Christmas in Canaan (2009)

Too much of everything

I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Better Late Then Never

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie and its upbeat themes. Quite a bit of the Civil Rights struggle was unpleasant and this film doesn't skip over that. However, the main theme is that through a bit of wisdom and goodwill, we can all change for the better. All the characters in this movie display a dark side to their character but in the end their good sides prevail. The only exceptions to this are Billy Ray Cyrus' character who is a little too "Atticus Finch" and the unrepentant redneck bigot who tries to burn down the meeting tent and ends up running over Little Bobby.If there is one flaw to this movie it's that it was made on the Canadian West Coast instead of Texas. The first tip-off that this is a made-in-Canada movie is the truck that the Burtons tool around in. It looks like a Dodge but it's a 50s Fargo, a badge-engineered Dodge sold only in Canada, never in Texas. Also, the Canadian West Coast doesn't look anything like the dryland farms on the Oklahoma border. If Hallmark didn't have the budget to make this in the US, they should have made the movie in Southern Alberta, most of which looks like the Texas dry lands. Also, Southern Alberta has enough bigots and rednecks that casting that part would be a snap.If you ignore the defects and enjoy Billy Ray Cyrus' music, this is a feelgood that actually makes you feel good.

Billy Ray Cyrus can Act! I was hesitant to watch a movie carried by Billy Ray Cyrus, but within minutes I was watching Daniel Burton and was submersed into this film.The concern for his young son DJ's biggotry and the parenting skills he utilized to overcome his son's views were genius.The rest of the cast was great, the two young boy's had excellent chemistry, the hatred turned friendship was very believable! I really enjoyed the scene when Rodney tricked DJ into thinking he had consumed Skunk Stew - DJ's reaction to the news and subsequent sprint to the balcony had me laughing for minutes. The grown up version of the boys was well cast,the friendship blossomed to include Rodney as(family) which was very moving.Watching a period piece is often overlooked as it lacks the high tech distractions offered in today's films, but Christmas in Canaan delivered thought provoking content and was a surprise holiday hit for me! I even ordered the DVD from amazon! ENJOY

First, I agree with jlynrobertson's comment about compassion being on the TV; it's refreshing to know there are still TV shows out there that we can value with our children and loved ones...my son (12 yrs. old) watch the movie with me and he had tons of 'why' and 'how' questions and I was so glad that he realized there was a true meaning behind this movie...and hope there are enough shows like this to last him a lifetime that he can learn from - as opposed to being in such a hurry and snubbing people off like we see so often in real life and the violence we even see even in cartoons now.Second, I agree with claudiapatx's comment that the part about the pictures from a catalog as Christmas gifts - made me cry too! (and wouldn't you know, that's when my sister calls on the phone LOL Excellent, excellent movie!!!

This is a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship between two young men, who would have never been friends if not for a great dad. One is white and one black, a highly unusual friendship for the time. It depicts the hardships of blacks and the poor rural whites of that time. There is a scene where because they are so poor, the dad(Billy Ray Cyrus) gives everyone pictures instead of real gifts for Christmas, because that's all he could afford. I cried watching it. It was so sweet.The movie gets into some touchy areas, like the black struggle to vote back in those times. And the attitudes that went along with that struggle.This is a really touching, beautifully made movie. I do highly recommend to all.