Review and Giveaway: Christmas Lodge

Recently, when offered a chance to review Christmas Lodge, I noticed that it starred Michael Shanks and jumped at the chance.  I thought my family would be interested in viewing this movie, and a family-friendly modern Christmas story sounded wonderful.

My family balked.  "It's October!" they insisted.  "We don't want to watch a Christmas movie.  Ask again in six weeks."

Some people just don't understand.  Doing this as a review means that we have the opportunity to watch it, so that I can talk about it with enough time for other people to get it for that "perfect" time.

So... I watched alone.  Which means you are stuck with only my opinions.  So first, let me tell you what the publisher says:

Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

What did I think?  The movie was a bit on the hokey side, with much of the basic plot being fairly predictable.  But I still enjoyed it.  It is absolutely Christian family-friendly.  A few things that stand out:

• there is ONE romantic kiss in the entire movie.  So almost no "Do we have to see the kissing part?" comments are even possible.
• when the boyfriend-girlfriend go away for the weekend, it is clear that they have separate rooms at the hotel.
• there was not a single scene in the movie where I would have to tell my kids to cover their eyes.  Not one.
• characters actually talk not only about faith and God, but about Jesus.
• Mary and Mr. Wrong are dating.  But with Mr. Right, the word used is "courting."  I don't know where I really stand on the dating vs. courtship issue, but I still loved the contrast here.
• the characters weren't all drop-dead gorgeous.  Most seemed fairly real in appearance.
• Michael Shanks is incredibly convincing in his role

The downsides?  For the most part, only the two main characters (Mary and Jack) are really well-developed.  Some of the other people have moments... but they are just written as pretty flat characters.  Some of the plot developments required a LOT of suspension of disbelief. 

Still, the message... faith, family, tradition... it makes for a very nice Christmas flick.  It won't replace It's a Wonderful Life as my favorite Christmas movie... but I can certainly see watching it every December.

And I get to give one away!  Giveaway ends at midnight (Eastern) on 11/8.







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