Saturday at the Movies 12/6

Well, I guess either the Blogger goof threw everyone off or no one but Libby and I have ever seen this movie!

Okay, back to "The Gathering".

Adam Thornton finds out he is dying. We're never told what it is, but it's a rapid thing. He has been estranged from his wife and children for years, and feels the need to see them all again before he dies, but doesn't want anyone to know what's going on. He goes to his wife to get contact information for his youngest son, Bud, with whom he had a major argument over the Vietnam War. Bud defected to Canada, and no one knows where he is.

Wife finds out what is going on, and that a road trip will take too much time. So they plan an old-fashioned family gathering for Christmas. Of course, there are hard feelings that must be dealt with and relationships that must be patched.

The gift from Adam's friend, the doctor? A huge box of Fourth of July fireworks that Adam and his oldest son shoot off at about 2am Christmas morning. This is when the son figures out what is going on--and he's the only one who does.

What Adam gave his wife, Kate? A leather-bound album of family photos found in the attic.

What Kate gave Adam? A telescope. He'd always wanted to learn more about the stars and constellations, but had been too busy with his business to take the time. (We learn about this when he's thinking, but he doesn't know that Kate remembers)



Okay, do you have those Kleenexes out yet? If you get a chance to rent it from Netflix or somewhere, don't pass it up. Like I said before, it's a great story without being all maudlin and mushy. Ed Asner's character is dignified and crusty enough to keep it from deteriorating.

And you thought the Christmas category would be easy, didn't you?

Okay, more familiar movie highlighted on Saturday!