Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage (2008)

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:

Peter O'Toole, Jared Padalecki, Marcia Gay Harden

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 | painting | mortgage | artist | painter | 

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Taglines:

Love is the brightest light of all.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, some suggestive content and smoking

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jared Padalecki and Richard Burgi are both in the 2009 reboot of Friday the 13th.

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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

Thomas Kinkade: When I went to see Glen the next evening, he had gone home for good. He was back where the light burns brighter than we could ever imagine. Pacem, Glen. Peace. You showed me the light, a light that has filled my life ever since.

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Crazy Credits

Inspired by true events

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Soundtracks

We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Written by John H. Hopkins (as Rev. John Henry Hopkins)
Performed by Siiri Rebane

User Reviews

Well Made.

Review Date 6/20/2019

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

This film has "Christmas Spirit" to spare. It is a well made star filled story that you can't help but to overlook that it does rip-off of "It's a Wonderful Life". In this film Christmas Cottage tells the semi-autobiographical tale of how a young boy is propelled to launch a career as an artist after he learns that his mother is in danger of losing the family home.

The film works and that is all that matters. Watch it with your family!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Christmas Cottage

Filming Locations:

Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,718

Company Credits

Production Co:

Birch Grove Films, Firm Films, Lionsgate

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1