Customer Reviews

The National Tree

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The National Tree

David Kranes' outstanding novel, The National Tree, finds a solid adaptation in this Hallmark production. The essence of the book, a deep and evocative exploration of a father and son relationship, is beautifully captured in the film. The premise, a cross country trip to deliver the National Tree to the President's lawn is well rendered; Andrew McCarthy and Andrew Williams do a superb job. But in an hour and a half, the quirkiness and delight of the novel could not be completely explored. Kranes' characteristic gentle and offbeat humor comes through so much more completely in the book which has become a family Christmas Classic for so many people.

I have now seen the movie three times. It is a refreshing tale, no violence, no gore or blood. I am further wishing now to read the book. The acting was good, although I wish Andrew McCarthy wasn't quite so stern looking mos of the time...but then his smile lights up the room, so well worth waiting for.
Would recommend to anyone wanting to relax with a "feel good" movie.
Good job done by all!

How do you make a film about a tree and keep it interesting? Hallmark Channel did it. And it's family approved by DOVE which means it's family rated. Although a live tree is being moved overland from the northwest to DC, it is not really the tree that makes this story, and the only thing Christmas about it is the lighting of a decorated tree at the end.

It's another story about Father/Son relationships. But this is somewhat more realistic because it shows that sometimes Dad can be as wrong as son. And along the way, there is a beautiful lady friend for both to begin to love. Sound to sappy for the men, maybe not. There is the...well, I almost spoiled the viewing by beginning to explain some of the action on the road trip. Andrew McCarthy makes a realistic acting tree farmer dad, and Evan Williams does a good job at being the tech-savvy son. I even learned a new term (vlog)which for much younger folk, will wonder where I've been for years.

My answer to the negative reaction to a teenager who doesn't always listen to his father is, "reality." It's a parent/child reality show. But a bonding takes place and mistakes are made, and forgiven, and life goes on in a better world as a result.

Don't wait for a Christmas season to watch this one, even if the box cover does suggest a holiday film.

I just finished watching this movie on The Hallmark Channel and found it to be quite enjoyable. I was surprised to read some of the negative reviews - especially from the woman who thought it set a bad example for kids. I'm not sure what world she lives in, but in the real world the teens in the movie were actually good kids. As far as "kissing on the first date", she must have missed the part that showed how they'd been communicating on the internet via Skype calls (each seeing a live picture of each other as they spoke) for the last year. (I wonder if a year would be long enough for her teen to know someone of the opposite sex before they kissed for the first time.) Yes, the female teen asked to come inside the hotel room because it was too cold to sleep outside, but there was nothing to indicate that she got into bed with the boy or the father. As far as the marketing woman goes - she didn't either - she had her own hotel room and the father didn't go in it. This woman must've been in the kitchen for a cup of coffee or taking a bathroom break because she clearly misunderstood some of the scenes. The young male lead was not a 12-year-old, but a junior in high school who yes, did get upset with his father and voiced his feelings, but still communicated a level of respect for his dad that many teens today don't. Yes, he and the female teen plotted a foolishly unsafe scheme, but that was due more to their lack of experience in life. It was typical of many an immature teenage decision in not examining all the details and consequences before taking an action. I'm not as hip as the grandmother in the movie, but rather a pretty conservative 64-year-old female and would recommend this as a GREAT family movie.

This was a Christmas present for my Mom, she loves to watch Christmas movies. I haven't watched any of the movies that I've bought off Amazon yet, but she hasn't complained about the quality of them yet so all is good in the world!

It is nice to see a movie like this... a movie for the whole family and about family. But Hallmark is excptional at family movies...the music was great. Loved the movie and all the good performances. Of course the fact that my favorite actor was the lead, was nice too. :)

The National Tree had a good story line and it was a family friendly film. With teenagers as the center of the story you can expect teenage types of antics. All in all it was worth watching.

i love this dvd. i waited for some time for it to come out. it is a very touching story.

The movie was good and I would have rated it 3 1/2 stars. It is not exactly a Christmas movie until the very end, but the story line is good and it is a cute movie for the family.

Yes this is a Christmas movie but, it is much more. The plot has several twists and turns that just pop up during the movie. It has something for everyone.