Review of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971) by Tom W — 11 Dec 2009

A really underrated and overlooked Christmas movie. It'll probably get retro and be "found" some day. Or, as is today's fashion - a remake (but this original is great). Especially as it is about the Depression, and the tale of simple gift giving and poverty is there for all to see. The Black church scene is especially well acted (and pretty modern for its time it, included African-Americans), the broken charity doll and the Baldwin sisters' Christmas tree are timeless scenes. The bird's nest being used as an ornament on the kids' Xmas tree is so anti-Hallmark. Some of John-boy's hallucinations are over the top, but you get the vibe that Patricia Neal (the actress)may have been drinking alot between filming.

Thomas White.