Vagabond de Noël

I taped this movie and watch it every December. Maybe it's more appreciated by older viewers who recall real hobos and trains, I'm

not sure. I do know a couple of younger people in 30s who also liked the movie. Estrangement between a parent and adult child is fairly common today, and Hobo's Christmas is a good example of how time and

circumstances can change people. The kids being raised by only dad after their mother died, are as normal and cute as kids can be. They are the most open and accepting of a newly found grandpa. His hobo buddies not only provide some humor but also give a glimpse into the hard lives of true "gentlemen of the road" and free spirits of another era.

ALL the actors were believable and charming. I admit to having lived in Salt Lake City, where it was filmed, for a couple of years so that may influence my annual enjoyment of the film. After writing this, I'm ordering a professional VHS copy for a friend.

Chance (Barnard Hughes) has been a terrible father. Twenty-five years ago, he abandoned his family and traveled the country doing odd jobs and riding the rails. Now, all these years later, Chance has arrived in Salt Lake City in order to see his widower son, Charlie (Gerald McRaney), and his grandchildren. Not surprisingly, Charlie is shocked and angry when Chance arrives...and tells him to stay out of his life. But Charlie's girlfriend is a bit of a meddler and she helps convince Charlie to look for his father and invite him home for Christmas.

The biggest reason I decided to watch this is because of Barnard Hughes. While many folks today haven't heard of him, he was a terrific actor on stage and on television. His talents made me want to see the movie. And fortunately, I was not disappointed as the film turned out to be terribly well acted, directed and enjoyable. It's a very nice holiday treat.

"A Hobo's Christmas" is a very nice made for TV film, though I have a few comments about the plot before I conclude my review. As a trained therapist and someone who has had a couple extremely toxic family members in my life, the story's message of forgiveness and reconciliation is one I like but also one that has some caveats. If you've had some horrible people in your life who have deliberately harmed you and have done nothing to make amends, this film does NOT apply to you. Keeping dangerous and evil people out of your life is a good thing...not something to feel guilty about...particularly if you have children. So while some families can reconcile like they did in the movie, and that's a nice thing, don't let the story push you into opening up yourself to being hurt. If a person hurt you and showed no serious signs of dramatic change, or if they abused you in ways that simply defy forgiveness, don't watch the film or at least beware that its message does not apply to you Ugly, hurtful people should not be allowed back in your life just to hurt you again.

This interesting teleplay touches on some serious reconciliation issues. Production values are above average for its genre, writing, direction, performances, editing, cinematography and music. The participation of the always reliable Barnard Hughes was my reason for watching this, and a good decision it was. Other performances also come across as well cast and quite well realized.

It might not be a movie for all tastes but anyone who enjoys looking back at how families can drift apart and their efforts at reconciliation should find something to appreciate. While certain aspects may seem a little romanticized for some seasoned cynics - Thankfully, unlike a Spielberg production, the adult characters' ring true, and the children are likable (for a change). The late William Hickey (The Name of the Rose '86) as Cincinnati Harold is always a curious watch.

Hearst Entertainment has given us a different kind of Christmas story to admire, for those who care.

Dare I say...Merry Christmas! It's now also avaiable on DVD.

This is definitely a tv movie. There's no mistaking it..Especially watching it now, here in 2024, almost 2025 (the future!) on crystal clear, high resolution, high definition flat screens of today. And honestly, this movie is so eighties, it's just too sweet and innocent, it's almost a fantasy.

I lived and was old enough to know that it wasn't just all ooey-gooey back then, either.

Maybe not at pessimistic as now, but far from perfect in 1987. Not bad at all, but not dreamlike, like it is here.

First off, I never really get why this dude bailed on his family.

Oh, they attempt to explain it but it doesn't seem realistic.

Probably because it's a twentieth century television movie, but there's no alcohol or drug abuse, no mental illness. No criminal history.

You haven't seen this guy in twenty five years, you don't know what he's been up to.

I'm just saying.

And his running buddies? His co-hobos as it were.

They all seem pretty functional.

What are they all doing out there?

And why give Gerald McRaney's character, Charlie, such an extensive back story? It's too complicated and unnecessary for a tv movie like this.

He's a widowed former steelworker who hobbies in woodworking and used to live in Pennsylvania before relocating his family to Utah and becoming a police officer.

What?

Okay.

At one point, Barnard Hughes, as the title character, actually makes his grandkids a huge stew in a garbage can. A new can? Okay, cool. A used can? Gross!

And I know it's a movie, but still, 25 years gone and you're just going to up and leave your children with this man?

I don't think so.

And again, it may be 1987, but they're treating the tramps here like they're all Charlie Chaplin or Boxcar Willie.

It's fun to watch because it is so ridiculous but it does have an overall sweet message.

Don't eat stew out of garbage cans.

I'm not someone who easily embraces Christmas. What I do like are simple, eloquent tales of folks reuniting or connecting at Christmas, examining their lives and making small adjustments. This is a compact little story of a painful past and an attempt at resolution. I found myself choking up here and there as the tale progressed, enjoying wise children, the camaraderie of people of the road and overall, the somewhat washed out images of Salt Lake City. There are plenty of sappy Christmas movies trying desperately to become instant classics. I think this might be a true contender. I enjoyed its message. I won't say what that message is but I suspect most will get it.