There's something very special about this movie due to its themes of family, forgiveness, and facing one's mortality over the Christmas holiday. While the story carries these heavy and depressing themes, it is visually beautiful, filled with the sights and activities of a traditional Midwest Christmas, and its moving score by John Barry sets the perfect mood. The story begins shortly before Christmas when the stubborn and often abrasive Adam Thornton, played with perfection by Ed Asner, unexpectedly learns from his long-time doctor and friend that he has mere months to live. While Adam is a successful, self-made business man, he is estranged from his wife and four adult children. But with the eventual help of wife Kate, played by the wonderful Maureen Stapleton, a special family Christmas gathering is planned by her so Adam can hopefully repair the damaged relationships with his children. But can he do so without telling them his bad news? He is determined to do so, in hopes that reconciliation with each of them is genuine rather than done out of pity. Each of his children have resentments or issues that will get in the way. The entire cast is excellent in this unique Christmas movie and are compelling in their roles.
The Thornton family's Christmas, despite all of its dysfunction and drama, is not something I want to miss as I make my own preparations for the holiday so I find myself watching it every December. It's that special of a Christmas movie.
The Thornton family's Christmas, despite all of its dysfunction and drama, is not something I want to miss as I make my own preparations for the holiday so I find myself watching it every December. It's that special of a Christmas movie.