In this movie a couple with a five-year old daughter move into a rich widow's house as caretakers. The father is busy building a business -- too busy according to some. His employer seeks to lead him to awareness of that situation.
Richard Thomas does rather too good a job of playing against type as a real jerk. His dodges his daughter, argues with his wife about how little time he can spend at home, and often takes a sarcastic manner with Mary, the rich widow lady.
The real treat here is Maureen O'Sullivan, a favorite of ours. She occasionally displays the fire that made her so unique in her younger days. And I've always liked Annette O'Toole, who plays the wife.
We were a bit nervous starting this film, as we'd recently seen the Richard Thomas vehicle where he was trapped with Santa, et al, at the North Pole. That movie was terrible, and in large part due to off-target acting by our favorite John-Boy.
This movie redeemed his hand at a Christmas story. While I thought the story could have been deeper and could have showed hints of his awakening a bit sooner, it was touching and well worth the watch.
Recommended.
Richard Thomas does rather too good a job of playing against type as a real jerk. His dodges his daughter, argues with his wife about how little time he can spend at home, and often takes a sarcastic manner with Mary, the rich widow lady.
The real treat here is Maureen O'Sullivan, a favorite of ours. She occasionally displays the fire that made her so unique in her younger days. And I've always liked Annette O'Toole, who plays the wife.
We were a bit nervous starting this film, as we'd recently seen the Richard Thomas vehicle where he was trapped with Santa, et al, at the North Pole. That movie was terrible, and in large part due to off-target acting by our favorite John-Boy.
This movie redeemed his hand at a Christmas story. While I thought the story could have been deeper and could have showed hints of his awakening a bit sooner, it was touching and well worth the watch.
Recommended.