People are voting emotionally.

Great Film overall

Good concept, poorly executed.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Noel Fisher deserved an Oscar for his performance in this truly superb family drama.My wife and I recently watched this movie and loved it, and we are going to watch it again over Christmas.Noel Fisher's performance was an Oscar Winner. Uplifting. Everything about this movie was uplifting.I had never heard of Noel Fisher until I saw this movie. I am not saying anything about this movie. Suffice to say that Noel Fisher's performance was truly fantastic.If you reading this, don't like this film for any reason, you neither have a heart, or a soul.And no, I'm not joking.Sentimentality is frowned on today in the so called civilized Western World.Grown men will want cry when they watch Noel Fisher's performance. If you do cry, don't feel ashamed. I didn't feel ashamed.Noel Fisher if your reading this, well done.

This was a typical Hallmark Hall of Fame movie: warm, fuzzy, slice-of-life Americana, and I think everyone pretty much knew how it was going to end. Nothing wrong with that, however; we all need a certain amount of that to keep our spirits up. I liked that it wasn't too formulaic--you know, the crusty, closed-down father who really loves his son but can't show it, etc. That wasn't the case here. Bruce Greenwood's character kept a few things close to his vest (Vietnam, the loss of his dogs), but he was certainly not closed down, and was capable of giving and showing affection. Clearly he had a stable, loving family. I loved his relationship with his son, the way he would tease him and the son's mock-indignant responses, which both knew were all part of the game, and the matter-of-fact way he and his wife raised him: firm but loving, realizing he had special needs but not wanting to coddle him too much (a little overprotective at times, perhaps, but who wouldn't be?). The scene where they get out of the car to walk to the shelter and Todd holds his father's hand--not out of physical need but out of love--was one of those little moving touches throughout the movie.I also liked the fact that Todd was completely accepted, not only by his family (even his young nieces and nephews), but also by his rural community. Everyone treated him with respect and affection without forgetting that he was developmentally challenged. There was no doubt that he was the way he was because of his loving home life. Yet he wasn't cloying because he wasn't perfect (hated to clean his room, for example).And Noel Fisher deserves a lot of credit for his performance. I'd seen him in "Law and Order Special Victims Unit" where he played a really creepy psychopath and I barely recognized him as the same actor. He was able to capture the sweetness and simplicity of Todd without being condescending or going over the top: the wonderment in the eyes, the way his mouth hesitated sometimes before speaking as he tried to process what was going on, even the way he moved, like a child in a man's body. I loved the fact that he was so uninhibited about showing happiness and affection. I wonder if the actor knew or studied such people in real life, because he seemed to understand so many subtle aspects of how they behave--but all done very respectfully and realistically.I tend to be wary of sentimental made-for-TV movies in general, but I have to say I was pleased with this one, predictable though it was.

The movie is AWESOME, as is typical for Hallmark movies and commercials, however, the movie is almost ruined by one scene!!!!! Why in the world did the Director, Cinematographer and Film Editor allow a HUGE (Not subtle!) mistake to go uncorrected! Christmas's handler is visible for several seconds through the window of the pickup truck as George, Todd and Christmas leave the Animal Shelter. I can't remember another Hallmark Movie containing such an 'obvious' gaff in filming! I hope this is the last error of this magnitude that we will ever see again! Please, I hope that you continue to maintain the quality that we have grown to love and expect in these productions!!! PS - I would agree with other comments....As a veteran, I appreciate your reference to Viet Nam, but, if you are going to portray Viet Nam in images....KEEP IT REAL....NOT CHEESY!

Just watched this film and had to look it up, because I really enjoyed it.Had to laugh, though, at the comment from sdquinn2-1, who claimed Bruce Greenwood was "too young" to have played a Viet Nam Vet. Excuse me? He's an actor, and a good one. He could probably portray someone of 80 with the right makeup. My husband is 57 and would, but for the grace of God, have been a Viet Nam Vet. He looks so much like Bruce Greenwood's character in this film, they could have played brothers. Kudos to Hallmark's casting director for getting it right. So many assume these Vet's are ALL like the guys on skid row holding signs that say, "Will Work For Food" then drinking whatever cash they receive. Hallmark did a great service to all the good looking, law abiding Vets who did serve, and continue to serve their communities as Ham Radio operators, Boy Scout leaders, and in many other volunteer efforts. Some of these men are still quite handsome. Perhaps some magazine should have a "Hottest Viet Nam Vet" contest. I could nominate several men. ;) The stamp may not have been a mistake either. Families who had APO addresses were able to send letters directly to their servicemen and women, but girlfriends (like me) often had to send letters through regular mail to our serviceman's family, and have them forwarded to the trooper. I bought plenty of postage stamps to mail letters to my friends serving in Viet Nam. All this aside, Sdquinn, the film was based on a book. Was the lead character in the book a Viet Nam War Vet? Authors hate to have their stories changed too much just to simplify a film.Thanks, Hallmark, for once again providing excellent family films. I wish you'd make one about a talented opera singer, and cast my daughter. ;) /nm1965004/