The Tree That Saved Christmas (2014) - full transcript

[***]

[LAUGHING]

MOLLY, SLOW DOWN!

[LAUGHING] I'M FLYING!

WAIT UP!

[GIGGLING]

ARE WE THERE YET?

UH, ALMOST.

KEEP GOING.

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

TA-DAH!



WE CAME ALL THE WAY
UP HERE FOR THAT?

IT LOOKS LIKE
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE.

SHE NEEDS
OUR LOVE, LUCAS.

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL
ABOUT THIS ONE?

WELL...

SOMEDAY, SHE'S GOING TO BE
THE BIGGEST,

MOST BEAUTIFUL
TREE IN THE FOREST.

WHY DID YOU BRING YOUR GUITAR?

MUSIC HELPS HER GROW.

[CHECKS TUNING]

[STRUMMING]

HAVE YOU NAMED IT YET?

NOT "IT."

"HER."



SHE'S A GIRL TREE?

OF COURSE.

I MEAN, WELL, JUST LOOK AT HER.

WHY DON'T WE CALL HER
MOLLY'S TREE?

YEAH.

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

MOLLY'S TREE.

SIGN THE FINAL
PAGE THERE...

AND NOW WE NEED
ONE MORE DUPLICATE.

WHEN I THINK OF

ALL THE TREES
THAT WERE SACRIFICED

TO MAKE ALL THIS PAPER--

WELL, THINK ABOUT
HOW ALL THIS PAPER

IS GOING TO BUY YOU ANOTHER
200 ACRES OF FARMLAND, GORDON.

WE'RE GOING TO
PAY OFF THIS LOAN

AS SOON AS WE CAN, ELLIOT.

THAT'S OUR PLAN.

OF COURSE YOU ARE.

SIGN HERE.

INITIAL HERE.

IS THAT ONE OF LUCAS'S?

WHAT?

OH.

HIS MOTHER MADE ME
BRING IT DOWN,

PUT IT IN THE OFFICE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

HE'S VERY TALENTED.

HE SHOULD BE OUTSIDE

PLAYING FOOTBALL,

NOT HOLED UP IN A DARKROOM

SOMEWHERE.

I SUPPOSE YOU HAVE
THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MOLLY.

NO. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF
EVERYTHING MOLLY DOES.

SHE WANTS TO BE A WRITER,
DOESN'T SHE?

SHE'S THE BRIGHTEST KID
IN HER CLASS.

SHE COULD BE A SCHOOL TEACHER

OR A NURSE.

THESE KIDS WITH THEIR
PRETENTIOUS ASPIRATIONS.

THEY'RE JUST CHILDREN, ELLIOT.

YEAH. RIGHT.

AH, ONE LAST SIGNATURE,
AND WE'RE DONE.

I HOPE WE'RE NOT
MAKING A MISTAKE.

YOU'RE JUST DOING WHAT
YOUR FATHER DID, GORDON.

EVERY GENERATION
EXPANDED THE FARM.

IF YOU FOLLOW YOUR HEART,
YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

COME ON, LET'S CELEBRATE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[RINGS BELL]

WHAT ARE YOU
WORKING ON, HONEY?

EVERY TREE HAS
A STORY TO TELL.

YOU KNOW THAT.

WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?

WHAT'S THIS
TREE'S STORY?

WELL...

MAYBE...

IT'S GOING TO GO
TO A FAMILY

WHO DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY
TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.

A PRIEST FROM THEIR CHURCH
WILL BUY IT FOR THEM

AND LEAVE IT
AT THEIR DOORSTEP

AS A SURPRISE.

IT'S GONNA BE
THEIR BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.

[CHUCKLES]

WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU
COME UP WITH THIS STUFF?

SOMEDAY,

LUCAS AND I ARE GOING
TO MOVE TO NEW YORK CITY.

HE'S GOING TO TAKE PICTURES
OF SKYSCRAPERS,

AND I'M GOING
TO WRITE STORIES ABOUT...

ABOUT EVERYTHING!

[CHAINSAW DRONING]

MOM, WHERE'S DAD?

UP ON THE RIDGE ROUTE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME
UP THERE, RIGHT NOW!

THEY'RE MAKING ROOM
FOR THE HEALTHY TREES.

IT'S NOT RIGHT!

IF YOUR FATHER DOESN'T DO IT,

THEY'LL BE A LIGHTNING STRIKE
OR A FIRE.

THAT'S THE LAW OF THE FOREST.

THAT'S A FAKE GROWN-UP LAW,
AND YOU KNOW IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT,
YOU ARE RIGHT.

LET'S GO.

[CHAINSAW DRONING]

[GASPING IN FRIGHT]

MOLLY! MOLLY!

WAIT!

MOLLY, WAIT UP!
MOLLY!

[CHAINSAWS DRONE,
SAWS RASPING]

GORDON!

[GORDON]: MOLLY!

-GORDON!
-MOLLY!

NO! NO!

MOLLY, SWEETIE,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

THAT'S A RUNNING SAW.

LISTEN--

THAT'S MY TREE.

YOU CAN'T CUT HER DOWN.
LEAVE HER ALONE.

WE HAVE TO
CUT IT DOWN.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT
GOING TO MAKE IT.

THAT'S A GIRL TREE.

HER NAME'S MOLLY.

THIS IS PART OF THE JOB.

IF WE TAKE HER,

WE GIVE
ALL THE OTHER TREES

A FIGHTING CHANCE.

BUT SHE DESERVES
A FIGHTING CHANCE

JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

I'M AFRAID
WE'RE JUST TOO LATE.

IT WOULD TAKE A MIRACLE
TO SAVE THAT TREE.

THEN MAKE A MIRACLE, DADDY.

YOU CAN DO IT.

OH, GORDON,

ISN'T THERE
SOMETHING YOU CAN DO?

[***]

LOTS OF IT.

TONS, YEAH.

THERE WE GO.

SOMEDAY,

THIS TREE WILL HAVE
A STORY TO TELL.

[ROAR OF TRAFFIC]

[DISTANT SIRENS WAIL]

[YELPS] UGH!

EW...

REALLY?

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

OH!

UH...

HELLO!

YES. OH, YES, SIR.

I WILL BE THERE A.S.A.P.

UH-HUH.

YUP, I AM ON MY WAY.

GOOD MORNING, TARA.

HE'S SCREAMING
FOR THE BRADBURY FILE.

[SIGHS] I WAS JUST
GRABBING SOME LUNCH.

LUNCH?

IT WAS FAST FOOD.

NOT FAST ENOUGH.

MS. LOGAN?

SIR, YOU WERE
ASKING FOR

THE BRADBURY
ACQUISITION FILE?

I HAVE SOMETHING
FAR MORE PRESSING.

SOMETHING YOU'RE
BETTER SUITED FOR.

UM, THESE ARE
CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS.

GET MY GIRLS
EVERYTHING THEY WANT.

HAVE IT GIFT WRAPPED,
WITH CARDS,

YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

ISN'T THIS SOMETHING
YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO YOURSELF?

AND I NEED YOU
TO RUN DINNER OVER TONIGHT.

THE COOK'S DOWN WITH THE FLU.

'TIS THE SEASON.

I ACTUALLY HAVE
MY WRITERS' GROUP TONIGHT.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME--

AND WHILE YOU'RE
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING,

PICK SOMETHING OUT FOR YOURSELF.

EXCUSE ME?

WHATEVER YOU LIKE,

WITHIN REASON.

AND GET SOMETHING FOR TARA.

INEXPENSIVE PERFUME.

SHE REEKS OF IT.

[TSKS IN DISAPPROVAL]

LORD VOLDEMORT LETTING YOU
GO HOME EARLY?

THAT'LL BE THE DAY.

RIGHT?

YOU MUST BE
SO EXCITED ABOUT TONIGHT?

I SPENT MONTHS ON
THAT SHORT STORY,

AND NOW IT'S GOING
BACK ON THE SHELF.

OH, NO!

WELL...

WHAT IS IT THIS TIME?

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
FOR VICTORIA AND SOFIA.

YOU KNOW,
I TOOK THIS JOB,

THINKING THAT I WOULD BE
READING MANUSCRIPTS

AND WRITING STORY REPORTS.

AND THE ONLY WRITING
I DO THESE DAYS

IS PENNING SICK NOTES
FOR HIS GIRLS AT SCHOOL.

THIS IS WHAT
AN IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION BUYS US.

BE PROUD,

AT LEAST HE GAVE YOU
THE SHOPPING ASSIGNMENT,

AND YOU'RE
THE NEW GIRL.

DO YOU THINK ANYONE
EVER CALLED J.K. ROWLING

THE "NEW GIRL."

J.K. ROWLING
WAS PRACTICALLY HOMELESS

BEFORE "HARRY POTTER."

AT LEAST YOU HAVE A JOB.

GOOD POINT.

SEE YOU LATER.

[HORNS HONKING, TRAFFIC ROARS]

I'M STARVED.

DID YOU GET MUSHU?

UH-HUH.

LET'S GO.

ALRIGHTY.

OKAY...

THANK YOU.

WELL, YOU MIGHT WANT TWO.

OH, YOU CAN USE A FORK.

OH, YOU CAN USE A FORK.
HERE.

HERE.

NO, I WANT TO
DO IT LIKE YOU.

OKAY, LIKE... LIKE THIS.

CAN YOU
STAY OVER TONIGHT?

WE COULD HAVE
A SLUMBER PARTY.

WE DON'T HAVE
SCHOOL TOMORROW.

UH, WELL, I ACTUALLY
STILL HAVE A FEW ERRANDS

I HAVE TO DO FOR YOUR FATHER,

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT,

CAROLYN'S GOING TO
TAKE OVER AT 7:00.

WE HATE CAROLYN.

HER BREATH
SMELLS LIKE MOTHBALLS

AND SHE'S ALWAYS
WEARING MEN'S SHOES.

SHE'S A GOOD SITTER,
YOU GUYS.

I WISH
YOU COULD LIVE HERE.

OH...

DID YOU BRING
ANY OF YOUR STORIES?

WHAT HAPPENED?

LIFE.

READ ONE! PLEASE?

WE LOVE YOUR STORIES.

MY DAD ALWAYS SAYS

THE FIRST SENTENCE
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

ALL RIGHT,
BUT JUST THE FIRST SENTENCE.

"THOUGH SHE HAD NO WINGS,

"SHE KNEW IN HER HEART

"THAT IF SHE HAD THE COURAGE,

SHE COULD FLY."

YOU GUYS ARE AN EASY AUDIENCE.

MOLLY.

I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

BRING THE CALENDARS.

CONFIRM THE HOLIDAY GUEST LIST
WITH THE PARTY PLANNER.

HE'LL BE DECORATING
THE TOWNHOUSE TODAY.

I WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE
WINTER WONDERLAND.

OH, THE GIRLS
ARE GOING TO LOVE THAT.

I'VE DECIDED ON THE AZORES
FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS BREAK.

I'VE SCHEDULED A MEETING

WITH ONE OF
THE BRADBURY PARTNERS.

HE'LL BE VACATIONING
ON THE ISLAND.

WELL...

I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU
BASKING IN THE SUN

WHILE I'M FREEZING
AND SHIVERING UP IN VERMONT.

I PLAN ON CLOSING THAT DEAL
WHILE I'M AWAY.

I EXPECT YOU TO BE ON MY DESK
TO FIELD THE PAPERWORK.

MR. DUNLAP, IT'S-
IT'S CHRISTMAS.

I KNOW, I'M DISAPPOINTED, TOO,

BUT THE BRADBURY ACQUISITION
IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT.

I KNEW YOU'D UNDERSTAND.

[SIGHING]

SO SORRY.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

WALTER DUNLAP'S OFFICE.

WOW.

SUCH ENTHUSIASM.

HEY. I'M JUST HAVING
ONE OF THOSE DAYS, RYAN.

SORRY TO HEAR THAT, KIDDO.

HMM.

HOLD ON A SECOND,

I'VE GOT A SKYLIGHT
STUCK TO MY FINGER HERE.

HAVE YOU TALKED TO MOM
IN THE LAST FEW DAYS?

UH, NO, ACTUALLY.

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL HER,

BECAUSE I'M GOING TO
HAVE TO CHANGE MY TRAVEL PLANS.

WELL, THIS MIGHT CHANGE
YOUR TRAVEL PLANS EVEN MORE.

APPARENTLY,

THE BANK IS FORECLOSING
ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

WHAT?

I GOT A CALL FROM
AN OLD HIGH SCHOOL BUDDY.

HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT,

AND THEN I CALLED DAD
AND ASKED HIM,

AND HE TRIED TO BRUSH IT OFF.

APPARENTLY, THEY TOOK OUT
SOME KIND OF SECOND MORTGAGE,

LIKE, 20 YEARS AGO,

AND GOT BEHIND ON THE PAYMENTS

DURING THE RECESSION.

NOW THE BANK'S
TRYING TO FORECLOSE.

THEY WEREN'T GOING TO TELL US
UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

THIS IS CRAZY.

MOM AND DAD
LIVE AND BREATHE THE FARM.

IT GETS WORSE.

THEY'VE ALREADY
LINED UP A BUYER.

APPARENTLY, THEY'RE GOING TO
TURN THE PLACE

INTO A GOLF RESORT.

THEY'RE GOING TO
CLEARCUT ALL THE TREES.

[DUNLAP]:
MOLLY, I NEED YOU.

GO, BEFORE HE HAS A CORONARY.

H-- MOLLY? HELLO?

THE PARTY PLANNER IS
ON HIS WAY TO THE TOWNHOUSE.

I'LL BE RIGHT WITH YOU, SIR!

I NEED YOU
OVER THERE, NOW.

DON'T LET THEM GO CRAZY
WITH THE RIBBONS AND BOWS,

AND NO RED VELVET.

YES, SIR! UNDERSTOOD.

RYAN, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

[FEEDBACK]

RYAN?

[OPERATOR]: WE'RE SORRY.

YOUR CALL CANNOT BE COMPLETED
AS DIALED.

OH, NO RED VELVET.

ORDERS FROM ON HIGH.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL
STRUCTURE, THOUGH.

GOOD STRONG BOUGH WEEP
AND GOOD NEEDLE RETENTION.

WOW, YOU SOUND LIKE AN EXPERT.

OH, NO.

WELL, MAY YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY

HAVE A WONDERFUL
CHRISTMAS.

THANK YOU, IT'S NOT
FOR ME, THOUGH.

MY APARTMENT DON'T EVEN HAVE
A PLASTIC SANTA.

THANK YOU.

[TREE CREAKS, JINGLING]

WELL, AGAIN,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

UH... GUYS?

UH, I THINK I NEED
A LITTLE HELP HERE?

BECAUSE... GUYS?

IMPOSSIBLE.

NO WAY...

WELL, I HAVE NO IDEA
WHAT IT MEANS,

BUT IN A CITY
OF 19 MILLION PEOPLE,

THIS TREE FOUND ME.

THIS IS REAL LIFE, SIS,

IT'S NOT
ONE OF YOUR SHORT STORIES.

I'VE GOT TO GO.

WHAT WAS THAT TONE
IN YOUR VOICE?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

[SIGHING]

OKAY.

[GRUNTING WITH EFFORT]

[MOLLY]: MR. DUNLAP,
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU.

I'VE ARRANGED FOR ANOTHER TREE
TO BE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE.

THE ONE THEY SENT OVER
JUST REALLY WASN'T RIGHT.

I'M SO SORRY, BUT
'M ACTUALLY HEADED TO VERMONT.I

I HAVE A FAMILY EMERGENCY.

I'M HAVING SOMEONE
OVER MY DESK FOR THE HOLIDAYS.C

I'M REALLY SORRY TO LEAVE YOU
N SUCH SHORT NOTICE LIKE THIS,O

BUT I WILL CHECK IN WITH YOU
AS SOON AS I CAN...

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

THIS IS MY TREE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

TAXI!

TAXI!

WAIT!

[HONKING CHEERILY]

[LAUGHING HAPPILY]

DAD!

OH, SWEETHEART.

[LAUGHING]

HEY, MOM.

MOLLY!

[LAUGHING IN DELIGHT]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T GET AWAY?

OH...

RYAN?

HE KNEW ALL ALONG,
DIDN'T HE?

WE WANTED TO KEEP IT
A SURPRISE.

SWEETHEART, YOU DIDN'T
NEED TO BRING A TREE.

[CHUCKLING]

THIS IS NOT JUST ANY TREE, DAD.

OKAY...

RIGHT OVER HERE.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES

OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS
HAPPENING, THOUGH?

I MEAN, MY TRE FOUN ME.

IT'S AMAZING.

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW
IT'S YOUR TREE?

OH, NO QUESTION.

THERE'S THE GASH IN THE TRUNK,

AND THE ORANGE STAIN.

WHEN I SAW IT,

I JUST, I KNEW
I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

CHANCE, RANDOM ACT.

I MEAN, WHATEVER
YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

THIS TREE BROUGHT ME HOME
FOR A REASON.

IT'S A SIGN.

OF WHAT?

RYAN AND I
ARE GOING TO HELP YOU.

LOOK, HONEY,

LET ME STOP YOU
RIGHT THERE.

WE ABSOLUTELY
APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT,

BUT WE DON'T WANT

TO BURDEN YOU TWO
WITH OUR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS
TOGETHER, DAD.

WHEN WE TOOK
THAT SECOND MORTGAGE,

WE NEVER EXPECTED--

MOM,

IT'S NO ONE'S FAULT.

WELL, LET'S NOT
RUIN EVERYTHING

TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO.

YOUR FATHER AND I ARE JUST
HAPPY TO HAVE YOU KIDS

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.

[***]

IT'S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT.

YEAH.

THIS IS TOUGH
ON ALL OF US, MOLLY.

I KNOW HOW MUCH
THE FARM MEANS TO YOU.

"EVERY TREE
TELLS A STORY," HUH?

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT.

DAD...

RYAN AND I ARE REALLY
SERIOUS ABOUT HELPING.

MY HEART'S ALWAYS
GOING TO BE HERE.

I MEAN, THIS PLACE
IS WHAT GROUNDS ME.

I DON'T EVER WANT TO LOSE THAT.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE SHOULD
DECORATE IT TOMORROW.

WE'LL FIND THAT
BIG GLITTERY ANGEL

THAT WE USUALLY
PUT ON IT?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

EVERYTHING'S
PACKED, MOLLY.

YOU PACKED
THE ORNAMENTS?

THERE'S NOT EVEN
A STRAND OF LIGHTS?

YOUR FATHER AND I DECIDED

WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO A TREE
THIS YEAR.

MOM...

IT'S STILL CHRISTMAS.

PUTTING UP A TREE

WOULD HAVE MADE THIS
EVEN HARDER.

YOUR FATHER IS
BEING A SAINT,

BUT I KNOW
THIS IS KILLING HIM.

AT LEAST WE'VE GOT ONE MORE
HOLIDAY HERE ALL TOGETHER,

AND THAT'S
WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

[HAMMERING]

[BANGING AND HAMMERING]

IT STANDS
THE TEST OF TIME, HUH?

MAYBE A LITTLE TOUCH-UP
HERE AND THERE.

SHOULD JUST DECLARE IT
A HISTORIC LANDMARK.

[CHUCKLES]

YOU KNOW, LIKE THOSE
DOLL HOUSES YOU BUILT FOR ME.

"THIS IS WHERE RYAN LOGAN
STARTED HIS CAREER."

I'VE BEEN THINKING
ABOUT TAKING IT APART,

SHIPPING IT TO SEATTLE.

I JUST CAN'T BEAR
THE THOUGHT OF IT...

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE'RE GOING TO BEAT THIS.

YEAH.

[RINGS BELL]

[RUSTLING PAGES]

[WIND BLOWING]

[PAGES RUSTLING]

[BRANCHES CREAKING,
CHAINSAWS WHIRRING]

[GASPS IN FRIGHT]

[PANTING]

[SCRIBBLING RAPIDLY]

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

[SIGHS]

HELLO?

YESTERDAY WAS JUST
FULL OF SURPRISES, MS. LOGAN.

YES, MR. DUNLAP,

I'M SO SORRY THAT I COULDN'T
TRACK YOU DOWN.

I HOPE EVERYTHING IS OKAY
WITH YOUR FAMILY?

YES. NO.

IT'S-IT'S COMPLICATED.

WELL, EVERYTHING
IS NOT OKAY HERE.

I ALREADY HAD TO
LET GO OF THE TEMP.

THE AGENCY IS
SENDING OVER A REPLACEMENT,

SO SHE'LL PROBABLY CALL YOU
TO GET UP TO SPEED.

TARA'S ABSOLUTELY USELESS.

SO, DOES THIS MEAN
I STILL HAVE A JOB?

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.

THE GIRLS WANT TO KNOW

IF THEY CAN SKYPE YOU
FROM THE AZORES.

OF COURSE.

I REALLY FELT SO BADLY
THAT I HAD TO LEAVE SO QUICKLY--

TARA!

AND SHE'S GONE.

GOTTA GO, MOLLY.

TARA?

TARA!

[SIGHING]

[SIGHING]

[RINGS BELL]

[CHRISTMAS CAROLS
PLAY ON RADIO]

WOW, LOOK AT THOSE
FANCY NEW YORK BOOTS.

THESE ARE
MY WORK BOOTS.

CAN YOU USE A HAND?

COME ON, LET ME
DO SOMETHING.

DON'T YOU REMEMBER
WHAT A GOOD HELP I WAS?

REMEMBER WHAT TO DO
WITH ONE OF THOSE?

THERE YOU GO.

YOU SEE?

WE STILL MAKE
A GOOD TEAM, HUH?

I LEARNED FROM THE BEST.

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

DOESN'T ANYBODY
BUY CHRISTMAS TREES ANYMORE?

OURS AREN'T CHEAP TO GROW.

I CAN'T BEAT THE PRICES
AT THE BIG BOX STORES.

MONEY'S TIGHT.

CAN YOU BLAME THEM?

[CLINKING GLASSES] CHEERS.

MM.

WELL, THE BEER TASTES THE SAME--

A LITTLE SKUNKY,

A LITTLE RANK.

YEAH, LUCAS AND I
USED TO SIT IN THIS BOOTH.

OH, WE'D SIT HERE
FOR HOURS.

THIS WAS
OUR "MAKE-OUT" SPOT.

EW!

[LAUGHING]

YEAH, WE PLANNED
THE REST OF OUR LIVES

RIGHT HERE IN THIS BOOTH.

WOW, I HAVEN'T HEARD YOU
TALK ABOUT HIM IN A LONG TIME.

OH, I NEVER THINK
ABOUT HIM ANYMORE.

HAH! [LAUGHING]

YOU ARE A TERRIBLE LIAR.

YOU EVER HEAR FROM HIM?

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

WELL, YOU DID KIND OF
BREAK HIS HEART, LITTLE SIS.

I DOUBT IT.

COME ON, HE'S
PROBABLY MARRIED

WITH FOUR CHILDREN
BY NOW,

AND DOESN'T EVEN
REMEMBER ME.

ACTUALLY,

I HEARD THAT HE'S WORKING
AT THE BANK WITH HIS OLD MAN.

LUCAS?

MM-HMM.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

THAT MAN COULDN'T
BALANCE A CHECK BOOK

IF HIS LIFE
DEPENDED ON IT.

HEY, CASSIE!

WELL, WELL, WELL.

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

[LUCAS]: ...THE USUAL.

AND EXTRA FRIES?

WELL, HE'S AGED WELL.

[WHISPERING]
SHH! STOP TALKING!

HE MIGHT SEE US.

IS THAT A SUIT
HE'S WEARING?

YEAH, NICE SUIT.

I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THE TIE, THOUGH.

LUCAS IN A TIE?

WHY DON'T WE GO OVER
AND SAY HI?

NO! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?

IS HE GETTING
TAKE-OUT FOR ONE

OR A FAMILY?

UM...

[CLEARS THROAT]

DID YOU LOSE SOMETHING
DOWN THERE, HONEY?

UH...

I JUST, UM...

I JUST SPILLED MY DRINK
A LITTLE BIT.

MM...

IT'S FINE.
IT'S GOOD, THOUGH.

YEAH.

YEAH.

NOW I REMEMBER.

THIS BOOTH,

FAKE IDS,

AND A WHOLE LOT

OF KISSING.

[CHUCKLING AWKWARDLY]

RELIVING YOUR OLD
HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, HUH?

OH, NO, NO, IT WASN'T THAT
AT ALL, ACTUALLY--

WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, HONEY,

YOU WALKED OUT ON
PRINCE CHARMING

IN THAT ONE.

MM-HMM.

SO,

ANOTHER ROUND HERE, I ASSUME?

YES.

YOU LOOK LIKE YOU NEED IT.

YES, PLEASE.

YOU KIDS ARE CRAZY.

LIKE, WHEN YOU MOVE AWAY,
YOU'RE LOSING YOUR MINDS.

ABSOLUTELY.

LOST OUR MINDS

AND SAVED OUR SOULS.

CHEERS TO THAT.

CHEERS.

I JUST WISH WE COULD
TALK TO LUCAS'S DAD

ABOUT MOM AND DAD'S LOAN.

WHAT? THAT GUY?

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

HE IS THE WORST!

DO YOU KNOW

THAT HE WAS THE COACH
OF MY LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM.

[LAUGHING]

YEAH!

HE SAID THAT
I RAN LIKE A GIRL,

AND THEN HE ANNOUNCED IT
FROM THE P.A. SYSTEM

DURING THE ALL STAR GAME.

UGH!

THAT'S JUST BECAUSE
YOU BUILD DOLL HOUSES.

EXCUSE ME?

ARCHITECTURAL DOLL HOUSES.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

[LAUGHING]

IF THEY COULD JUST
MODIFY THEIR MORTGAGE.

OR IF OUR STUDENT LOANS
WEREN'T SO HUGE,

WE COULD BORROW
THE MONEY OURSELVES.

NAH, DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

I THINK YOU'RE BETTER OFF

TALKING TO LUCAS
DIRECTLY ABOUT THAT.

OH, NO, THERE'S NO WAY.

I COULD NEVER DO THAT.

NEVER.

I HATE THAT DAD
STILL WORKS OUT

IN THIS COLD.

HE LOOKS SO TIRED.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER
THOUGHT ABOUT HIM AS OLD

UNTIL THIS MORNING.

YEAH, I JUST HOPE

WE'RE NOT POSTPONING
THE INEVITABLE.

DON'T YOU REMEMBER

WHEN ALL OF THESE PLACES

WERE DECORATED
FOR CHRISTMAS?

YEAH, IT'S BEEN
PRETTY GRIM AROUND HERE

THE LAST FEW YEARS.

YEAH, I MEAN, REALLY,

IT LOOKS LIKE THE TOWN
THAT SANTA FORGOT.

WHEN WE WERE LITTLE,

ALL OF THESE MERCHANTS WOULD
DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS,

AND IT WAS ALWAYS
SO BEAUTIFUL,

AND GAUDY. [CHUCKLES]

ALL THE MOM AND POP SHOPS
ARE WORRIED

THAT IF
PARADISE RESORT HAPPENS,

THEY'RE GONNA GET REPLACED
BY BIG RETAIL CHAINS.

I DON'T BLAME THEM.

IS THIS THE BANK?

THIS IS THE BANK.

IS ANYBODY LOOKING?

WHAT?

MOLLY, WHAT ARE YOU--

[LAUGHING]

LET ME SHOW YOU
HOW IT'S DONE.

OH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

[SMACKS GLASS SHARPLY]

[ALARM WAILING]

RUN. RUN, RUN, RUN.

RUN, RUN, RUN!

[SIRENS WAILING AND BLARING]

[LAUGHING]

[GASPING FOR BREATH]

WHOA, YOU RUN FAST.

AH, THAT BURNS.

[LAUGHING]

I HAVEN'T RUN
THAT HARD FOR YEARS.

I MEAN... [GASPING]

AREN'T YOU
COMING INSIDE?

IT'S FREEZING.

AH, NO, NO, I'M STILL
ON WEST COAST TIME.

SWEET DREAMS.

HEY, IF THE COPS COME BY,

I'M GOING TO TELL THEM
THE SNOWBALLS WERE YOUR IDEA.

THANKS A LOT!

[GASPING]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

HUH.

OH, LUCAS.

[LAUGHING]

OH, WATCH YOUR STEP.

800 PRISTINE ACRES.

36 HOLES OF GOLF.

12 SKI LIFTS.

230 CONDOS...

AND A FIVE-STAR
LUXURY HOTEL.

SO, WE PLAN TO
BULLDOZE THE HOUSE

AND CLEARCUT THE FLATLANDS,

WHILE PRESERVING
THE NATURAL BEAUTY

OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

AND WITH YOUR HELP,

WE WILL BECOME VERMONT'S
FIRST SELF-SUSTAINING,

ALL GREEN, LUXURY RESORT.

AND IF YOU LOOK
IN THE DISTANCE,

YOU'LL SEE A SPRING-FED RIVER

THAT BE DIVERTED
INTO HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

YEAH, WE USED
TO SWIM

IN THAT STREAM.

UH, HI, FOLKS.

WHY DON'T YOU GUYS, UM,

JUST TAKE A LOOK AROUND
BEFORE WE MOVE ON?

WOW, WHAT
A SALES PITCH.

I THINK I'M READY
TO BUY MY TIMESHARE.

MOLLY...

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE HOME.

YEAH, AND I NEVER THOUGHT

I WOULD SEE YOU
IN A SUIT AND TIE.

HOW ARE YOU?

IT'S BEEN
A LONG TIME.

WHEN DID YOU GET IN?

DOES MY FATHER KNOW
YOU'RE HERE?

BECAUSE AS FAR AS
I'M CONCERNED,

I'M PRETTY SURE
THIS IS STILL OUR PROPERTY!

YOUR PARENTS HAVE BEEN
GOING ALONG WITH THINGS

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

LUCAS, YOU'VE KNOWN
MY FAMILY FOREVER.

I MEAN, YOU SPENT MORE TIME
AT OUR DINING ROOM TABLE

THAN YOUR OWN.

HOW COULD YOU GET
MIXED UP IN THIS MESS?

YOU REALLY LOOK GREAT.

THINGS MUST BE GOING WELL.

RYAN AND I
WANT TO TALK TO YOUR FATHER

ABOUT RESTRUCTURING THEIR DEBT.

I'VE HAD A MILLION
CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM.

HE'S NOT GONNA DO IT.

BUT LOOK AT IT THIS WAY,

THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE
GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, WE'VE PROJECTED
IT'S GOING TO BRING

400 PERMANENT,
GOOD-PAYING JOBS.

WHEN DID YOU START
DRINKING THE KOOL-AID?

CAN WE GO TALK INSIDE?

IT'S BEEN SO LONG.

YOU MUST BE FREEZING.

NO, I'M NOT COLD.
I'M NOT COLD.

RIGHT.

I FORGOT ABOUT
THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS ANGER.

THIS IS NOT FUNNY.

NO, YOU'RE RIGHT,
IT'S NOT FUNNY.

LISTEN, WE NEED
THIS RESORT.

THE RECESSION JUST ABOUT
DESTROYED DANBURY.

ALMOST HALF OF THE BUSINESSES
ON MAIN STREET COLLAPSED.

THE BANK DID
EVERYTHING THEY COULD...

YES, I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

JUST GIVE ME...

IT'S NOT LIKE NEW YORK CITY
WHERE THERE'S ENDLESS RESOURCES.

BUT IT'S STILL
THE SAME PROBLEMS, LUCAS,

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF SCALE.

WHEN A SMALL BUSINESS
GOES UNDER IN A SMALL TOWN,

IT'S LIKE DROPPING
A BOULDER INTO A POND.

IT'S AN ECONOMIC TIDAL WAVE.

I'VE LEARNED
A LOT OF UGLY LESSONS

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

LUCAS, YOU'VE GOT TO STOP
RATIONALIZING THIS.

YOU KNOW
THIS IS WRONG,

YOU KNOW THAT IN YOUR HEART.

AT LEAST YOU THINK
I STILL HAVE ONE.

COME ON.

MOLLY, IF THIS GOES
THE WAY WE HAVE PLANNED,

YOUR PARENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE
SOMETHING IN THEIR POCKET,

AND THEY CAN MOVE ON,

AND START A LIFE FOR THEMSELVES
SOMEWHERE ELSE.

A NEW LIFE?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

WHAT THEY WOULD BE
LEAVING BEHIND?

I'M SORRY,
I CAN'T EVEN DO THIS.

MOLLY?

CAN YOU-- WAIT A SE--

WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

HOW DARE HE COME HERE

WITH A BUS LOAD
OF INVESTORS.

[SLAMMING DISHWASHER]

I DON'T LIKE IT EITHER,
BUT HE HAS EVERY RIGHT.

NO, HE DOESN'T.

NOT UNTIL THE DAY
THEY TAKE US AWAY

KICKING AND SCREAMING.

LET IT GO, HONEY.

I ALMOST CAME AND WOKE YOU UP
AT 3:00 IN MORNING.

I HAVE AN IDEA,

AND I WANT TO
TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT.

WELL, RYAN, YOU WOULD HAVE
FOUND ME WIDE AWAKE

AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING,

STARING AT THE CEILING.

YOU SAID SOMETHING YESTERDAY
THAT GOT ME THINKING,

ABOUT MY DOGHOUSE BEING DECLARED
A HISTORIC LANDMARK?

I WAS KIDDING.

NO, NO, NO,

MY DOG HOUSE HAS NOTHING
ON THIS HOUSE.

IT'S ALMOST 200 YEARS OLD.

IT'S SURVIVED FLOODS,

AND FIRES,
AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE.

OUR GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT
GRANDFATHER

BUILT EVERY PIECE BY HAND.

DIDN'T HE EVEN SIGN
THE LAND GRANT FOR THE TOWN?

JONATHAN LOGAN.

YEAH, MOM SAID HE WAS
THE FIRST MAYOR, OR SOMETHING.

YES!

AND YES THIS HOUSE
IS BEAUTIFUL,

BUT WE NEED MONEY,

NOT A SPREAD
IN "ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST."

HEAR ME OUT.

MOST STATES OFFER PROTECTION
FOR HISTORIC MONUMENTS.

YOU GET THE DESIGNATION

FOR EITHER
THE ARCHITECTURE,

OR TO HONOR A HISTORIC PERSON
THAT USED TO LIVE THERE.

WE HAVE BOTH!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

ONCE IT'S DECLARED A LANDMARK,
A BUILDING CAN'T BE TORN DOWN.

IT'S PROTECTED.

THE BANKS CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

THE STATE ISSUES AN E.I.R.

WHAT'S AN E.I.R.?

"ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT."

IT TAKES AT LEAST A YEAR,
BUT THAT'LL BUY US SOME TIME.

OH, YOU REMEMBER
THAT GIRL I DATED, KARLA?

OH.

WHATEVER, IT WAS JUNIOR HIGH.

ANYWAYS, SHE NOW WORKS
AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

YOU SHOULD CALL HER.

I ALREADY DID.

WE'RE MAKING A PRESENTATION
TO THE COUNCIL TOMORROW NIGHT.

[HIGH-FIVING]

NICE.

[CHRISTMAS CAROLERS SINGING]

* ...WE WISH YOU
A MERRY CHRISTMAS *

* WE WISH YOU
A MERRY CHRISTMAS *

* AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR *

* GOOD TIDINGS WE BRING *

HAVE YOU SEEN
THIS EMAIL?

THEY'RE HOLDING
A HEARING TOMORROW

ON THE LOGAN PROPERTY.

WHO STIRRED UP
THAT HORNET'S NEST?

OH, YOU FIND THAT
AMUSING, DO YOU?

THEY'RE CLAIMING THAT
THAT RUNDOWN COW PALACE

IS A HISTORIC SITE.

-WELL, DAD, IT MIGHT BE.
-I DON'T CARE.

IT'S COMING DOWN.

ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE
ON THAT PROPERTY.

BULLDOZE
INTO THE FRACKING GROUND.

THAT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

IS HISTORY, YOUNG MAN.

DO WHATEVER IT TAKES

TO MAKE THAT GO AWAY.

[CHUCKLING AND GUSHING]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

IT SAYS 1856 RIGHT ON THE FRAME.

YEAH, THAT'S
JONATHAN LOGAN.

HE BROUGHT HIS WHOLE FAMILY
OVER HERE FROM SCOTLAND,

THEN HE BUILT THIS HOUSE.

HE LOOKS A LOT
LIKE YOU, RYAN,

ESPECIALLY THE SMILE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT
STUFF, DAD.

I MEAN, NOT JUST
TO THE FAMILY,

BUT TO THE TOWN.

IT SHOULD REALLY BE
IN A MUSEUM.

WELL, WITH YOUR HELP,

MAYBE IT WILL.

YOU GUYS, I'M WORRIED

THIS ISN'T
GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

ARE YOU KIDDING?

I COULD LECTURE THE COUNCIL
FOR THREE HOURS

ON OUR HOUSE
AND THIS FAMILY.

YEAH, BUT THAT'S
EXACTLY OUR PROBLEM.

WE DON'T WANT TO
BORE THEM TO DEATH

WITH SOME
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.

WE NEED PIZZAZZ.

YOU KNOW? LIKE
WHEN I'M WRITING A STORY,

I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE HOOK.

SO, WHAT'S OUR HOOK?

WAIT A MINUTE.

I NEED 100 POUNDS OF SAND,
PAPER BAGS AND MATCHES...

DAD, CAN I BORROW YOUR PICK-UP?

UH...SURE?

THE LOGANS HAD COME A LONG WAY

FROM THIS FIRST
SIMPLE FARM HOUSE IN THE 1850s.

SO MANY FAMILIES IN DANBURY

HAVE MADE THE TRIP
TO BUY THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE

RIGHT HERE.

AND, UH,
THAT'S OUR PRESENTATION.

I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL

FOR TAKING THE TIME
TO COME DOWN AND, UH...

VERY IMPRESSIVE, RYAN.

THE COUNCIL APPRECIATES
ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.

UM...

[CLEARS THROAT]
MY, UH, SISTER, MOLLY,

WANTED TO FINISH UP...

[CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY]

SHE SEEMS TO, UM,
HAVE BEEN DELAYED.

GRANTING LANDMARK STATUS

ENSURES THAT WE CAN SAVE
THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE

NOT ONLY FOR OUR FAMILY,
BUT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

ALL HAIL
THE TROUBLEMAKER.

BE QUIET, DAD.

HI--

[FEEDBACK SQUEAKS]

I'M MOLLY LOGAN.

WHEN MY FAMILY FIRST CAME
TO DANBURY FALLS

NEARLY 200 YEARS AGO,

THERE WAS...
THERE WAS NO TOWN,

THERE WAS NO MAIN STREET,

THERE WAS
NO SERVICES WHATSOEVER.

ALL THEY HAD WAS...

WELL, A DREAM,

AND 50 ACRES

OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
FOREST IMAGINABLE.

THEY BUILT THEIR HOUSE

WITHOUT THE USE
OF POWER TOOLS.

THEY CUT DOWN TREES,

AND MILLED THEM TO MAKE SIDING.

AND THEN THEY WENT ON
TO BUILD THIS TOWN

WITH NOTHING BUT SWEAT EQUITY
AND A DREAM FOR THE FUTURE.

AND NOW
THAT DREAM IS IN DANGER.

SO IF YOU COULD BE SO KIND,

AND JUST STAND UP,

AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME OUTSIDE.

THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL,
MS. LOGAN.

NO, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED,
SIR, I PROMISE.

EVERYONE, COME ON. PLEASE?

IF YOU'LL JUST
FOLLOW ME OUTSIDE?

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME
IS SHE DOING?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

WELL,
COME ON, THEN.

COME ON, FOLKS.

COME ON.

LET'S GO.

THIS STREET USED TO BE
BUSTLING WITH SHOPPERS,

AND HOLIDAY LIGHTS,

AND VISITORS WHO CAME
FROM ALL OVER

TO BUY THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE
IN DANBURY.

IT'S NOT JUST OUR HOUSE
THAT'S IN JEOPARDY,

IT'S OUR ENTIRE TOWN.

IT'S OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE
OF THE HOLIDAYS,

IT'S OUR SENSE OF HOPE.

SO, PLEASE,

HELP KEEP CHRISTMAS ALIVE
IN DANBURY.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS]

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

AW, THANKS, DAD.

YOU DID THIS
ALL ON YOUR OWN?

SOME OF THE MERCHANTS
HELPED.

EVERYONE WANTED
TO DO SOMETHING

TO GET INTO
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

"THE HOOK."
I GET IT.

THANK YOU, MOLLY,

FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL
PRESENTATION.

THIS MEETING IS
HEREBY ADJOURNED.

WE'LL ISSUE A RULING
WITHIN THE WEEK.

ONE HOT CHOCOLATE
TO GO, PLEASE.

COMING RIGHT UP.

NEVER LIKED
VEGETABLES, HUH?

NOTHING GREEN,
YOU KNOW MY RULES.

RULES ARE NEVER
A GOOD THING.

STILL HAVE
AUTHORITY ISSUES, HUH?

YOU KNOW,
THAT WAS INCREDIBLE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

I MEAN IT.

DID YOU SEE THE WAY PEOPLE
WERE TAKING PICTURES?

EVERYONE'S SO HAPPY.

I WASN'T EXPECTING
A COMPLIMENT.

THERE'S THE SMILE I REMEMBER.

DON'T BE CHARMING, LUCAS.

THIS IS ALREADY HARD ENOUGH.

[CHUCKLES]

THAT'S OUR SONG.

OUR SENIOR YEAR,
DO YOU REMEMBER?

REALLY?

I...
NO, I DON'T THINK I....

THIS SONG?

YOU WERE ALWAYS
SUCH A BAD LIAR.

OH, COME ON.

* A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW *

* YOU WILL STILL BE ON MY... *

* MIND
[CHUCKLING]

[LAUGHS]

I WAS NEVER THE SINGER.

SO, YOU'RE EATING DINNER ALONE.

I TAKE IT
YOU DON'T HAVE A FAMILY.

YOU ARE CORRECT.

I HAVE TWO DOGS

AND A GOLDFISH, THOUGH.

I EAT HERE
ABOUT FOUR TIMES A WEEK.

DO YOU WANT A...

A GLASS OF WINE
OR SOMETHING?

OH, NO, I'M JUST WAITING
ON MY HOT CHOCOLATE

TO BE FINISHED.

ONE GLASS?

CONSIDER IT A PEACE OFFERING.

NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED
AROUND HERE, HUH?

INCLUDING THE MUSIC.

THAT JUKE BOX
IS FROZEN IN TIME.

YEAH, IT'S
THE ORIGINAL JUKEBOX.

[CHUCKLES]

ACTUALLY, A FEW THINGS
HAVE CHANGED.

UM, MY MOM
DIVORCED MY DAD.

SHE MOVED BACK
TO BOSTON

AND TOOK WHATEVER HEART
HE HAD LEFT WITH HER.

I'M SO SORRY.

THAT MUST HAVE BEEN
REALLY HARD ON YOU.

HARDER ON MY DAD.

HE NEVER REALLY
RECOVERED.

BUT MY BROTHER, JOE,
HAS GOT FOUR KIDS NOW.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

-REALLY?
-YEAH.

UM, I GOT MY MBA.

AND UM...

TIME HAS KIND OF STOOD STILL
SINCE YOU LEFT.

LUCAS, WE REALLY SCREWED UP.

AGAIN,

I APOLOGIZE
FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING,

BUT I REALLY THINK
THAT THIS RESORT

IS GONNA BE GOOD FOR THIS TOWN.

NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT NEW YORK.

I'M STILL
FURIOUS WITH YOU

THAT YOU DIDN'T COME WITH ME.

YOU GOT A SCHOLARSHIP TO PRATT.

I MEAN, YOU BLEW AWAY
THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS.

IT WASN'T AN EASY DECISION.

WAS IT EVEN YOURS?

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

YOU BROKE UP WITH ME.

NO, AS I REMEMBER,
YOU BROKE UP WITH ME.

AND SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
LIES THE TRUTH.

I WAS MOVING TO NEW YORK
TO WRITE NOVELS,

YOU WERE COMING THERE
TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.

WE WERE GONNA HAVE
THIS GREAT LIFE TOGETHER.

YOU GAVE ME AN ULTIMATUM.

WHO DOES THAT

TO SOMEONE THEY LOVE?

WHAT WAS I
SUPPOSED TO DO?

YES, I LOVE IT HERE.

I MEAN, THIS IS HOME,

BUT IF I WOULD HAVE STAYED HERE,
I WOULD HAVE SUFFOCATED.

WELL, AT THE END OF THE DAY,

DID YOU GET THE LIFE YOU WANTED?

I WORK CRAZY HOURS

FOR SOMEONE WHO
DOESN'T APPRECIATE ME.

I... I'M DROWNING
IN STUDENT LOANS,

I NEVER HAVE TIME
TO WRITE,

AND IN MAY,
I'M GOING TO BE 30.

BUT, YES, IT'S MY LIFE, AND...

I OWN IT, FOR BETTER OR WORSE.

I HATE THE WAY WE ENDED THINGS.

THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN THE SAME
HERE WITHOUT YOU HERE.

TIME TO GO HOME, FOLKS.

IT'S PUMPKIN TIME.

WE CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT.

THIS... THIS WAS A MISTAKE.

WE CAN'T RELIVE
THE OLD TIMES.

I MEAN...

THIS JUKE BOX MAY
STILL HAVE OUR RECORDS,

BUT THEY'RE WORN
AND SCRATCHED.

IT'S...

IT'S JUST GONE.

I HAVE TO GO.

[MURMUR AND BUSTLE OF CROWD]

THE PROPOSAL HAS IGNITED
A FIRESTORM OF DEBATE

OVER THE FATE OF
THE LOGAN CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

THE LOGAN FAMILY HAS BEEN
PROVIDING CHRISTMAS CHEER

FOR ALMOST 200 YEARS...

DAD, WHAT'S GOING ON?

IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS
SINCE WE OPENED.

COULD YOU HELP
YOUR MOM ON THE CASH?

[MAN CHUCKLING]

WHEN I READ
THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

ABOUT THE COUNCIL MEETING,

I JUST HAD TO BRING MY KIDS
DOWN HERE ONE LAST TIME.

THANK YOU.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW

THAT CHRISTMAS TREES DON'T GROW
IN THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT.

[CHUCKLING]

HERE WE GO.
THAT'S WHAT WE CAME FOR.

THANKS, HONEY.

[CHUCKLING FONDLY]

WHY DON'T YOU
RING THAT?

COME HERE...

HERE WE GO. YEAH...

[RINGS BELL]

[LAUGHING]

YEAH...

YOU KEEP FIGHTING
THE GOOD FIGHT, YOU HEAR.

THANK YOU.

COME ON, KIDS.

I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE
REPORTERS THERE LAST NIGHT.

THIS IS A SMALL TOWN,
YOU MADE BIG NEWS.

YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN
YOUR FATHER'S FACE

WHEN HE CAME OUT
AND SAW ALL THIS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM SMILE
LIKE THAT IN AGES.

HEY, HOW ABOUT YOU COME IN HERE
AND DO THE CREDIT CARD SALES,

AND I'LL DO THE CASH?

SOUNDS GOOD.

OKAY.

MOLLY!

GIRLS?

OH, MY GOSH, HI!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

HI!

WE HATED THE AZORES.

IT WAS HORRIBLE!

I GOT SAND IN MY BATHING SUIT.

ALL DADDY DID WAS
TALK ON HIS PHONE.

OH, MR. DUNLAP, HI.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I-I DON'T UNDERSTAND--

I WANTED TO CALL AHEAD,

BUT THE GIRLS INSISTED
IT BE A SURPRISE.

IT'S SIMPLE,

THEY WANTED SNOW.

THEY WANTED A REAL CHRISTMAS.

OH, WELL, YOU'VE COME
TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

WE BOOKED A SUITE

AT THE SKY SUMMIT LODGE
IN INVERNESS,

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED
TO STAY THERE.

OH, I WORKED THERE ONE SUMMER AS
A SHORT ORDER COOK.

IT'S A MIRACLE
NO ONE GOT FOOD POISONING.

[GIGGLING]

SO, WHEN CAN WE GO
ON A TRACTOR RIDE?

MOLLY, CAN WE HAVE
A SLUMBER PARTY?

WE HAVEN'T DONE
ANYTHING FUN FOR DAYS.

AW...

GIRLS...
WE DON'T MEAN TO INTRUDE.

NO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM
OVER, SIR, REALLY.

YOU SHOULD COME INSIDE
AND MEET MY FOLKS.

IS THAT A HORSE?

YES, HE'S SUPER FRIENDLY.

COME ON,
LET'S GO!

[GIRLS GUSH IN DELIGHT]

I'M SORRY ABOUT
WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH.

HOW-HOW DID YOU KNOW?

WE CAUGHT THE LOCAL NEWS
AT THE AIRPORT

AND THEN SOMEONE UPLOADED
CELL PHONE VIDEO

OF YOUR PRESENTATION LAST NIGHT.

IT WENT VIRAL.

YOU CAPTURED LIGHTNING
IN A BOTTLE, MOLLY.

IT'S KIND OF DIFFERENT

THAN HOW YOU GUYS GREW UP
IN THE BIG CITY, ISN'T IT?

[GIRLS, AMAZED]: YEAH.

OH, YOU HAVE TO LOOK
AT THE FIREPLACE.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
IN THE OLDEN DAYS,

THEY WOULD ACTUALLY
COOK IN HERE.

IN THE FIREPLACE?

YEAH, ISN'T THAT CRAZY?

SEE THAT HOOK?

THAT'S WHERE THEY WOULD
HANG THE SOUP FROM.

WHOA, COOL.

HOW COME IT DOESN'T
HAVE ANY ORNAMENTS?

IT LOOKS NAKED.

WELL, MY MOM ACTUALLY PACKED
ALL OF THE DECORATIONS AWAY

BECAUSE THEY'RE-
THEY'RE MOVING.

IT'S A LONG STORY.

THAT TREE
NEEDS ORNAMENTS, MOLLY.

IT'S CHRISTMAS
NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO
ALL THAT TROUBLE, MRS. LOGAN.

IT'S BETTY,
AND I INSIST.

YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY.

I CAN'T IMAGINE
WHAT KIND OF GRUEL

THE AIRLINE FED YOU,

EVEN IN FIRST CLASS.

THE GIRLS MUST BE STARVING.

DAD, THEY HAVE
A BARN!

WITH REAL SHEEP!

REAL SHEEP?

MOLLY, CAN WE SEE
THE BABY LAMBS?

COME ON, I WANT
TO PET THE HORSE AGAIN!

YOUR DAUGHTER WAS
ALL THEY TALKED ABOUT

THE WHOLE TIME
WE WERE AWAY.

WE WERE AT
A FIVE-STAR RESORT

WITH A SUITE
OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN,

OUR OWN PERSONAL CHEF.

THE GIRLS COULD HAVE
ANYTHING THEY WANTED,

BUT ALL THEY WANTED
WAS MOLLY.

AW.

THE FIRST NIGHT,

THE CHEF OFFERED
TO PREPARE OUR DINNER,

BUT I REALIZED

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
THEIR FAVORITE FOODS.

I DIDN'T KNOW
THEIR BEDTIMES.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT
STORIES TO READ TO THEM.

IT'S NOT EASY
BEING A PARENT.

YOU'VE RAISED
A VERY SPECIAL DAUGHTER, BETTY.

THANKS.

I WISH I COULD TAKE CREDIT
FOR HOW SHE TURNED OUT.

EVER SINCE MOLLY
WAS A LITTLE GIRL,

SHE'S BEEN
A FORCE OF NATURE.

IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN,

YOU NEED THAT FORCE
TO MOVE MOUNTAINS,

BECAUSE YOU'RE
CLIMBING THEM EVERY DAY.

[CLEARS THROAT
AWKWARDLY]

MOLLY TOLD ME

THAT YOU LOST YOUR WIFE
A FEW YEARS AGO.

I'M SORRY.

THAT MUST BE
VERY HARD FOR YOU.

IT'S EVEN HARDER
FOR THE GIRLS.

BUT I TRY TO PLAN
FOR EVERYTHING.

BUT I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO
GET ANY OF IT RIGHT.

LISTEN TO ME,
I'M SORRY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY
I'M GOING ON LIKE THIS.

IT MUST BE JET LAG
OR SOMETHING.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST SIT
OVER HERE A SPELL

AND RELAX?

DO YOU MIND
IF I CALL YOU WALTER?

BYE, MOLLY!

BYE, MOLLY!

BYE, GIRLS!

BYE HONEY.

BYE, SWEETHEART.

[LAUGHING]

AREN'T THEY CUTE?

OH, MY GOODNESS.

SWEET GIRLS.

INTERESTING MAN.

COMPLICATED,

BUT HIS HEART'S
IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

YEAH, IT WAS WEIRD
HAVING MY BOSS HERE.

HE ACTUALLY ASKED ME
ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON,

LIKE... HE CARED.

[SCOFFS] OF COURSE,
HE CARED, HONEY.

I THINK HIS VISIT
IS KISMET.

"KISMET?"

MOM, NO ONE
SAYS THAT ANYMORE.

WELL, I DO.

KISMET, I TELL YOU.

IT'S A MOTHER'S INTUITION.

OKAY, WELL, WHAT ELSE
DO YOU KNOW?

ARE WE GOING TO
SURVIVE THIS MESS?

AW...

LISTEN, THEY CAN THREATEN
TO TAKE AWAY THE HOUSE,

THEY CAN
TAKE AWAY THE FARM,

BUT WE'LL STILL HAVE EACH OTHER.

DON'T YOU WORRY.

IT'S OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE
OF THE HOLIDAYS...

IT'S OUR SENSE OF HOPE.

FOR GOD SAKES, LUCAS,

TURN THAT WOMAN OFF!

IT'S BAD ENOUGH
I HEAR IT IN MY SLEEP.

SORRY, DAD, I...

I DON'T KNOW REALLY KNOW
THAT GOT ON THERE.

YOU ADMIRE HER, I SUPPOSE.

MOLLY'S FEARLESS,

SHE ALWAYS WAS.

FEARLESS?
I CALL IT RECKLESS.

DON'T GO PINING
FOR HER, SON.

SHE MAY CLAIM TO BE
A CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE,

BUT SHE'S ACTUALLY
JUST JEOPARDIZING

THE FUTURE OF THIS WHOLE TOWN.

DAD, GIVE HER A BREAK,
IT'S CHRISTMAS.

YEAH, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,

YOUR MOTHER TOOK CHRISTMAS
AND HALF OUR STOCK PORTFOLIO

WITH HER
BACK TO BOSTON.

YEAH, WELL,

JUST BECAUSE
YOU'RE FEELING BAD

DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE ELSE
HAS TO BE.

YOU'VE BEEN DOWN
THAT ROAD BEFORE, LUCAS.

YOU'RE CHASING A WOMAN

WHO IS ALWAYS
GOING TO LEAVE YOU.

WHY SHOULD THIS TIME
BE ANY DIFFERENT?

I WANT THESE PUBLICITY STILLS
FOR THE PARADISE BROCHURE.

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO
GET THAT DONE?

I'VE JUST BEEN BUSY
WORKING ON THE SALES PROPOSALS.

WELL, EITHER YOU GO
BACK TO THE FARM TODAY,

OR I'M HIRING A PROFESSIONAL.

DAD, I TAKE AMAZING PICTURES.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

JUST TAKE CARE OF IT, OKAY?

[CHRISTMAS CAROLS PLAY
ON RADIO]

THANK YOU.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HEY, LUCAS.

GOOD MORNING, MOLLY.

HONEY, I WANT YOU TO TAKE LUCAS
UP TO LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

HE NEEDS TO SHOOT

SOME PUBLICITY SHOTS,
OR SOMETHING.

SO, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE,

TAKE MY PICK-UP, OKAY?

[MUMBLING IN PROTEST]

I-I'M SUPPOSED TO BE
RELIEVING MOM

AT THE HOT CHOCOLATE
STAND, DAD.

IF IT'S A BAD TIME,
I CAN COME BACK.

[BOTH MURMURING AWKWARDLY]

BOTH OF YOU,

IT'LL BE FINE.

JUST GO.

BUT...

IS THAT THE SAME CAMERA
YOU HAD WHEN WE WERE KIDS?

IT'S MY OLD CASE,

I COULDN'T BEAR
TO PART WITH IT.

NEW CAMERA.

YOU WERE ALWAYS SUCH
A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER.

I MISS IT.

BUT THAT'S LIFE, RIGHT?

YOU GROW UP,

AND YOU'VE GOT TO
LEAVE THINGS BEHIND.

WHY DID YOU GUYS DECIDE
TO CALL IT PARADISE RESORT?

WHEN I WAS LITTLE,

I USED TO TELL MY FOLKS

THAT THIS WAS
MY IDEA OF PARADISE,

THIS PLACE.

YOU KNOW,
YOU GREW UP HERE,

WITH THE BEAUTIFUL STARS
AND THE MOUNTAIN.

I WAS IN THE CITY

WITH THE STREET LIGHTS
AND SIDEWALKS.

I CANNOT BELIEVE
IT IS STILL HERE.

THANKFULLY,
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A KID,

I THOUGHT "FORK-IN-THE-ROAD"

ACTUALLY MEANT
A FORK IN THE ROAD?

[CHUCKLES]

WELL, I MEAN, YOU ALWAYS
WERE A CONCRETE THINKER.

DO YOU EVER WONDER
WHERE WE'D BE

IF WE'D TAKEN
A DIFFERENT PATH?

ALL THE TIME.

LET'S GO.

THERE, NOW WE'LL
ALWAYS KNOW THE WAY.

IF WE STICK
TOGETHER, LUCAS,

WE'LL NEVER GET LOST.

HERE, GRAB MY HAND.

DON'T LET GO.

THE STEEL AND GLASS
CANYONS OF MANHATTAN

DON'T COMPARE?

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

JUST THE MOUNTAIN AIR,

THERE'S JUST
NOTHING LIKE IT.

I KNOW.

[SHUTTER CLICKING]

WHY DID YOU GIVE IT UP?

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

GIVE WHAT UP?

PHOTOGRAPHY.

I MEAN, IT WAS YOUR DREAM.

YOU DIDN'T JUST
TAKE PICTURES,

YOU CAPTURED PEOPLE'S SOULS.

SOMETIMES,
DREAMS AREN'T PRACTICAL.

THEY CAN CAUSE MORE HEARTACHE
THAN THEY'RE WORTH.

[SHUTTER CLICKING]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[LAUGHS]

THE LIGHT IS SO NICE,
I COULDN'T RESIST.

[CHUCKLING]

-[SHUTTER CLICKING]
-PLEASE DON'T.

WATCH YOUR STEP.

[***]

[FIRE CRACKLING]

[GROGGY SIGH]

HONEY...

HAVE YOU BEEN UP ALL NIGHT?

YEAH, I CAN'T
REALLY SLEEP.

WHAT'S WRONG?

NOTHING.

I WAS UP ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
YESTERDAY WITH LUCAS.

YOU STILL HAVE
FEELINGS FOR HIM.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME, MOM?

WHY CAN'T I LET GO?

YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE HIM,
FORGIVE YOURSELF.

THE ONLY ONE
YOU'RE HURTING IS YOU.

WE MADE SO MANY MISTAKES.

WE WERE JUST KIDS.

YOU KNOW,

I WAS THE ONE
WHO TALKED YOUR FATHER

INTO TAKING THE LOAN.

HE WAS AFRAID
TO EXPAND THE FARM.

YOU AND RYAN WERE YOUNG,

AND WE WERE ALREADY UNDER
A LOT OF FINANCIAL STRAIN.

[TSKS]

IT'S TAKEN ME A LONG TIME
TO FORGIVE MYSELF.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING,

I WOULDN'T TRADE WHAT WE DID
FOR THE WORLD.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

YOU CAN'T GO BACK
AND REWRITE THE PAST,

BUT IF YOU FOLLOW YOUR HEART,

THE BEST YEARS ARE AHEAD OF YOU.

[***]

HEY, GIRLS,

LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY'S
READY FOR A SLEEPOVER.

THIS IS AMAZING.

LOOK AT THE CROWDS.

MOLLY, WHERE'S RYAN?

WE'VE GOT SEVEN PEOPLE
WAITING FOR TREES HERE.

[MOLLY]: OKAY, DAD,
I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

KNOW WHAT, MR. DUNLAP, WHY DON'T
YOU BRING THE GIRLS INSIDE?

I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

DADDY CAN
HELP YOU.

OH, NO, NO, WE'LL BE FINE.

WHY NOT?

I CAN TIE A KNOT
WITH THE BEST OF THEM.

I WAS IN BOY SCOUTS.

[SHOCKED] YOU USED
TO BE A BOY SCOUT?

EAGLE SCOUT.

I WON AWARDS FOR COOKING,

FOR CAMPING.

DAD, YOU ONLY KNOW HOW TO DO
IS ORDER ROOM SERVICE.

[LAUGHS]

YOU JUST HAVEN'T SEEN ME
IN MY ELEMENT, GIRLS.

WATCH--

MR. LOGAN, TREE ME.

HERE.

GO BACK
THE OTHER WAY.

THERE WE ARE. NO, LOOK....

[LAUGHING]

JUST HOLD
THAT ONE, OKAY?

OW!

[LAUGHING]

RYAN...

THIS IS THE BEST
TV SHOW EVER!

DAD, THERE'S SOMETHING
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU--

[LAUGHING TOGETHER]

--ABOUT.

MR. MAYOR.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

LUCAS.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD
A MEETING THIS MORNING.

I CAN GO GET MY NOTEBOOK--

NO, NO, NO,
THAT'S NOT NECESSARY.

UH, WE'RE JUST
FINISHING UP HERE.

OKAY?

JUST GIVE US
A MINUTE, WILL YOU?

[LAUGHING TOGETHER]

[GIGGLING AND LAUGHING]

OH, MY GOODNESS.

SHINGLES...

[LAUGHING AND CHATTING]

THAT'S THE
GOOPIEST ROOF EVER.

CAN A GINGERBREAD HOUSE
HAVE THREE CHIMNEYS?

OF COURSE, IT CAN HAVE
AS MANY AS YOU WANT.

THERE'S NO RULES.

[GIGGLING] YES!

[LAUGHING AND CHATTING]

GOOD JOB.

HEY, THAT'S
PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

GOOD JOB, YOU GUYS.

OH, NO!

[SQUEALING IN ALARM]

[STRUMMING GUITAR]

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU KNOW
HOW TO MAKE POPCORN

WITHOUT A MICROWAVE.

IT TASTES
SO GOOD THIS WAY.

[LAUGHS]

WHO TAUGHT YOU
TO PLAY?

MY GRANDFATHER.

HE USED TO SAY

THAT IT WOULD
HELP THE TREES GROW.

YOU KNOW HOW TO
DO EVERYTHING.

NAH.

SO, WHAT ARE
ALL THOSE BOOKS?

OH. WELL...

YOU GUYS ASK
A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

MY DAD SAYS

NEVER BE AFRAID
TO ASK QUESTIONS.

YOU KNOW WHAT,
YOUR DAD'S RIGHT.

THOSE ARE JUST
MY JOURNALS.

I'VE BEEN WRITING STORIES
SINCE I WAS A KID.

READ US ONE. PLEASE?

NO. MAYBE
SOME OTHER TIME.

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

IS THAT FROM YOUR BOYFRIEND?

I DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND.

I DON'T
BELIEVE YOU.

YOU HAVE THE BOYFRIEND LOOK
IN YOUR EYES.

WELL, AREN'T YOU GOING
TO WRITE HIM BACK?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

[TOGETHER]: WRITE HIM BACK!

"MY FATHER TOLD ME

"THAT THE TREE
I HAD PICKED OUT

"WAS VERY, VERY SICK.

"HE SAID THAT
IT WAS TERMINAL,

BUT I REFUSED
TO BELIEVE HIM."

WHAT'S "TERMINAL?"

WHEN SOMEONE'S
GOING TO DIE.

LIKE MOM?

YEAH.

"I WENT TO BED THAT NIGHT
PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE..."

[SNIFFLING]

COME HERE.

[CRYING SOFTLY]

HE'S GOING TO THINK
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

[ALL CHUCKLING HAPPILY]

IT'S PERFECT.

THERE HE IS.

HEY, GIRLS.

DADDY,
WE MADE A HOUSE!

WOW!

THAT LOOKS FANTASTIC.

THEY WERE EXCELLENT
GUESTS, SIR.

THAT SAYS IT ALL, DOESN'T IT?

THEY'RE GREAT KIDS.

THERE YOU GO.
OH, I'M GOING TO MISS YOU GUYS.

MOLLY GIVES THEM
PERMISSION TO FLY.

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT,

AND THEY ARE FEARLESS.

A PARENT'S LAMENT.

YOU WANT THEM TO FLY,

BUT YOU WANT TO BE SURE
THEY HAVE A PARACHUTE.

I CAN'T THANK YOU
ENOUGH, BETTY.

THIS IS WHAT MY KIDS NEED.

A REAL FAMILY.

YOU ALREADY HAVE THAT.

FAMILY IS A STATE OF MIND.

I HOPE MY GIRLS GROW UP TO BE
AS AMAZING AS YOUR DAUGHTER.

TELL HER THAT SOMETIME.

I THINK SHE'D APPRECIATE
HEARING IT.

ALL RIGHT,
WHY THE SAD FACES?

WE MISS MOLLY.

SHE'S SO FUN, DAD.

WE HAVE A GREAT DAY AHEAD.

SKI LESSONS

AND THEN
A SLEIGH RIDE.

WHY DIDN'T MOMMY GET BETTER?

EXCUSE ME?

DID THE DOCTORS DO EVERYTHING
THEY COULD TO HELP HER?

OF COURSE THEY DID, HONEY.

YOUR MOM NEVER GAVE UP,

SHE ALWAYS KEPT FIGHTING.

WHO LOOKS MORE LIKE HER,
ME OR SOFIA?

WELL, SOFIA,

YOU HAVE HER SMILE...

AND VICTORIA,

YOU HAVE HER EYES.

SHE NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE US,

BUT HER TIME WAS UP.

SHE LOVED YOU BOTH
VERY, VERY MUCH.

WHAT BROUGHT THIS UP?

ONE OF MOLLY'S
STORIES,

ABOUT A TREE.

MOLLY'S STORY?

SHE'S ALWAYS
WRITING A STORY.

DON'T YOU KNOW
ANYTHING?

[CHUCKLES]

WHAT HAPPENED
TO THE TREE?

IT WAS VERY SICK,
BUT IT GOT BETTER.

IT WAS
A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

IT GREW UP TO BE

THE TALLEST TREE
IN THE FOREST.

MAYBE YOU COULD

READ US ONE
FOR BEDTIME.

MOLLY'S ALWAYS
READING US A STORY.

MOLLY WROTE THESE?

OUR MOLLY?

YEAH.

SHE'S A WRITER.

ISN'T THAT WHY
SHE WORKS FOR YOU?

ISN'T THAT WHY
SHE WORKS FOR YOU?

MOLLY, HEY.

MR. DUNLAP, GIRLS,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

YOUR MOM
CALLED US.

WE'RE HERE
TO SUPPORT YOU

AND YOUR FAMILY,

RIGHT, GIRLS?

YEAH.

[MAYOR]: HI, FOLKS!

IF EVERYONE CAN JUST
TAKE THEIR SEAT,

WE'LL GET STARTED.

[FEEDBACK WHINING]
IS THIS THING ON?

CAN EVERYBODY
HEAR ME OKAY?

I WANT TO WELCOME
EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT.

I'VE GOT SOME EXCITING NEWS,

AND, WELL, WE JUST COULDN'T WAIT

UNTIL FRIDAY'S
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.

THE COUNCIL
HAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY

TO DECLARE THE LOGAN HOUSE
A CITY LANDMARK,

THUS PROTECTING IT
FROM DEMOLITION.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.

WE HAVE YOU KIDS
TO THANK.

NO, NO, THIS WAS
RYAN'S IDEA.

HE'S RESPONSIBLE
FOR THIS.

RYAN, YOU'RE GREAT

AT THIS
PRESERVATION STUFF.

I THINK YOU'VE FOUND
YOUR TRUE CALLING.

SETTLE DOWN, EVERYBODY,
SETTLE DOWN.

THERE'S EVEN MORE
GOOD NEWS, FOLKS.

ELLIOT BISHOP
AND THE DANBURY FALLS BANK

HAVE PROPOSED
PRESERVING THE HOUSE

FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

BY RELOCATING IT
HERE TO MAIN STREET

WHERE IT WILL BECOME
THE FUTURE HOME

OF THE DANBURY FALLS
HISTORIC MUSEUM.

[CROWD MURMURING HESITANTLY]

HANG ON
A MINUTE,

YOU WANT
TO MOVE OUR HOUSE

SO THAT HE CAN PROCEED
WITH HIS RESORT?

IT'S A WIN/WIN
SITUATION, GORDON.

IT'S A MAGNANIMOUS OFFER

FROM THE BANK.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

WORK WITH ME HALFWAY
HERE, GORDON--

YOU SNAKE!

YOU THINK YOU CAN BUY AND SELL
EVERYTHING IN THIS TOWN!

WELL, YOU CAN'T!

DAD, DON'T!

IS THIS THE DEATH
OF CHRISTMAS

IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA?

MR. LOGAN HAS NO COMMENT.

DO YOU PLAN ON MOUNTING
A LEGAL DEFENSE?

GORDON!

MOLLY, I DIDN'T KNOW.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED
TO TALK TO ME ABOUT?

I KNEW MY DAD
WAS UP TO SOMETHING,

BUT I HAD NO IDEA.

I'M GOING TO
MAKE THIS RIGHT,

I PROMISE.

YOU PROMISE ME?

LUCAS, YOU CAN'T EVEN
KEEP A PROMISE TO YOURSELF.

MOLLY?

MOLLY!

WELL, WHAT DID THAT
COST YOU, DAD?

IT'S THE PRICE OF
DOING BUSINESS, SON.

YOU THINK I'M GOING TO
LET THAT GIRL JEOPARDIZE

ME DOING WHAT'S RIGHT
FOR THIS TOWN!

DAD. DAD!

[CROWD MURMURING IN CONCERN]

[RINGS BELL]

I GAVE EVERYBODY FALSE HOPE.

IT WAS THE WORST THING
I COULD HAVE DONE.

HOPE IS THE AIR WE BREATHE.

THERE'S NOTHING
TO APOLOGIZE FOR.

I DISAPPOINTED YOU, DAD.

WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT, RYAN?

FOR GENERATIONS,

THE OLDEST SON
WOULD STAY BEHIND

AND HELP WITH
THE FAMILY BUSINESS,

UNTIL ME.

I SCREWED IT UP.

RYAN, DON'T--

I ABANDONED
YOU AND MOM.

EVERYBODY KNEW MOLLY
WAS GOING TO GO TO NEW YORK

AND BECOME A WRITER,

BUT I SHOULD HAVE STAYED.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WHEN YOU GOT ACCEPTED AT MIT,
YOUR MOTHER AND I WERE ECSTATIC.

MIT? ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

COME ON, RYAN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY THAT
TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

IF I'D STAYED,
WORKED HARDER,

MAYBE NONE OF THIS
WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

I'M GONNA TELL YOU
SOMETHING, RYAN.

I'M GONNA TELL YOU
SOMETHING, RYAN.

YEAH, I TOOK OVER THIS PLACE
FOR MY FATHER,

HE DID FOR HIS FATHER,

BUT TRUTH BE TOLD,

I WISH I'D HAD A CHOICE.

I DIDN'T GET TO GO TO COLLEGE.

IT WASN'T
AN OPTION FOR ME.

OF COURSE, I WOULD HAVE LOVED IT
IF YOU'D STAYED HERE

BY MY SIDE,

BUT I SAW WHAT YOU COULD DO
AS A BOY.

YOU HAD TALENTS

THAT WERE BEYOND
A LIFE ON THE FARM.

DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT?

I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD
OF YOU, SON.

GIRLS...

I'M GOING TO TELL BETTY
WE'RE LEAVING.

THE FAMILY
NEEDS TO BE ALONE NOW.

DAD...

EVERYBODY'S SO SAD.

CAN'T YOU
DO SOMETHING?

I WISH I COULD, SWEETHEART.

YOU TAUGHT US

WE HAVE TO HELP
OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

WHEN THEY'RE IN TROUBLE.

WE DON'T WANT TO INTERFERE--

MOLLY'S
PRACTICALLY FAMILY.

YOU KNOW,

I THINK YOU TWO ARE RIGHT.

I HAVE A COUPLE IDEAS,

BUT I'M GOING TO NEED
SOME HELP HERE.

"GIRL POWER" HELP.

ANYTHING, DAD.

WE'LL DO ANYTHING FOR MOLLY.

YOU PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT.

AH...

I'M AFRAID RYAN AND I
HAVE JUST MADE IT WORSE.

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT MY PARENTS
WARNED US ABOUT.

I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU
THE PAST FEW DAYS, MOLLY,

AND WHAT YOU'VE DID FOR THEM,
THAT WAS EXTRAORDINARY.

I'D BE PROUD TO
CALL YOU MY DAUGHTER.

TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE

WHO'S HAD HIS SHARE
OF STREET FIGHTS

IN THE BUSINESS WORLD,

IT'S NOT OVER,

NOT BY A LONG SHOT.

YOU THINK?

I KNOW.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING
VERY FEW PEOPLE POSSESS.

FAITH.

DON'T DOUBT YOURSELF.

THAT TREE DIDN'T BRING YOU
HOME FOR NOTHING.

YOU DON'T
GET IT, DAD!

NOT NOW.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO BUY
MORE THAN A TREE

FROM THE LOGANS,

THEY WANT TO CONNECT
WITH THE CHRISTMAS THEY LOST,

OR FORGOT,
OR NEVER REALLY HAD--

MOLLY IS JUST USING YOU
TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS.

SHE'S ALREADY
WALKED OUT ON YOU ONCE.

I'M THE ONE WHO
WALKED OUT ON HER.

I MADE MY CHOICES,

AND I WAS WRONG.

YOU CUT A DEAL WITH THE MAYOR.

THE MAYOR IS DOING
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THIS TOWN.

THE FINANCES ARE SHAKY.

THE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP.

WE'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG.

THAT'S HOW
THE BUSINESS WORLD WORKS.

WELL, I DON'T WANT
ANY PART OF IT.

10 YEARS AGO,

YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE PULLED
A STUNT LIKE THIS.

MOM WOULDN'T HAVE STOOD FOR IT.

DON'T YOU TALK TO ME
ABOUT YOUR MOTHER.

YOU'RE PUNISHING
EVERYONE AROUND YOU

BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL MAD AT HER.

THAT'S ENOUGH!

YOU THINK YOU'VE WON, DAD?

WELL, LET ME
TELL YOU SOMETHING,

YOU'VE ALREADY LOST
EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS.

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

DAD, YOU PROMISED,

NO PHONE CALLS.

JUST ONE SECOND.

HELLO.

YES. DONE.

GOOD NEWS!

WE'RE CLOSING THE BRADBURY DEAL.

THE OFFICE NEEDS ME BACK
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT, DAD, WHAT ABOUT
OUR SECRET PROJECT?

WHAT ABOUT
GIRL POWER?

I KNOW, I SAID THAT.

MOLLY NEEDS US.

SOMETIMES,
WHEN YOU'RE THE BOSS,

YOU HAVE TO MAKE
TOUGH DECISIONS.

WELL, I'M THE BOSS OF YOU
AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

ALL RIGHT, GIRLS.

WHAT'S NEXT ON THE LIST?

[GIGGLING]

[CHRISTMAS CAROLS PLAYING]

YOU TAKING THE DAY OFF?

YOU'RE NOT AT THE BANK.

I'M GOING TO BE HAVING
A LOT OF DAYS OFF.

I QUIT.

WHAT?

I'VE BEEN DOING
A LOT OF THINKING

SINCE YOU CAME BACK,

AND I'VE REALIZED

I GAVE UP ON TWO OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT THINGS IN MY LIFE,

AND I'VE BEEN MISERABLE
EVER SINCE.

LUCAS...

I SHOULD HAVE STOOD MY GROUND
FOR WHAT I WANTED

A LONG TIME AGO.

AND WHAT I WANT IS YOU.

DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT?

WITH ALL MY HEART.

PLEASE TELL ME
THERE'S STILL A CHANCE FOR US.

I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU
SO, SO MUCH.

THE LAST TIME
I MADE YOU A PROMISE,

I BROKE IT.

I DIDN'T COME TO NEW YORK.

BUT THIS TIME, I PROMISE

I WON'T LET YOU DOWN.

I'VE MISSED YOU...

SO MUCH.

[RINGS BELL]

IT'S STRANGE TO THINK
WE'LL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.

[LIMO HONKS]

HEY...

I THOUGHT THEY WENT
BACK TO NEW YORK.

NO, MOM INVITED THEM
FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.

I'LL BRING THE REST LATER.

[CHUCKLING]

HI, GIRLS.

WOW, ARE YOU
MOVING IN?

EVEN BETTER.

SHH! REMEMBER,

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE
A SURPRISE.

I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE
SPENDING CHRISTMAS EVE WITH US.

YOU KNOW THIS IS
A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT.

IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE

TO ASK SANTA
FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT

AND HOPE THAT IT COMES TRUE.

IS THAT FOR REAL, DAD?

WHATEVER MOLLY SAYS.

SHE'S THE EXPERT
WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS.

IT'S TRUE.

NOW, I'VE BEEN GIVEN
EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS

THAT NO ONE
IS TO GO IN THE HOUSE

UNTIL YOU CLOSE
FOR THE DAY.

ALL RIGHT, WELL,
THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.

[GIGGLING] COME ON.

[GIGGLING] COME ON.

[GRUNTING WITH EFFORT]

[BELL RINGS]

[PATS TAILGATE]

[VOICE BREAKING]
LAST TREE.

I HOPE IT HAS
A GOOD STORY TO TELL.

THE FAMILY LIVES
OVER IN RALSTON.

MOM'S A MUSIC TEACHER,

BUT SHE'S BEEN OUT OF WORK.

DAD'S IN THE RESERVES.

THEY REALLY WANTED
ONE OF OUR TREES FOR THEIR KIDS,

SO...

[CHUCKLES]

I JUST GAVE IT TO THEM.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL, DAD.

GOD HAS BLESSED OUR FAMILY
OVER THE YEARS

WITH SO MUCH GOOD FORTUNE

WHY NOT PASS A LITTLE BIT
OF IT ALONG, HUH?

OKAY, EVERYBODY,

LET'S GO INSIDE
AND LIGHT A FIRE.

NO SAD FACES.

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE.

[WHISPERS]
SEE YOU IN THERE.

[RINGS BELL GENTLY]

I'M SO SORRY, DAD.

I'M SO SORRY.

LIFE GOES ON,
SWEETHEART.

LIFE GOES ON.

CLOSE YOUR EYES.

CLOSE YOUR EYES?

NO, NOT YET.

THEY'RE ALL HERE, SOFIA.

IT'S FREEZING.

OKAY, OKAY,
LET THEM IN.

ARE YOUR EYES
CLOSED, MOLLY?

MM-HMM.

OKAY, OPEN THEM.

[GASPING IN DELIGHT]

[LAUGHING] OH, MY GOSH,

THIS TREE NEEDED DECORATIONS,

AND SINCE YOURS
WERE ALL PACKED UP,

WE WENT AND BOUGHT SOME.

WE WORKED
ALL AFTERNOON.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

I DON'T KNOW
HOW I'LL EVER THANK YOU.

THIS WAS ENTIRELY
THE GIRLS' IDEA.

THEY CLEARED OUT THE STORE.

[LAUGHING]

AND WE FOUND A SPECIAL
ANGEL FOR THE TOP.

HER NAME IS MOLLY,

AND SHE HAS
SOMETHING FOR YOU.

READ IT!

GO ON, READ IT.

REALLY?

[GASPING IN DISBELIEF]

WHAT IS IT, HONEY?

"IN HONOR OF YOUR SERVICE
TO THE COMMUNITY

"FOR ALMOST 200 YEARS,

"THE DUNLAP FAMILY AGREES

"TO BECOME THE GUARANTOR
OF YOUR MORTGAGE

"FOR THE PURPOSE

"OF SUSTAINING THE LOGAN
HERITAGE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

"SIGNED,

WALTER E. DUNLAP SR.."

IT'S JUST UNTIL
YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET,

AND THEN I'LL DROP AWAY.

THIS IS ALL STILL YOURS.

YOU MEAN...

THE CHRISTMAS FARM
STAYS OPEN?

FOR AS LONG AS YOU'D LIKE,

AND THE BANK CAN'T TOUCH YOU.

WALTER, WE CAN'T ASK YOU--

DON'T.

IT'S DONE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'LL
EVER BE ABLE TO REPAY YOU.

[LAUGHING HAPPILY]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[***]

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.

IT IS NOW.

CAN WE START
TO TALK ABOUT

HOW WE'RE GOING TO
HANDLE NEW YORK

WHEN WE GET BACK
NEXT WEEK?

YES, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND
IF YOU HAVE TO LET ME GO.

THERE IS THAT.

BUT WE HAVE
AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM.

I CAN'T HAVE YOU
ON PAYROLL TWICE.

WHAT?

AS A WRITER

AND AS AN ASSISTANT.

I'M AFRAID THAT
YOUR ASSISTANT DAYS ARE OVER.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

THE GIRLS MEANT NO HARM.

[CHUCKLES]

THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU
THEY BORROWED THEM.

SO THIS WHY THEY WERE
ASKING FOR A FLASHLIGHT?

THEY ASKED ME TO
READ THEM AT BEDTIME.

DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN

SINCE WE'VE DONE
BEDTIME STORIES TOGETHER?

THE WRITING'S QUITE GOOD.

YOU MAY NEED SOME EDITING,

A LITTLE POLISH,

BUT WHAT YOU HAVE
THERE IS SOLID.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY

ABOUT PUTTING THOSE STORIES
IN A CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY?

Y-YOU WANT TO PUBLISH THEM?

UNLESS YOU'RE PLANNING ON
GETTING IN A BIDDING WAR

WITH ONE OF
MY COMPETITORS.

YOU'VE HIT ON
SOMETHING UNIQUE,

THE IDEA OF EVERY TREE
HAVING A STORY.

WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

I GUESS I JUST ALWAYS
BELIEVED IT WAS TRUE.

YOU KNOW, LOOK AT MY TREE,

LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE
IT BROUGHT TOGETHER.

WELL, WE'LL HAMMER OUT
THE DETAILS

WHEN WE'RE BACK IN THE CITY.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU KNOW, I WENT
ALL THE WAY TO NEW YORK CITY

TO TRY AND FIND MY DREAM,

AND...

IT WAS RIGHT HERE
WHERE I STARTED.

[ALL CHATTING HAPPILY]

PRESENTS!

[***]

[LAUGHING IN DELIGHT]

[CHUCKLING]

[LAUGHING AND GUSHING]

YOU KNOW WHAT, GUYS,

LET'S GET A GROUP SHOT.

YEAH!

THAT'S GOOD.
READY? ONE, TWO, THREE.

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

NICE.

-MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PERFECT.

IT'S A PERFECT CHRISTMAS.

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[MOLLY READS]:
"IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE

"AND THE GIRLS HAD DECORATED
MOLLY'S TREE

"WITH HUNDREDS
OF TWINKLING LIGHTS

"AND HAND-PAINTED ORNAMENTS.

"THE TREE MY FATHER THOUGHT

"WOULD NEVER LIVE
TO SEE TOMORROW

"NOW GRACED OUR LIVING ROOM,

"STANDING PROUD AND TALL.

"IN THAT PERFECT MOMENT,

"MY MIND DRIFTED BACK

"TO MY DAYS ATOP
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN...

"AND I WAS FILLED
WITH A SENSE OF HOPE.

"MY MIRACLE
HAD FINALLY COME TRUE...

AND MY WORDS TOOK FLIGHT."

THE END.

[APPLAUSE]

THAT WAS AMAZING.

THANK YOU.

THANKS, DAD.

[***]