A Christmas Snow

18 members reviewed: A Christmas Snow

- T Patrick R
First off I will state that I am a friend of Catherine Mary Stewart's who plays Kathleen in the film. With that out of the way, I have to say that I have not been touched by a film for a long time like I have been by A Christmas Snow.

A Christmas Snow takes us into the life of Kathleen, a successful chef and restaurateur. On the surface Kathleen's life looks golden. Successful business, Attractive and successful boyfriend (Anthony Tyler Quinn), a nice home. But as Christmas approaches and her employees ask for the day off, we learn there is more going on than meets the eye. Kathleen's father left she and her mom at Christmas. An act that destroyed the very holiday for her and drove a wedge into her relationship with her mom.

When her boyfriend is called out of town and has no one to care for his daughter Lucy (Cameron ten Napel), Kathleen reluctantly takes on the task. Neither of them are thrilled with the situation.

To add to the madness, Christmas is just a few days away, Kathleen is nearly mugged and is saved by a stranger, Sam (Muse Watson) and a record snow closes all the airports and roads and strands Sam from getting a bus to visit his daughter for the holidays. The three complete strangers are forced to hold up at Kathleen's, waiting the storm out with out any amenities.

It's within the confines of this comfortable home that we see the 3 main charters truly bloom.

We learn that Sam is estranged from his own family and has decided this year to see if there is any way to fix what has been broken. Lucy reminds Kathleen what it really is like to be a child, especially at this magical time of year. And Kathleen begins to see herself in terms of a whole person that realizes how much she has lost by shutting down her emotions and narrowing her own world.

Muse Watson plays the quiet, gentle Sam with such power that you simply can not help but watch him during all his scenes. Cameron plays Lucy with just the right amount of brattyiness and precociousness that fits her character in the beginning, starting with her restaurant scene and informing Cathleen that she is a "ckick-a-tarian", and building to a sensitive young woman who Kathleen can begin to identify with. Catherine brings so much depth and maturity to her role that you can't help but feel for the struggles that she is going through. Her scene with Muse in which the 2 lay open their lives and fears is one worth watching over and over again.

While such words as "small independent film", "family movie" or "faith based" brings to mind poorly executed films, A Christmas Snow rises above all expectations and delivers a first rate, powerfully told, film that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

- Joseph M
I grew up in a time where Christmas classics meant (and still means) Rankin-Bass, Charles Schultz and Dr. Seuss. These classics usually focus on Santa Claus and gifts. Until now, I could only name a few that focus on Jesus (The Little Drummer Boy, The Small One).

A Christmas Snow is a story is about the three people and what they learn about life, and forgiveness, during the week of Christmas. It focuses on the Bible rather than the shopping.

Kathleen is a restaurant owner who had a heartbreaking experience during Christmas while she was ten years old. Her father left the family and never returned. Her Mom remarried, but Kathleen rejected the new husband because she wanted her father back instead. As she grew older and eventually moved out, Kathleen separated herself from her Mom. This left Kathleen preferring to ignore Christmas (for example, leaving her restaurant open on Christmas), and indulging in comfort food when she is stressed (usually chocolate, and occasionally other peoples dinners).

Lucy is a ten year old who has had her Mom pass away (my guess is at the age of eight). She has become the woman of her own house, has no trouble speaking her mind, but does have trouble with her manners. She has been seeing a therapist and can be the therapist herself. Her father has been dating Kathleen for some time, and she can notice things are starting to get serious. She does not like Kathleen; as Lucy explains to her Dad "she is not Mom".

Sam is an elderly man who left his family in the past. He saw himself becoming messed up like his own father did; with anger, drinking, other women. He gave up seeing things as too late to change. After this, he found God and has made it his goal to see his daughter for Christmas. His favorite passage is Luke 2: 29-32.

The supporting cast of Andrew (Lucy's father), Kathleen's Mom and step-Dad, the journalist and the entire cast at the restaurant does an excellent performance no matter how large or how small. The filming does a great job of attention to detail in the background. For example, the weather report that you may not even be watching because it is in the background, shows heavy snow and heavy ice in the forecast for the Tulsa area. The only part I wish was re-filmed was at the supermarket (age and acting of cast, the closing of the store, and the parking lot lighting).

The DVD itself offers previews of five songs from the soundtrack; cast interviews and a directors diary. One of the audio options is narration for the blind, which describes what is going on in the movie along with the movie audio track. The trailer for Trost Motion Pictures "Find Me" is there (this is the movie Lucy is watching while Kathleen visits the store). Oddly, no subtitles exist; and the trailer for A Christmas Snow is not on the DVD.

In conclusion, I find this to be the perfect film to put on during the last few days before Christmas; after all the shopping is done, all the lights are on, and when it is time to finally relax before the Holidays. This movie will be released on October 8th. The soundtrack and paperback by Jim Stovall is already available.

- John L
Great Christmas movie for the entire family. I recommend getting this for a family night movie during the coming holiday season. Humor and drama...great acting!

- Leonard M
A Christmas Snow Review by Leonard Mathews

A Christmas Snow is a wonderfully poignant story of a womans redemption

and restoration from a past issue. The stories protagonist Kathleen is played with such heartfelt passion by Catherine Mary Stewart (The Last Starfighter, Weekend at Bernies) that you can't help but be drawn into the storyline with her.

Muse Watson is the heroic and mysterious hero Sam, who rescues Kathleen and becomes her unexpected guest.

A special mention goes out to newcomer Cameron Ten Napel as Lucy, who steals

every scene with a vibrant passion of a seasoned pro actress. This movie has all the

hallmarks of a classic Christmas story in the vain of "It's a Wonderful Life"

or "A Christmas Carol".

- Marlin H
I am a major Muse Watson fan. I am slowly collecting DVDs of everything he has done. This film is my latest addition. I could not wait for it to come out and could not wait to sit down and watch it. In a word... FANTASTIC !!!

One other reviewer said that if this had been released to theaters, it would have been up for major awards. I totally agree. The scene with Sam ( Muse ) and Kathleen ( Catherine Mary Stewart ) is "electric."

And, oh the ending... I pride myself in "always" being able to figure out the ending of any TV or movie. This one got me. As the old phrase goes... I never saw that one coming !!!

My favorite Christmas movie has been "White Christmas" for more decades that I actually want to admit. It has to now move over for "A Christmas Snow." Don't wait... buy it!!!