MOVIE REVIEW
A Dog Named Christmas
A Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas Movie
Network: CBS
Original Air Date: Sunday, November 29, 2009
CAST:
Bruce Greenwood ... George McCray
Linda Emond ... Mary Ann McCray
Noel Fisher ... Todd McCray
Sonja Bennett ... Hannah McCray
Nathaniel Baptiste ... Soldier
Derek J. Finnik ... Soldier
Carrie Genzel ... Brianna Lewis
Wesley MacInnes ... Young George
Joel Mamchur ... Soldier
Andrew J. Nagy ... Soldier
Carrie Ruscheinsky ... Hailey
PLOT:
from Hallmark-
This holiday movie tells the tale of a developmentally challenged young man, with a penchant for caring for animals in need, who sets out to convince his family - and their whole rural community - to participate in a local shelter's inaugural "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program."
Todd McCray (Fisher), a responsible and developmentally challenged 20-year-old, lives on a farm in Kansas with his loving parents, George (Greenwood) and Mary Ann (Emond). Both Mary Ann and George are forever inspired and impressed by the upbeat Todd, who assists with numerous chores on the farm and is known for regularly rescuing and nursing wounded wild animals back to health. George often describes Todd as having "his own way of thinking about things." However, Todd's way of thinking ends up clashing with George's when a radio promotion for the local animal shelter's first-ever "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program" - which entails caring for a dog during Christmas week, with the option of keeping the dog for good - creates a keen desire in Todd to adopt a lonely pup for the holiday.
Though George stubbornly opposes the idea, Todd's special gifts of persuasion result in their bringing home a yellow Labrador, whom Todd names "Christmas" and bonds with immediately. Todd soon makes it his mission to ensure that all of the shelter's numerous caged dogs are brought into friendly homes for the holiday, and he uses creative and persistent means of inspiring the families in his community to do their part.
Movie Review:
This movie was sweet and heartwarming. The story centered around a young developmentally challenged man, Todd, (20 years old) who desperately wants a dog, and his father, who desperately doesn't want anything to with dogs and the sad memories they bring him from his past.
The best scene to me - was when all of the family came together to celebrate an early Christmas. I kept hoping there would be more scenes with the entire family - they were all so sweet together - the two brothers... teasing one another, the two sisters... chatting away, and the grandchildren, of course, were so adorable!
The story stays focused on Todd and his relationship with the dog he takes in for Christmas, ironically also named Christmas, by the boy.... and his desire to get more dogs adopted before Christmas.
SPOILER:
The father, though tormented by his past memories (during childhood and the Vietnam War) with dogs, overcomes his feelings, and eventually comes around and lets his son keep the dog. It seems the Mother had no say in the matter here, though she desperately wants to keep the dog, too. That didn't seem fair to me.
Fortunately, everything worked out, and after all, there was a Happy Hallmark ending!
See or Skip:
If you are a dog lover, then you should see this movie.
This Movie is available on DVD,
Click Here to Order.
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