Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage (2008)
"Christmas Cottage" (original title)

A look at the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkade's painting The Christmas Cottage, and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home.

Director:

Michael Campus

Writer:

Ken LaZebnik

Stars:

Jared Padalecki, Marcia Gay Harden, Peter O'Toole

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jared Padalecki	...	Thomas Kinkade
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Maryanne Kinkade
Peter O'Toole	...	Glen
Aaron Ashmore	...	Pat Kinkade
Richard Burgi	...	Bill Kinkade
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Butch
Chris Elliott	...	Ernie (as Chris Elliot)
Richard Moll	...	Big Jim
Kiersten Warren	...	Tanya
Jay Brazeau	...	Mr. Rosa
Charlotte Rae	...	Vesta
Edward Asner	...	Sidney
Tegan Moss	...	Nanette
Gina Holden	...	Hope
Malcolm Stewart	...	Lloyd

Storyline

Necessity is the mother of invention. In the weeks leading up to Christmas 1977, Maryanne Kinkade has fallen behind in her mortgage payments and is about to lose her small house in Placerville, a town in California's gold country in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Her son Thom, who attends art school and is in his 20s, determines to make the transition from amateur to professional painter to help save the family's home. He seeks advice from an aging mentor.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | mentor | competitiveness | mourning | decline | 

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Taglines:

Love is the brightest light of all.

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, some suggestive content and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sterling Media, Birch Grove Films, Firm Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Glen listens to Debussy's "Clair de Lune" a few times, which is not listed among music used in the film.

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Goofs

In the Hangtown Saloon, the pianist's hands are nearly motionless as he plays the blues.

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Quotes

Bill Kinkade: I read once that drinking was dangerous, so I gave up reading.

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Crazy Credits

Inspired by true events

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Soundtracks

"This Christmas Time (Hope To Find The Way)"
Written by Dave Pelman (as W David Pelman)
Performed by Dave Pelman (as W David Pelman) and The Staunch Balladeers

User Reviews

Overly melodramatic, but a good performance by Padalecki

This biographical TV movie takes a look at artist Thomas Kinkade (played by 'Supernatural''s Jared Padalecki) and how he was inspired to paint his most famous piece: The Christmas Cottage.

While not a fan of Thomas Kinkade myself, I am a fan of Jared Padalecki and thought this looked like an interested piece of work to see him in. It's a rare time to not see Padalecki fighting demons or serial killers, so it'd be good to see him trying something new. While Padalecki did a fairly good job, the film was simply mediocre. The narration was annoying and trite and the overall story was far too hokey and cheesy to be taken seriously. It will work well with fans of Hallmark Movie-of-the-Weeks and the like, but anyone looking for some quality, illuminating cinema. . . move on, this one isn't for you.

Final verdict: 6/10.