After the opening scenes of siblings squabbling and some bullying at school, "The Christmas Project" turns out to be a film that many will treasure for the holiday season. Its Christmas messages are hidden under the mantle of the everyday living in a family with several boys, a school that includes the common occurrence of bullying, and a family with parents that are more moxie than on first appearance. In a nutshell, this is a very good film, with a fantastic screenplay, and wonderful acting all around.
The sibling rivalries and the bullying are the most obvious aspects of the film. But they become much less significant as the other aspects slowly emerge. Those are the human, family, charitable, understanding, learning, and caring aspects that are woven so neatly and cleverly into the plot. This wonderful story has a superb screenplay and excellent film production. It is based on two novels by Matthew Buckley, the pen name of Marion Ray Jensen. It's a tale of his family experiences, especially as the dad in a home with several rambunctious, frequently squabbling young sons - i.e., boys.
The film uses a story-telling technique that avid viewers of holiday season movies will recall. In "A Christmas Story" of 1983, a grown Ralphie Parker, who has since become a writer, in voice-over narrates a story of one family Christmas when he was a boy. At intervals during the film, the grownup narrator interjects a line or two. In this film, the grownup Matthew Buckley narrates the opening and comments a few times as this tale of one Christmas in his family unfolds.
And, this is a true joy, with wonderful lessons. It's so well crafted that this reviewer - probably not unlike many or most others, really wanted Finn Hagbart to get his comeuppance. Then, as one sees the Christmas project unfold - the anonymous "elving" of a needy family for Christmas, one sees the maturing and softening of heart take place with Matthew. One great moment in the classroom with Matthew, another pupil, and the teacher, is sure to catch most readers by surprise. It dashed my first impression of the teacher.
The portrayals of the parents are believable, and show their real wisdom and understanding through the frequent mayhem. Alison Akin Clark is superb as Pam Buckley, the pregnant mother who is about to deliver a baby at any moment. Brian Neal Clark is superb as the dad, Ralph Buckley, who knows boys better than they realize. And, he's a dad who still has a spark of kid in him as he rollicks with his sons at times in their pirate ship that he helped them build. This couple are married in real life, but don't have a family quite the size they have in this movie - at least not as of 2022.
Jacob Buster plays Matthew Buckley. He and all the young actors who play his brothers and those of the other school children give excellent and very real performances. I kept the plot disclosures to a minimum here, so that viewers who read these comments and then watch the film won't be deprived of the "aha" experience with the couple of real revelations when they occur. Perhaps others will also want to add this fine film to their Christmas film collection for annual viewing over the holidays.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Matthew Buckley, narrator voice-over, "Mom says 'no,' but I'm pretty sure Simon's adopted."
Earl, the school bus driver, "You have to know what's worth fightin' for." Matthew Buckley, "Aggression?" Earl, "Aggression will win a battle. But only love will end a war."
Ralph Buckley, as the family gets out of their car at night to leave anonymous "elving" gifts, "All right, boys. He who falls behind gets left behind." Pam Buckley, mom, "Yep!" Ralph, "Including women." Pam, "Ralph!" Ralph, "Shhh!"
Pam Buckley, outside the car, "Don't let dad drive off without me." Matthew, "Okay."
Matthew, "I mean, how do you love your enemy if they won't stop hurting you?"
