The Christmas Bunny (2010)

Wonderful character development!

Such a frustrating disappointment

ridiculous rating

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Pleasant little film. Not too saccharin for a Christmas film. Lead child actress is very good and believable....one thing though, the 2 boys/characters need some help. 1st they shoot the bunny and then they put it in some weird pram with rocks and push it down a homemade bob sleigh ramp (I got the feeling the cousin was the instigator) I would have bitten the little bastard too!

In Ottawa County in western Michigan, the Cooper family is in financial trouble because Scott has lost his engineering job and his wife Patti's job painting furniture doesn't pay enough. They have a son Billy. One way to help the family make money is to take in a foster child.Julia is on her fifth foster home. Her mother keeps getting in trouble, and has given Julia up only to ask for her back and get in trouble again. Julia arrives but won't talk. She has a video of "The Velveteen Rabbit" which she immediately starts watching, and she won't stop.The family goes to Uncle Chip's house, which is really nice. Chip has money and can offer Scott a job but Scott won't take it. The family opens presents on Christmas Eve because Chip, his wife and his son and daughter are going to Mexico on the big day.One of the presents results in a serious injury to a rabbit in the woods; the bunny appears to be a pet. Julia picks it up and holds it, and Scott and Patti go to the vet. The vet wants a lot more money than the family can afford, but it is possible for the rabbit to recover without him doing anything. This will require help from someone who knows rabbits, and there is a place.The family has seen the old house where Betsy Ross lives, with a sign saying "Rabbits" out front. Betsy takes the rabbit, saying she knows exactly what to do, and the family should come back next Tuesday. This is after Julia starts school.So will the rabbit get well? Will Julia adapt to her new situation? Will Scott get a job? Will Julia's mom show up for Christmas?Sophia Bolen does a great job. She doesn't have to say much, and when she does talk, she shows a wide range.If you're looking for Carol Brady, look somewhere else. Florence Henderson does an outstanding job but looks her age at long last; Betsy has made no effort to look good. Her personality is more Martha Raye or Sophia Petrillo than what Henderson has given us over the years. And that's fine. She is kind and loving in her way. This is not a sweet movie, but it is touching, and Betsy has a lot to teach about responsibility.Faith is included in this movie as well. Patti has it but Scott is about to lose his. While the movie had a TV-G rating, that doesn't mean it is without concerns. Julia's mother did abuse her, though she hits a camera showing Julia's point of view, not the girl. She is dressed for a hot date, but some of what is said about her suggests she was a prostitute. Plus she sold drugs. In addition, Julia, having been abused, also abuses.Overall, this is a fine family film.

I really liked everything about this movie. Its lack of special effects and big budget make the characters more intimate. As other reviewers have said the little girl is a fine actress.The rating is PG, as it contains some sad plot elements (a foster child missing her blood mother, animals being injured by BB guns, etc.) that a very small child would possibly find upsetting. The rabbit, Rumple, is adorable. Perhaps I have a bias, as I have a beautiful lop myself (Smokey). The rabbit's timidity made him seem more important to the little girl, who is also shy and afraid of her new, adopted family.The family are nice, however. The mother's Christian faith isn't mocked or made fun of by the filmmakers either, which is refreshing. In a big budget, Hollywood production she'd be a lovable buffoon at best or a psychotic lunatic at worst for worshiping Christ.It seems quite the opposite of a "dumb, made-for-TV movie" as another review put it. Most children would be delighted with the film for all of its charms. The rabbit lady is the most interesting adult in the film, but you should watch the film to find out why. As a middle aged adult male, I thought the film was nice.

Let me make one thing clear from the start: This is aimed at a young audience, it is very slow with an idea that is not original and was most likely made for TV. Those are factors you have to let flow into your vote and/or summary of the movie. You cannot compare this to big time cinema. I can still see that some people would have trouble and seeing this as a waste of their time.After this foreword (or warning if you will), I can tell you, that as someone who loves animals in general and bunnies more specifically, you will enjoy the movie. You'll probably yearn for more bunny time, but you won't get more. The story might be a bit more out there and not as kid friendly as some might expect either. Still the overall message is clear. The girl actress is really good, which only really is being revealed when you watch the Outtakes on the DVD. Plus the old lady is based on a real person (as you can witness on one of the short features of the Disc)