The Christmas Box
The Christmas Box
| 17 December 1995 (USA)
The Christmas Box Trailers

A ski-shop owner reluctantly moves himself, his wife, and his daughter in to an estate as live-in help for an elderly widow. While struggling to balance his career and family life, he has recurring dreams about an angel.

Reviews
Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!
GarnettTeenage The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.
Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
OllieSuave-007 This is a made-for-TV Christmas movie starring Hollywood legend Maureen O'Hara as Mary Parkin, a widow who is being cared for by ski-shop owner Richard Evans (Richard Thomas) and his wife, Keri (Annette O'Toole). They moved into Mary's estate after Richard struggles to balance his family and career life.As with many families, there is a husband or wife who seem to put work over family. This movie beautifully depicts Mary giving the career-oriented Richard several lectures in having a healthy family life and has him guessing what the greatest gift one could have is - as it is revealed by the end of the film.There are quite a few sappy moments, but the characters were well-acted for the most part and the plot was quite solid, giving us a pretty captivating film with many heartfelt dramatic moments. In addition to the drama, there is also a touch of fantasy elements that give the film a bit of suspense and intrigue. Overall, a good one to watch during Christmas time.Grade B
Neil Doyle This is a handsomely produced tear-jerker, nicely played by MAUREEN O'HARA, RICHARD THOMAS and ANNETTE O'TOOLE and obviously aimed toward the Christmas market with a sweet tale about a mysterious Christmas BOX residing in the attic of an old lady's mansion.Maureen O'Hara is still a pleasure to look at and listen to in the role of a rather crotchety, firm-minded elderly lady who is in need of household help and accepts Thomas and O'Toole, along with their young daughter, when they apply for the job. Thomas needs the extra money to run a ski shop but is not exactly fond of O'Hara and her ways. It's his daughter, Jenna, who eventually does establish a bond with the woman and more revelations soon come about with respect to the mysterious Christmas box in the attic and O'Hara's past.It's strictly sentimental stuff, so be advised that the pace is on the slow side as the character revelations are gradually made clear. But if you like warm-hearted tales of Christmas (or any of the holidays for that matter), you can't go wrong with this one.Summing up: Handsomely produced with fine performances, well worth viewing.
mwilows This movie is great!A must see.I even watched it in July.Maureen O'Hara is a class act, and Richard Thomas is a gem. The movie just gets you in the mood.I love the fact that it starts with the Thanksgiving holiday working its way up to Christmas. The film has a feeling of Christmas' past. The moment of decorating the tree was heartwarming. The portrayal of the little girl and her love is also a warm feeling. The caring for Mrs. Parkin is remarkable. The end was tearful, but also joyful.
toronaga I didn't plan to see this. Instead I just sat down while my wife was watching it and ended up seeing it all the way through. It was difficult not to get emotionally involved, mostly because of the acting of Maureen O'Hara. Yes, some of the plot mechanisms are clichés. Yes, the overall message of knowing what to truly value most has been done many times by Hollywood. But the understated performances from O'Hara and Richard Thomas along with a good story really make this movie well worth watching. I ended up being so affected that it drove me to write this review in the hope that it might influence someone else to see it. And perhaps enjoy it as much as I did. Merry Christmas everyone...