The Christmas Project (2016)

A writer looks back on his memorable 1986 Christmas, dealing with brothers, bullies, first love, pregnancy and family "elving."

Director:

Michael Buster

Writers:

Sally Meyer (screenplay), Matthew Buckley (based on: novels by)

Stars:

Jacob Buster, Anson Bagley, Josh Reid

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jacob Buster	...	Matthew Buckley
Anson Bagley	...	Simon Buckley
Josh Reid	...	Peter Buckley
Cooper Daniel Johnson	...	John Buckley (as Cooper Johnson)
Alison Akin Clark	...	Pam Buckley
Brian Neal Clark	...	Ralph Buckley
Grace Hallows	...	Juniper Goodman
Evan Clark	...	Allen Goodman
Caitlin E.J. Meyer	...	Monica Goodman (as Caitlin Meyer-Stewart)
Gabe White	...	Finn Hagbart
Skyler M. Day	...	Feeb Hagbart
Caroline Labrum	...	Fae Hagbart
Abigail Baugh	...	Francie Hagbart
Michael Buster	...	Adult Matthew (voice)
Pam Eichner	...	Mrs. Honeywell

Storyline

The Buckley family, consisting of two parents, four pre-pubescent brothers and a baby on the way, deals with the antics of its young sons and their struggles with the Hagbart family during the Christmas season. Actions center on Matthew, the second eldest son, who grows up to be a writer and narrates the action from fifteen years in future. The Buckleys devote themselves to "elving," selecting a family on hard times who could use a bit of anonymous gift-giving (usually food) to see them through. 1986 was a memorable year as the "elved" family turned out to be the Hagbarts, whose eldest son, Finn (held back a year and bigger than most of his classmates), bullied all at school with particular focus on Matthew. With charity comes insight.

---

Plot Keywords:

year 1986 | paint | pizza | catalogue | narration | 

---

Genres:

Family

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian French

Release Date:

3 November 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Elving Project

Filming Locations:

Mapleton, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Blue Marble Media, Curiously Strong Productions, Elving Movie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally titled "The Elving Project."

---

Goofs

When Earl intervenes in the school fight, little Francie Hagbart (Abigail Baugh) can twice be seen shifting her gaze to the camera.

---

Quotes

Adult Matthew: Yep, angels are real. I've met one.

---

Soundtracks

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
(uncredited)
Melody by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (as Felix Mendelssohn)

User Reviews

Nice Film

Review Date 3/9/2018

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. I AVE OVER 400 REVIEWS OF "CHRISTMAS RELATED FILMS & SPECIALS" WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

This is a nice film. If you liked "A Christmas Story" then you will like this as well. Pay no attention to the Imdb Score. It's a joy to watch!

In this film four brother are very excited that it is "A Christmas Time" our brothers prepare for war when they're forced to deliver secret holiday gifts to the school bullies. But they soon learn kindness goes a long way. Also forgiving starts the healing. These are lesson "It shows the audience and your not hit over the head with the message.

This film however copied "A Christmas Story" (And maybe a few others) but it is avery watchable film that you may want to see again sometime soon.