Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

MovieMan1111 Billy Ray Cyrus can Act! I was hesitant to watch a movie carried by Billy Ray Cyrus, but within minutes I was watching Daniel Burton and was submersed into this film.The concern for his young son DJ's biggotry and the parenting skills he utilized to overcome his son's views were genius.The rest of the cast was great, the two young boy's had excellent chemistry, the hatred turned friendship was very believable! I really enjoyed the scene when Rodney tricked DJ into thinking he had consumed Skunk Stew - DJ's reaction to the news and subsequent sprint to the balcony had me laughing for minutes. The grown up version of the boys was well cast,the friendship blossomed to include Rodney as(family) which was very moving.Watching a period piece is often overlooked as it lacks the high tech distractions offered in today's films, but Christmas in Canaan delivered thought provoking content and was a surprise holiday hit for me! I even ordered the DVD from amazon! ENJOY

Michael Morrison Leery of TV Christmas movies, I watched this one on the Hallmark Channel recently (December, 2010) with my finger on the channel changer.But I'm glad I didn't leave.First, it is a wonderful story, just what we need to remind us that, despite politicians, such as George W. Bush and Barack Obama, playing such hob with the economy, tough times don't last and tough people do."Canaan" is also another reminder that a movie can be good even with a cast of -- at least to me at this viewing -- unrecognizable actors.Every player, even the youngest, was thoroughly believable.The script avoided clichés or, if seeming clichés were unavoidable, used them to creatively further the story.Sure, it might make any good-hearted person cry, but there is nothing wrong with that, especially around Christmas time.

brohdaw First, I agree with jlynrobertson's comment about compassion being on the TV; it's refreshing to know there are still TV shows out there that we can value with our children and loved ones...my son (12 yrs. old) watch the movie with me and he had tons of 'why' and 'how' questions and I was so glad that he realized there was a true meaning behind this movie...and hope there are enough shows like this to last him a lifetime that he can learn from - as opposed to being in such a hurry and snubbing people off like we see so often in real life and the violence we even see even in cartoons now.Second, I agree with claudiapatx's comment that the part about the pictures from a catalog as Christmas gifts - made me cry too! (and wouldn't you know, that's when my sister calls on the phone LOL Excellent, excellent movie!!!

bobbadger-1 I saw what I considered to be a few inconsistencies in the movie. However, even though I grew up in a small town in Texas, it wasn't close Canaan because Taylor (the other town mentioned in the movie) is close to four hundred miles from my hometown. And I didn't grow up in rural Texas in the sixties. It was the fifties. So that probably explains the few scenes that I considered had strayed from historical and social accuracy because I was busy being a teenager in the sixties and wasn't paying close attention to society or history.Those perceived anomalies notwithstanding, I was awed by the performance of Emily Tennant as Sarah/Sissy. Even though she played the character of a teenage girl quite convincingly, some of her more dramatic scenes perfectly depicted a young woman much older and more mature than her years. Her body language and facial expressions, especially during the scene on the porch with the father after Rodney's mother had come to claim him, made me think that she was, in fact, the "momma" of the family instead of merely being the eldest child. There was no doubt that she intended to protect all her family from any harm she could possibly thwart. During the film, the character nurtured every other character in the family, and Emily's portrayal was magnificently and convincingly accomplished.The writer, all the actors, the director and crew deserve accolades for a wonderful story.