The Christmas Sweater: A Return to Redemption (2009 TV Movie) User Reviews

Some people have no shame

[planetjeffy · 4 December 2009]

in stealing the public's hard earned money to satisfy their ego. I was dragged to this by my neighbor, who didn't tell me what we were going to see. This guy has not been to a movie in years and loves GB. We both walked out of the theater after 45 minutes. We left about 20 people behind.

For 25 of those 45 minutes, I was on my blackberry. This man has a very dark soul and it is all on the screen - paranoia, death, fear, weirdness. I don't know who they expect to see this film (not really a film). It comes from a kid's point of view, but it is way to dark for kids. It is way to juvenile for any adult I know. I guess if you like last part of Old Yeller, you might like this.

Poignant, powerful storytelling

[kit-140 · 10/10 · 18 December 2008]

Glenn Beck gave an excellent performance in this one-man show. We met him on our second date and watched this show as a treat to ourselves on our second-month wedding anniversary. His varied talents were on display as he brought the audience from laughter to tears and back again. This was much more of a dramatic performance than anything I have seen from him in the past. It could also be regarded as storytelling, as Glenn, who speaks in the character of a 12-year-old boy, also does the voices and mannerisms of the adults who interact with the youth, so that in the end it is a two-hour story conveyed by a single narrator. Anyone watching this would probably have to admit that Beck is a fine talent as an actor - one who could hold his own on the stage with most professionals in that field today. This is a show with a powerful, hard-to-forget message. It is clearly something close to Glenn Beck's heart as intimately walks the audience with him down a cracked path toward real hope.

Who couldn't LOVE this?

[twilightandpotter · 10/10 · 12 January 2023]

I'm insanely jealous of the monkeyshine who found it appropriate to not only walk out of a live performance of one of the best stories ever told, but who also had the audacity to claim that it's DARK?! Hmph! I think you need to crack a book, sir.

I WISH I could have been there! I give it 10 stars because honestly, Glen Beck is seriously talented. He was backed by a youth choir, which ALSO means they would've been amazing to hear, AND singing for the public takes courage!

I happened across the story by accident, and it was the best accident I made in years!

Granted, if you're a narcissist, or aren't as in tune with your emotional intelligence ...you might NOT enjoy this story - because it has real human emotions and elements in it; love, regret, despair, joy, humor, anger, acceptance, accountability, humility, forgiveness... By all means, if you have the capacity to understand these things?

Partake.

Timeless Story - The Meaning of Life

[ombrandon · 4 December 2009]

It's amazing how some, like the other reviewers, will take time out of their life to ... bash is the only word... such a phenomenal piece of work. The Christmas Sweater is a beautiful metaphor for anyone who will stand and face their own emotional challenges.

I think it's best viewed when your heart is open and in the Christmas Spirit, but it's by no means strictly a Christmas tale. Powerful. Timeless. No matter what your political convictions are, this movie is .... moving.

The vein that is the pulse of the movie is the understanding that each person is responsible for his/her own struggles in life and that no matter who your "Russel" is, your path must be taken by only one.

Beck's performance was astounding, not insomuch as he is even more than a decent actor- but rather in the obvious emotional toll the story takes on him as he tells it. During the movie, when he spoke about the death of his father (which is no secret), there could not have been a dry in the theater. His openness toward the challenging emotions invites, without asking, each viewer to relive any certain experience that has caused such grief. I think that it is only in this acceptance to truly allow some emotion that the redemption can truly be felt.