Christmas Cottage (2008) Reviews

• A movie like a Kinkade picture

  rboon334552010-01-09

  This is a movie which is sure to divide people. It is based on the early life of Thomas Kinkade, "the painter of light". It is a story of the sources of his inspiration: his mentor,and how the difficulties faced by his mother provided a motivation through which he began to find himself.Its weakness is that it isn't sure of its own purpose.It is certainly not a biography or a Christmas movie in the ordinary sense and its comedic moments often miss the mark.In many ways it is like a Kinkade picture: a little sugary and sentimental yet with a warmth and humanity that can touch our hopes for a world where we all have a place and where everything comes out alright in the end However,it it isn't grounded in the reality of the world as we know it. The script is very uneven,occasionally very hammy,yet produces some fine moments. Peter o' Toole's performance as Tom's mentor, rapidly approaching dotage and a loss of his powers is a fine one and justifies a viewing.I also enjoyed the background music.Not for anyone who shrinks from sentimentality.

• A sumptuous production worth seeing!

  Len98762008-11-16

  This film, co-produced by Thomas Kinkade, is as beautiful, natural, and true-to-life as his paintings. Michael Campus, the director provides a breathtaking and memorable reminder of the Christmases of old. This, in addition to the capable writing of Ken LaZebnik, adds to the color of the Christmas story. Jared Padalecki (Thomas Kinkade), who provided a great deal of the emotion and feel of the movie, is a gifted actor. He shows much promise, and it is hoped that a brilliant and long acting career is in his future. Peter O'Toole (Glen Wessler), another gifted and sensitive actor, provides 'the light' for this and many superb performances. Mr. O'Toole is probably best remembered for his award- winning performance in "Lawrence of Arabia". And, it is always good to see Charlotte Rae and Ed Asner, who greatly add to this and many winning performances. Marcia Gay Harden's inner beauty, and outer loveliness, come through in this film. This is a feel-good movie, which does present like a Hallmark Christmas card, but I think that this quality only adds to the presentation. Thomas Kinkade has his own unique style, a brilliance that increasingly illuminates his work. This, along with the spirit of Christmas, makes this film worth seeing. There is empowerment in the story--which, in my opinion, makes this movie deserving of no less than a 10 out of 10. Enjoy the film, and see it with someone you love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

• The light behind the success

  merrywood2009-05-11

  Thomas Kinkade's Home for Christmas is an old fashioned film, yes. It fits very well with Kinkade's art; indeed, the film is a wise nod to his magical paintings. Much like his work it can draw cynics and negative, self-proclaimed pundits like a magnet draws iron filings. The story is essentially the inspiration behind Kinkade's central work and his raison d'être…how it all came to be. For many of us, especially those puzzled by the scribbling and bizarre compositions that pass for abstract art…work that must come while the artist has his tongue deeply embedded into his cheek, and further, work that can be analyzed and described in 1,000 different ways, each a product of the imagination… the charm of the alternative Kinkade depictions of the dream-like reality of a place where the heart wants to be is a respite and a place for us to rest in this weary, war-torn world of endless crime and violence. As a filmmaker and writer of some note I found the production a bit uneven but then there were moments that were spot-on and in the balance the film succeeds very well. The cast is fine, the production values are very acceptable and the story, which could have used a bit more imagination and forward thrust, ends well and succeeds to give the film its reason for being. The story of how Thomas Kinkade obtained his gift is fine but there's a far more salient, exciting and bigger story to be told because the man happens to be one of the most successful creative commercial artists ever produced by Americana. We look forward to that story on film, perhaps with a bigger budget, more exciting production values and a stronger script. There is nothing that pleases the American (and perhaps to a greater degree today) world audiences… like the story of success up from the bottom rung of the ladder.

• Pure Schlock

  derekph-12013-11-23

  Like some other reviewers here, I was lured into watching this by Peter O'Toole's participation. But the name in the title - Thomas Kinkade - and the channel I saw it on - Hallmark - say it all. It's pure schlock - trite, hackneyed, predictable, blatantly sentimental, ponderously slow, heavy-handed, and manipulative. If you like Kinkade's paintings, you'll probably love this show. If, like me, you consider Kinkade's paintings trash, you should avoid this program. I watched the first twenty minutes, and was astounded how bad it was - the mournful voice-over narration telegraphed sadness ahead, the characters and dialogue were clichéd, the story was so blatantly obvious I knew how it would end at once. The script was dreadful, the acting wooden. I fast forwarded, stopping to watch short segments, and it got worse. I watched the ending, just to assure myself I hadn't underestimated the show - alas, it was even worse than I expected, an ending so sappy and morose it was pathetic. O'Toole's performance is really no worse than anyone else's, but I expect a lot of him, so it was really embarrassing to watch him humiliate himself and let his fans down this way. Don't get me wrong - I like a bit of cheap sentimentality now and then, especially this time of year. I enjoy a good tear-jerker, if it's well done. I like A Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas, and A Christmas Carol, and especially Bad Santa. I just like it done with a little skill, not cranked out like cotton candy. BTW, one of my favorite Christmas tear-jerkers is The Christmas Tree (1969), with William Holden and Virna Lisi. They used to run it on TV every Christmas, but I guess it's too old now. If you can find it, and like a good cry, give it a try. I still get teary-eyed when I hear the guitar theme - "Romance" by Narciso Yepes, composed originally for the film "Jeux Interdits."

• Christmas Enchantment

  mcdougaller2008-11-25

  The sorts of ready disparagements this movie will attract?Is it too full of swiftly drawn caricatures? Too relentlessly brave? Too syrupy sweet? Too anticipatable? Too small town? May all films be so lucky. Director Michael Campus, is a humanist. He allows himself to be known for the divine sentimentalist he is on the DVD Special Features and film commentary (joined by the artist of enchantment himself, Thomas Kinkade, whose reminiscences infuse the stuff of real life), all of which should be carefully viewed and heard. I immersed myself in this heartening film like a hot tub! Charlotte Rae does not appear to be listed in the cast on IMDb - an oversight or am I going blind? She stole every scene she was in! What a trouper, what a mobile face, what a voice! Playing Vesta, the church organist, she is fabulous! Don't miss her Christmas comment in the Special Features section - she radiates the Christmas spirit - and she's Jewish! ;-) What's so compelling about this film are the outright love, tears and camaraderie out of which it was born. That the story is TRUE makes it, perhaps, awkward to make it all-inclusive of those memories. I have a Thomas Kinkade print (not an original, of course, since I, too, am on an "early Maryanne budget") of a rainy street scene, which, with a jolt, I thought I recognized in front of the the mother's place of employment. Could this be? Kinkade's early struggles along the way are the grist of this warm-hearted seasonal movie which illuminates the cherished Illuminator in a most moving way. Jared Padalecki, a gorgeous young actor, carries the film, or, better, soars with this film on youthful wings with so many older, more experienced thespians of obvious renown. Such a nuanced and tender performance! He is bound to become a household word. Marcia Gay Harden - as Kinkade's mother, Maryanne - is luminous. I have seen such as Juliet Binoche in "Chocolat" playing selfless women, but Marcia Gay is right up there with the Living Saints! This is the way people should treat one another in this world. The real Maryanne, we learn, lives very near her son Thomas today and basks in the successes of both her boys: Patrick (very well-portrayed by the fresh-faced Aaron Ashmore and Thomas. Obviously, all Maryanne's sacrifice and hard work came to grand fruition. Richard Burgi is commendable and markedly original in his embodiment of the absent Kinkade father, who might have been treated vengefully, since he abandoned the family when the brothers were but small boys. Instead of rancor, this family shows him acceptance and love in later life. Burgi's performance captures,Thomas Kinkade says, the idiosyncrasies of their madcap father. He's a kick. Peter O'Toole? What can you say? Tried and true, he shines like a Christmas Star in anything he touches. And as Glen Wessels - the generous artist who, as Fate would have it, happens to settle near the Kinkades' rundown cottage - he mentors the young Thomas. Jewels of languid British cadence fall from O'Toole's gifted lips. He offers guidance, wisdom, and, with trembling dignity, rescue. I was moved to tears several times during these remarkable scenes. Geoffrey Lewis gave such a winning performance as a grief-stricken father who has lost his son in battle. He melts the heart. Lewis's face, so open and guileless, suspends any reservation or disbelief and sustains the movie magic. Chris Elliott, in a Fezziwig topknot, takes and runs with the role of Ernie, the Chamber of Commerce guy who is into publicizing the town via japes, loud ties, and hustle. He is too perfect. Ed Asner as the agent? Solid as granite and manly as a bull. What a cast, what a cast! How was it gotten together? The work that went into this labor of love - initiated by a chance meeting of the Campuses and Kinkades at a Carmel, California restaurant! Such serendipity makes believers of us all - nice guys CAN finish first. I can't list all the players (each so perfectly fitted into a glowing Christmas mosaic), my time is up. Try to see this one at Christmastime and linger over it, as I did, so gratefully.