Happy holidays! Some special films to savor

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:46

The holidays are a special time for families to share. Watching movies together – especially those with “nutritional value” – can be a lot of fun and offer good opportunities to talk. So this year, when you look for a movie to enjoy with your family, reach beyond the obvious titles for the lessons some lesser known movies can teach. For every It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34^th Street there are other worthwhile films serving nutritious entertainments. Here are a few suggestions.

“Good Deeds Are Remembered”. At holiday team, we can all benefit from remembering the importance of small actions we take. In White Christmas, Bing Crosby brings joy to the life of a retired Major General from World War II, along with a fresh coat of snow on Christmas Eve. This Irving Berlin musical from 1954 also helps us remember that, when we cannot sleep, we should count our blessings instead of sheep.

“Even Mean Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks.” In Scrooge, Albert Finney creates a marvelously sinister Ebenezer who simply wants to make everyone around him miserable. The joys of the season are initially irrelevant to this miser; he simply wants to make and count money and sacrifices family and friends to get richer. The ghosts of his old age visit him on Christmas Eve, show him the errors of his ways, and hope to convince him to make some positive life changes. While there are other versions of this Dickens story, this one sings and dances with the best of them.

“Families Have Their Moments.” In The Family Stone, the luminous Diane Keaton is the mother we all wish we knew as she cares for her family at what may be their last holiday together. When one of her sons brings home his girlfriend – the marvelous Sarah Jessica Parker –the family confronts how isolating their well-intentioned traditions may have become. This lovely comedy-drama from 2005 is a must-see for any family interested in remembering what the season can mean.

“Father Knows Best.” In The Bells of St. Mary’s, Bing Crosby is the all-knowing, all-giving Father O’Malley who makes a difference to every life he touches. As he tries to revitalize a failing church and school, he finds himself in conflict with a majestic Ingrid Bergman as a nun with her own beliefs on how to best educate children. But the Father, and his knowing ways, set the stage for a meaningful holiday miracle. They simply don’t make movies like this 1945 classic any more.

“Holidays Are For Families.” In One True Thing, the sensational Meryl Streep reminds us of the sacrifices that all mothers make for their families, not only at holidays, but every day of the year. Its story of how illness can change a family reveals the loneliness, disappointment and connection that every family experiences, in good and bad times. Renee Zellweger and William Hurt round out the family in this moving drama from 1998.

“Faith Can Move Mountains”. In The Bishop’s Wife, Cary Grant is an ultimate guardian angel who brings sense and calm to the lives of Loretta Young and David Niven. Featuring one of the great movie lines from a holiday film – “the only people who grow old were born old to begin with” – this lovely story from 1947 reminds us that, no matter the challenge, we can persevere. This was later diluted into The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston.

“Look Beyond Human Weakness”. In The Shop Around the Corner, James Stewart charms Margaret Sullivan with the warm expressions he puts into the letters he writes. But, in real time, the two don’t like each other very much. Only when they look beyond the weakness they share every day can they see into each other’s hearts and celebrate a special Christmas Eve. This was later remade into You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks.

“Believe in the Miracles of the Season.”In The Polar Express, the visually magnificent adaptation of the Chris Van Allsburg children’s book, a young boy learns that miracles can come true for those willing to believe. Its animated look – based on the movements of live actors – creates a sensational fantasy world that children of all ages will enjoy. And the message is timeless.

So curl up by the fire, put in a movie, and share some special family time this holiday season.

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