an influenza epidemic many of the kids died and so does Stafford. The survivors are either adopted or scattered to other orphanages. And Johnson comes under the care of Edward Herrmann, a most strict man who is all about the rules.

Johnson who took her life lessons from Stafford turns out to be tougher than you would think. She not only takes a lot of buffeting, but she also softens a few hearts as well.

I agree with the other reviewer in that Christmas Oranges even under religious auspices never gets preachy. It's a nice family film and should be seen.