The National Tree

I thought it was a very touching movie, and the Teen character Rock was very likable. 2 Thumbs up for a loving Christmas Movie! Good job. A little different in the normal holiday theme, but it wouldn't be memorable if it followed the same old theme. It was great seeing Actor Andrew McCarthy in a movie again, even if he was a little hard to like in the beginning. I do recommend this film for family viewing, and it is perfect on the Hallmark channel. I've been very impressed with the holiday movies this year. Also for those of you interested in watching Hallmark Movies, may I also suggest ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and Lifetime's FaLaLaLa Lifetime.

Most of the goofy flaws are contrivances designed to move the plot forward, though, so poetic license prevails. Not to mention the fact these minor problems are somewhat silly and therefore entertaining.

OK, follow this plot: a teen guy who has a somewhat inflated assessment of how interesting his life is likes to video blog/chat with some cyber buddies. I got a kick out of the one who looks like a dozen Chia Pets exploded on her head. She's having a serious bad hair day. Make that a bad hair century.

His dad is a widower (like all movies of this ilk), and they have dad/teen son tensions; who could have seen that coming? He wins a contest to have his tree become the new National Tree in Washington. His dad tells him "no" every time he opens his mouth, and that's a lot since this kid shoots off his yap constantly. All the while, he tapes his favorite video subject (himself), and posts it on the net. The movie would have you believe somebody is actually watching his videos, lol. All aboard as Dad and Rock (yeah, that's his name) set out from Oregon over 18 wheels to transport and hand-deliver the tree in DC. But fires, corporate nasties, a hitch hiking gf (not the Chia), a hip grandma, and more stuff awaits on the highway ahead. The final act and its result: only in a TV movie, folks.

Much of this story is as stretch, but those parts are funny because of it; yet these awkward moments do not prevent the sentimentality that is intended. With all the contrivances, it's still worth a couple of hours if you're going to be home anyway.

Corey (Andrew McCarthy) and his teenage son, Rock (Evan Williams) live in rustic Oregon country. A widower for a long time, Corey once planted a tree for his day-old son that has now grown quite large. Unknown to the father, Rock entered the tree into a contest to be chosen as the official National Tree for the approaching holiday season. He wins! Rock is appropriately excited, especially since he has a blog site to spread the good news to his cyber friends. But, Corey initially is reluctant. Only after the lady in charge, Faith, assures him that the tree will be transported "live", not cut down, does he relent. But, Corey insists on driving the huge truck that will take the tree cross-country. Rock will ride shotgun and is looking forward to stopping at his grandmother's in the Dakotas and at the house of a good looking Internet gal pal in Wyoming. The trip turns dangerous quickly, when father and son run into a forest fire. But, after making it through that hazard, they land in Caspar, where Rock is thrilled to meet Katie. So happy is the young couple that they go against Corey's wishes and sneak Katie into the truck's hold for the journey. Will they make it all the way to D.C. and will Corey get angry when he discovers the stowaway? Also, could strong-and-silent Corey actually have eyes for Faith, despite her upcoming nuptials? This is quite a lovely film for the holidays, with plenty of romance and adventure for most family members. McCarthy has a nice turn as the somewhat grouchy and stoic father while Williams is wonderful as the talented son. All of the other cast members do a fine job as well. The cross country trip is a visual treat while the costumes and other production values are well above average. All in all, you won't be barking up the wrong tree if you seek out this film to share with your family. It is another fine choice for holiday viewing that will please most everyone who plops down for a showing.

Flaws everywhere! I-80 doesn't run through Oregon or Idaho ... that I-84. It's I-84 until you get into Utah. The Interstate does NOT go through Salt Lake City. It goes through east/northern suburbs and then cuts to I-80. It's also VERY flat along both highways EXCEPT a small area in Eastern Oregon and Eastern Utah/Western Wyoming. ... no mountains or forests along the way. Mostly grasslands and farms.

ALSO - all radio/TV stations west of the Mississippi River use call letters that start with K - not W. The reports of the forest fire (where's the forest on I-80???) Re on a TV station with W call letters. So we have this woman watching an Eastern US in Oregon? Good trick in the days before Cable/Satellite TV was prolific!

As far as the story - nice father/son road trip. The relationship was strained because dad doesn't get teenage boys - but in the end, they come together for the same cause. Could have been a better story - not in a truck cab. The video blogging was ridiculous.

Watch this only if you have NOTHING else to do...

Andrew McCarthy stars in this film. I am not sure if he is playing the part as "Too old" or it was poorly executed screenplay. Now the general outline of this film got me interested so that it was I viewed it. The film started off okay but it slowly sank into the abyss of melodrama. Every plot point is telegraphed. Now I don't mind a "By The Numbers" story but I do mind a story that is poorly executed. In this film the "The National Tree" a father and son are en-route from Oregon to Washington DC to deliver the National Tree to DC. This film becomes a road trip but upon closer inspection you can tell that don't travel far. The terrain never changes. Funny that an ALL American STORY was produced by Canadian Production company!

Andrew McCarthy is miscast. He is about 19-20 years too young for the part. He acts like a 70 year old. He alone sinks the movie. It could of been much better had almost anyone else was cast as the lead.

There is plenty of enjoyable Christmas theme movies. This is not one of them