Well, what if you didn't have a tree?
The House Without A Christmas Tree tells the story about one little girl who wished for nothing more than a big, green tree of her own. In 1946 Nebraska, 10-year-old Addie is resolute on getting a Christmas tree for her home. However, Addie's father, James Mills (played by the award-winning Jason Robards), is a jaded older man still in mourning over the death of his wife, who died shortly after Addie was born. James becomes a literal Ebenezer Scrooge to his daughter, and refuses to allow her a Christmas tree, or to even celebrate the season at all. Addie's grandmother (Mildred Natwick) is determined to mend the rift growing between her morose son and her hopeful granddaughter. In a twist of irony, Addie happens to win a Christmas tree in a school contest, and decides to take it home.
The House Without A Christmas Tree really is a Christmas classic in the truest form. The acting is superb and sincerely touching. Jason Robards' character is amazing, and at one point, I wanted to jump up from my couch and shake him until his eyes rattled. No one should be that stubborn! You can really tell that he is in deep despair over the loss of his wife, and almost seems to blame his daughter for reminding him of his wife. The main issue of the movie is how James deals with loss and moving on with his life. It is amazing how upbeat and chipper his daughter is, all things considered, and I think James finds her at fault for being able to move on when he cannot. Addie's grandmother plays a very integral part in The House Without A Christmas Tree. If it weren't for her character, Addie and her father would have most likely drifted further apart until their relationship would have been impossible to mend.
The House Without A Christmas Tree was made in 1972 and, therefore, looks a bit like a BBC play. The sound quality is a tad flat, which can be expected of an older movie. The House Without A Christmas Tree is based on the autobiographical book by Gail Rock, and is meant to convey the illustrations that were in the book with the scenes. At times, The House Without A Christmas Tree reminded me of when I was younger and eavesdropping on my parents while they were chatting with my grandparents. It has a very nostalgic feel. I would recommend trying to obtain the DVD over the VHS for quality matters, however.
The setting of the movie really comes across in the clothing and family dynamics. Even the classroom setup makes the movie seem twenty years older than it is!
The House Without A Christmas Tree has scenes of James Mills smoking, which normally would not be shown in films that are aimed at a younger viewing audience. James also swears mildly at one point, so this might be a point of contention among parents as well. Another issue that might cause concern is when James has a bit of a meltdown toward Addie. It is a trace intense, and again, would not be seen in a movie for a young audience today. All in all, The House Without A Christmas Tree has got me ready for the Christmas season and some spiced eggnog! As a side note, you might not want to watch it around people that you would mind seeing you cry.
