theoneheart A wonderfully uplifting movie reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas marred mainly by introducing the politics of separation. The movie's promotion of the imagined war on Christmas undermined its message of humility, giving and love. Our government of the people (70% Christian), by the people and for the people is not our enemy or the enemy of Christian principles unless we make it so. The government or ACLU so reviled in this movie can and has supported many principles illuminated therein. The Perfect Gift lost its perfection not in the imperfect acting, it lost its perfection in the politic of propaganda and separation.

cassiejo-244-357836 I disagree with ferrel-g's review, in that I think the film's NCFC (ACLU clone) merely points to the lengths such organizations go to to disallow any displays of Christianity. It is an exaggeration, yes, but I don't think it is very far from reality. The mention at one point that a little girl had to turn her shirt inside-out at school because it said Merry Christmas is a scene that has played out in real life throughout the USA in recent years. Also the no "Christmas" party rule in the movie is a common thing in many companies in our PC land. This reviewer saw the nasty side of the NCFC spokesman(as pointed our by reviewer ferrel-g), but the head pastor was also portrayed as an unsavory character! AND, in the end both stiff necked fellows came around. I totally enjoyed this movie. I thought the acting was good and the plot endearing. I purchased several to give as gifts!

farrell-g I'm actually watching this right now, and I've been literally face- palming as I watch it. At one point, Jesus (represented by the drifter "Jess" in the film) works on building a Nativity display for a church's Christmas celebration. The pastor of the church is visited by members of an organization, the "National Civil Freedom Coalition" that's meant to be a very-thinly-disguised version of the ACLU. They explain to the pastor that due to a new city law prohibiting displays of religious symbols in the business district, they would no longer be permitted to have the crèche on their property. It seems the road in front of the church has been deemed to be part of the business district. "But we're a church!" protests the pastor. The "NCFC" fellows tell him almost gleefully that they'll be fined $5000.00 if they don't take it down, which they do, all leading up to a very "It's a Wonderful Life" ending. Throughout it all, the ACLU-stand-ins are practically sneering and twirling their mustaches as they contemplate the church losing this battle.The funny thing is that no city would ever be permitted to disallow a Nativity scene or any other religious symbol on church property, regardless of whether it can be viewed from the road. In fact, that's usually the purpose.Also, if such a law had been passed, the ACLU (or equivalent) would have been at the forefront in the defense of the civil liberties and constitutional rights of the church, as they have often defended churches and Christian causes in the past.It's because of these extraordinarily implausible and unrealistic plot devices that I just had to practically bang my head against my desk.I have no problem with the deeper message of kindness touching the heart of the outcast, disaffected or bitter, or that of a town coming together to right a wrong; indeed, these have been constant ideas since the invention of film, and in plays before that. However, it seems that the filmmakers either had little or no knowledge of how their conflict would play out in the real world, or have a very biased and unrealistic view of it.The acting was fair enough, and the scenic work was fine, which gave it the stars it got from me. I could think of better Christmas films to watch, and unless you want to give warped ideas to your church youth groups, I'd find another movie for them.

dennis Now here is a Christmas movie with TRUE family values.This is the story of an out-of-town carpenter, who notices a minister "trying" to build a large Nativity scene in front of his church. Jess offers to erect it, as a favor.A high school girl needs to compose a story about Christmas, or flunk her class. Jess helps her along, and everyone else he meets.This movie moves along pretty slowly (a definite plus for me), and shows the transformation in several people. Spirituality is different from religiosity (spiritual is about feelings ... religion is about rules). This is a feel-good movie.