A Grandpa for Christmas

“A Grandpa For Christmas” was released in 2007.  It stars Ernest Borgnine, Katherine Helmond, Juliette Goglia, Richard Libertini, Tracy Nelson, and Jamie Farr.

To read my review click here.   I want to warn you this blog entry contains spoilers.

This movie is about Bert O'Riley, a retired song and dance man.  He’s had no contact with his daughter, Marie, since she was little due to Marie’s mother.  Marie thinks Bert abandoned them when really the mother took off and kept Marie from Bert.  When single mom Marie is in a major car accident, Bert becomes an instant grandfather to the nine-year-old granddaughter, Becca, he has never met but who has been told nothing but horrible things about him by her mother and grandmother.

What’s special about this movie?  The cast alone makes it worth watching.  Having all those major actors in one movie working together is magic.

Seeing Bert and Becca slowly learn to tolerate, then like, then love each other, all with the support of Bert’s friends, is so sweet.  It’s like watching two people slowly heal the pain they feel. 

Marie is talking with Bert’s friend about him abandoning them and not being there for things like her tuition.  Bert’s friend tells Marie that Bert always supported her financially and wanted to see her.  He even went to her graduation.  This allows us to also see Marie and Bert start to mend their relationship.

Katherine Helmond as Roxie add something truly special as Roxie.  The cast needed a female to balance out all the men and she is such a huge personality she outshines them all.  Roxie is the person Becca bonds with that helps her start to let her guard down.

Bert even gets his first Christmas tree since Marie and her mom left and lets Becca have friends over, along with his friends, for a tree trimming and caroling party.

Bert, along with his friends, takes over directing Becca’s Christmas pageant.  He is going to miss it because he’s in the hospital but he signs himself out because he has to be there for her.  Becca is having stage fright and is okay once Bert is there showing how much she is bonded to him.  It ends with Marie asking if they can turn the attic into a third bedroom so they can live with Bert.

It’s a little corny at times but there’s something so very special about it.  If you haven’t seen it I hope you give it a try.  If you have, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie.  Happy Viewing!