Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage (2008) - full transcript

I want that shoulder.

You want more?

All right.

Pat's waiting down there.

Your brother can wait.

He gets to see you

this entire holiday.

I told you, Hope.

I'll drive up

to Marin Christmas Night.

Okay? Promise.

Nothing will stop me.

Like every Christmas story...

this one's about new life

in the dead of winter...

but I didn't know that

at the time.

I was just a college kid...

coming home for vacation

with my brother Pat.

It was 1977.

My hometown of Placerville...

is up in the foothills

of the High Sierra.

It's not that far from Berkeley

as the crow flies.

It was just another world away

for me.

You see, Christmas

in Placerville never changed.

Every year, I painted the

scenery for the church pageant.

And every year,

Mom took the children's choir...

up to the mountains to listen

to the wind in the trees.

What are you doing here?

Oh, my beautiful boys.

Our neighbor, Mr. Rosa...

knew every shred of gossip

in town.

Jupiter!

He's German, you know!

Jupiter, stop kissing Tom.

Hi, Mr. Rosa. Thanks.

Tom. Here, Pat.

How are ya?

I'll get that thing

running yet, Maryanne.

I'll go look at it.

You should know,

that big Thanksgiving rain...

my house weathered fine.

I keep it in mint condition.

It's all in the upkeep.

But your mom, the roof

leaked something terrible.

Then the water pipe froze.

It burst and...

Water damage, huh?

She didn't tell us.

Maryanne wouldn't have told you.

You know how your mother is.

Yeah. You know what?

Thanks for sharing, Mr. Rosa.

You know,

with you boys off at school...

and then she's all alone...

but she still teaches

the kids how to sing...

and she sews all the Christmas

pageant costumes...

and, oh,

she's got pep, your mom.

Yeah, mucho pep.

You boys should get

on the stick for her.

She doesn't spill her own beans.

So you spill them for me.

Well, it needs oil

for one thing.

You know, Mr. Rosa...

if you ever did get

the truck fixed...

you wouldn't have anything

to gossip about, would you?

Come on, guys. I gotta

get supper over to Glen.

- Thanks, Mr. Rosa.

- See ya, Mr. Rosa.

Sometimes life

moves in mysterious ways...

and sometimes

there's no mystery at all...

like when Glen Wesman

built his studio...

across the field from us.

Having a famous artist

next door...

was like God's finger

pointing me toward painting.

All through high school...

Glen taught me what it means

to be an artist.

Glen?

Close the damn door.

Glen, it's Tom.

It's cold in here.

Why would you leave

the door open?

Where on earth are you?

In the corner...

like Little Jack Horner.

What?

Come in.

I'm learning Latin.

A dead language...

for the dead.

Maleficent crap, eh?

They're not done.

Some things are

better left undone.

I can't capture her.

Can't paint the loss.

My hands won't cooperate.

Don't get old.

That's the sum of my wisdom

at this advanced age.

Don't get old.

Don't...

get...

Oh, damned hand.

Nothing works

the way it used to.

Let me get that.

- Write.

- Yup.

"Don't get old."

Pin it up.

How's your work?

I'd like to see what

you've been painting.

I feel lost, really.

Here.

'Cause I've been doing

a lot of, uh...

a lot of

expressionistic stuff lately.

That will get you lost

very quickly.

Don't reduce art to something

that's about the artist.

Art isn't about the artist.

It's about life.

Life...

beauty...

Iove...

emotion.

Art should bring emotion

that can topple tyranny.

I haven't forgotten, Glen.

Are you gonna try

this one again?

We were in Paris

before the war.

And we would picnic

along the Seine.

You and Nicole?

A little wine, some bread

by the water.

She liked the simple things.

I lay back on the grass

and looked up.

The light played

through the trees...

touched her.

You must see

the summer light in Paris.

It surrounds the leaves,

holds them somehow.

If there were a God...

that light

would be like his hand...

holding the whole world

together.

If I could paint that...

Yeah, I bet that art dealer

in San Francisco...

would be very happy.

Sidney.

You know, a new Glen Wesman

would be worth a lot of money.

Sidney always tries

to inspire me.

"Call Sidney.

"Tell him to go to hell."

You like Sidney.

Do I?

You always said you did.

What was I writing?

You know, don't even...

Don't even bother

writing it down, Glen.

I bet you'll remember

to tell him to go to hell...

when you see him.

Yes.

I shall recline here

like an Oriental potentate...

and then try once again

to capture Nicole...

record the loss.

Nicole...

Want to top things off

with tea?

Fresca?

Some other fine beverage?

No.

FINAL NOTICE

Mom, what is this?

- Nothing.

- Nothing?

Bank says they're

foreclosing, Mom.

Tom, this is my business,

not yours.

Let me see.

I'll figure it out.

I have until New Year's...

to come up with

the back payments.

$3,151...

and 39 cents.

This is due in two weeks.

How can they do this?

They have already

extended me countless times.

I've spoken to them.

There's nothing more

they can do.

Mom, how could you

fall this far behind?

Why didn't you tell us, Mom?

Stop.

You are my boys.

I'm supposed

to take care of you...

not the other way around.

We're gonna lose the cottage.

Tom?

Oh, I was so close

to being asleep.

No, you weren't.

Okay. I wasn't.

You know how

I used to fall asleep?

It was looking

at that drawing of Dad...

and dreaming about

when he'd come back.

Babies.

On her own.

I remember Mom told me

I was the man of the house.

I'm not gonna go see Hope.

I'm gonna stay here

and get a job...

and work over the break.

You and Hope are like...

pretty serious?

She'll have to understand.

We can't leave Mom like this.

Yeah, okay.

Me, too.

I'll find something, too.

Some job.

Yeah. Good.

Trade ya.

You're on vacation.

You shouldn't be getting jobs.

Yeah, but, Mom, you have a job.

You go to work every day.

Why shouldn't we?

This isn't right.

Living like this?

You need help.

No. Your job is

to focus on school...

and when you come home,

you're on vacation.

So...

relax. Enjoy yourselves.

Pancakes, anyone?

Blue box.

Thanks for the job, Big Jim.

I don't know much

about electricity...

but I'm gonna work real hard.

Well, we're gonna

have to, Pat...

because these people

over here never sleep.

I gotta tell ya, they've been

trying to top me for 25 years.

Your move, Big Jim.

You're pathetic, Gunderson!

You and your uptight,

beady-eyed wife!

You think you can top me?

I'm Mr. Electricity

in this town.

Watch this.

I built this myself, Pat.

Does that go any faster?

No.

Don't give in to him.

He called me beady-eyed

in front of the neighbors.

Right there,

that's why I need your help.

They're bitter,

ugly people, Pat.

Sadists at heart.

Keep your cat off my yard!

I found a hairball

in my manger!

You don't have a manger!

Yeah, you don't have a manger.

I hate that cat.

Come on, let's go

blow up Mrs. Claus.

I do too have a manger.

I got everything.

Ernie, hey.

Hey.

Little Thomas Kinkade...

all the way from college.

Look at you.

Jeez.

Take a seat.

Give this man

a Pepsi-Cola, will ya?

Sure.

Thanks. You know, um...

I was actually

looking for you...

because I wanted to talk to you

about finding a job.

You know, just something

over the holidays.

A job, huh?

- Yeah.

- Right, work.

- Yeah.

- Employment.

You're in Placerville, son,

and I can tell...

you're digging for gold,

aren't ya?

Let me tell you something.

I'm digging for gold, too.

Tourist gold.

Who do you think's gonna buy

the Haggar slacks...

at the Round Tent?

Who's gonna buy

the cowboy hats at Arian's?

Any thoughts?

Tourists.

Tourists, exactly.

But tourists who are

gonna be coming...

to the Christmas tree

capital of the world, baby.

Yeah, sounds good. So...

Sounds good? No, no, no.

It sounds great.

I got KRGA coming in

from Sacramento.

They're gonna cover the pageant

and the tree lighting.

We're gonna be on TV screens...

from the capital all the way

to the foothills.

We're gonna be going on

around 4:30 in the afternoon...

so it'll probably

still be a little light out.

But that's okay.

We're gonna be the lead-in

to "Match Game."

So one minute, people

are gonna be watching me...

and the next minute, they're

gonna be watching Gene Rayburn.

It's almost gonna be like

Gene and I are friends.

And, if that goes well...

next year, we're prime-time.

Wow. So...

Hello there.

Oh, hi, honey.

It's nice to see you again.

It's nice to see you.

Thank you.

Ernie.

Tanya.

Such an exciting time

of year, isn't it?

Yes, it is. Lovely.

I just can't wait to run

for Miss Placerville again...

and throw the switch

on that Christmas tree.

Tanya, you ran in 1974,

and you won.

I know.

You can't run again.

You gotta give

somebody else a shot.

But no one ever did

turn on a tree...

the way I turned on a tree,

now, did they...

Ernie?

You know, Tanya...

when those photos came out...

as president

of the Chamber of Commerce...

I got phone calls

night and day...

not to mention the organized

protests in the street.

I really don't think we want

to go down this road again.

I'm just telling you.

That was art...

and this is discrimination.

I'm sorry.

You just can't run again.

You are not the boss of me.

Yes, but I'm president

of Chamber of Commerce.

Yeah, well, I've got friends

in this town, too.

I'm not some

Little Orphan Ernie.

I mean, Annie...

Ernie.

You know what I mean.

I don't...

Goodbye, sunshine.

Tommy... everybody wants

a piece of this action.

So, do you have any jobs open?

No, I do not.

It's been very slow.

No tourists here.

That's exactly why

we gotta promote this place.

Like with this mural?

Yes. Yes, exactly

like with this mural.

Oh, Placerville

at Christmastime.

If Charlie could

just get it finished.

And if he could learn

how to paint.

You know,

he's a damn good letterer...

but other than that,

you really can't ask...

It's Main Street,

the Christmas tree?

I can paint this.

Really?

Yes.

Well, now, you know...

I want it like Norman Rockwell.

I mean, I want this to make us

proud of our hometown.

That's a tall order.

Oh, now, come on,

you're not gonna get...

all high-tone Berkeley

on me, are you?

None of that social

commentary stuff, right?

I mean,

this is the back of a store.

This is not a museum.

You understand that?

Of course.

Yeah?

- Yeah.

- All right.

Well, let's say 500 bucks

if it's done by Christmas Eve.

You got a deal.

Yeah? Deal?

All right.

How was work?

Oh, it was fine.

Filing claims is filing claims.

How about you guys?

Any luck?

We are both on the job.

All of us Kinkades

are workin' Joes now.

Oh, that's great!

That is great!

How about we go home

and celebrate...

with some leftover spaghetti?

All right.

Little Joe's.

Hi, Dad.

T-Bone!

How's it hangin', son?

Good, Dad. So, listen...

it looks like I'm gonna be in

Placerville the whole holiday...

and I thought you

might like to come up.

Kinkade! Is that

half-pepperoni done yet?

Comin', Skip.

Dad...

It'll be right up, sir.

- Dad...

- I'm gonna get that kid.

I've seen managers

come and go, son...

but Big Bill sticks.

Someday I'll own this joint.

Cash in my U.S. war bonds,

and I'll buy this place.

And I will watch with glee...

as that pimply-faced jerk

falls to his knees...

as dear old Dad is anointed with

the Little Joe's pizza crown!

Dad, he's nineteen.

He's wet behind the ears.

Hey, so, you can really come up?

It's kind of an emergency.

Chick problems, huh?

You need a pinch-hitter, son?

Look, I can explain it all

when you get here, okay, Dad?

Hey, I'll be there for you.

Don't you count out

your old Pops. No, sir.

500 bucks is 500 bucks.

Did you ever do a painting

you didn't believe in?

It's kinda funny you ask.

Actually,

I just took on a job...

doing this ridiculous Christmas

mural of Placerville...

for 500 bucks.

Ridiculous.

Yeah, I know.

A mural of Placerville.

It's your chance

to illuminate where you live...

to inspire your neighbors.

Do you think because

they aren't sophisticated...

they don't deserve

your best art?

No, it...

That mural can record the people

you love for posterity.

It could change

the way they see themselves.

Art crosses all borders,

surpasses all languages.

It's a place

where we are one family.

And if you are willing,

really...

to see with your eyes

and your heart...

one image can change lives.

You can introduce men

to their souls.

You can bring that

to this town.

You have that power.

Give your very best always.

Always the finest

your heart has.

Okay.

It's the only way

an artist knows.

Okay, Glen.

Humpty-Dumpty

sat on a wall.

Humpty-Dumpty

had a great fall.

All the king's horses...

and all the king's men...

couldn't put Humpty...

Humpty-Dumpty.

Glen wasn't

the only one grieving.

My mother was always there

to comfort everyone.

Like Butch, the owner

of the Hangtown Saloon.

Are you gonna go

over there before Christmas?

Yeah.

Well, his pine tree has shot up

another couple of inches.

I love the smell of that tree.

And the air today,

it's just so fresh and so clean.

That war,

it's still taking its toll.

Wars never end.

Just...

Just the lives of the soldiers

who fight them.

She's panting awfully hard.

She does that all day long.

Bulldogs have

respiratory problems.

You should really

have her checked out.

Problems, really?

Well, I will.

Thanks, Maryanne.

I owe you a beer.

I owe you more than that.

Stay, boy.

Stay, Jupiter. Down.

I'm sorry, Tom.

I always forget

the German word for "sit."

It's "sitten sie" or something.

He'll respond to German.

Sitten sie.

Jupiter...

sit.

Come on, Jupiter.

I know you think

I'm a busybody.

Am I okay with you?

Yeah.

Of course you are.

Okay.

Come on, Jupiter.

Schnell.

No, no, no, no, no!

Stoppen sie!

Stoppen sie! Come here!

Stoppen sie!

"And it came to pass

in those days that"...

No, no. More bass.

"And it came to pass

in those days...

"that there went out a decree

from Caesar Augustus...

"that all the world

should be taxed"?

Wow.

Psst. Hey, that's

too much spirit gum.

The bottle says "generously."

Yeah, but...

Oh, yeah?

Who died and made you

Max Factor?

Please let her do it, Evelyn.

Ernie won't let her be

Miss Placerville again.

She'll be fine in the role...

especially

with your brilliant direction.

Why doesn't Mary

have any lines?

She's the key role, Tanya.

Without Mary,

there'd be no Jesus.

Mary was

a beautiful woman, Tanya.

You'll be great.

Besides,

we need your star power.

- Hey, Pastor.

- Oh.

Guess what.

I'm gonna be Mary.

The Vir... The Vir...

The Blessed... Well.

Evelyn!

Did you want two humps...

on the camel?

You know what? I'll...

"And so it was that

while they were there...

"the days

were accomplished...

"that she should be delivered.

"And she brought forth

her firstborn son...

"wrapped him

in swaddling clothes...

"and laid him in a manger...

"because there was

no room in the inn."

Joy to the world

The Lord is come

Let Earth receive her king...

- Oh, damn it to hell!

- What?

Break's over, everyone.

Let's get started.

Places, please. Come along.

- Come on, kids.

- Come along.

Come along, hurry up now.

Madeline,

don't forget your staff.

Okay, great. Great.

Coming in?

Good, good, good.

Very good.

Vesta, we'll start

with "Silent Night."

What?

We'll start with "Silent Night"!

No, Vesta. I want to

change the order.

You can

never change the order...

of the pageant music with Vesta.

You'll have to wait

until she dies.

That could be arranged.

I'm serious.

Whoever is mooing,

please stop it.

Cut the cow!

Sawdust for brains,

this one.

Okay. If we could just start.

Okay. Stand.

Evelyn.

Oh, my God, Lloyd.

What happened?

It's an allergy.

I think

I'm in anaphylactic shock.

You're in ana-who?

I've read about this.

I know all the characteristics.

I've got the hives. I've got

the swelling of the neck.

I've got the cramping

little tummy pains.

It's the spirit gum.

I told you

you were using too much.

I was the one who said that.

Shut up, okay?

Wheezing,

throat closing down...

inability to breathe.

Oh, my God, we've gotta

get to a hospital.

I need a broncho-dilator.

Let me just...

I can help you with this here.

There's your broncho-dilator!

That really hurt.

You could say thank you.

Are you okay, honey?

I don't know. It was like...

an assault!

Oh, you're welcome.

What a jerk.

I can't work with him.

Yeah?

That makes two of us!

All right, all right, come on.

Come on, guys. Let's, uh...

Let's try to keep

our eyes on the prize, okay?

Those TV cameras out there...

they're gonna wanna

see happy faces.

Yeah, well, then why is

his ugly mug centerstage?

I'll tell ya why.

Because his wife is

the big kahuna here!

You take that back,

you big giraffe.

Why, you little...

You can't do that!

Watch me!

Stop it! Both of you!

In front of the children,

no less.

Some great Christmas pageant.

I can't be a wise man,

not with these two fools.

I'm turning in my beard.

Oh, no.

Ow.

We need a wise man.

Does he have a line?

I know the perfect person.

I'll be right back.

I haven't seen Butch

here since...

Nine years.

The funeral.

It can't be.

- Ho ho ho!

- Pop!

- Paddy boy!

- How are ya?

T-Bone!

Oh, my.

Man, couple of fine young

California redwoods.

Yeah! Dang!

Hey, boys, I got your Christmas

presents right back here.

Just what the doctor

ordered, yes, sir.

There it is, boys.

There it is.

Christmas classic.

Go ahead, Paddy-whacker.

Get 'em out here, huh?

I been collecting 'em

for a long time.

Many years now.

That's vintage gold.

First-class merchandise.

Go ahead. Open 'em up.

Don't be bashful.

Yes, sir. They're worth

many, many drachmas.

That right there,

100% made in America.

That's hot stuff. Turn it.

These are great, Dad.

Well, boys, I got

this puppy all tuned up...

for our invasion down

Mexico way. Yes, sirree.

I've been saving my pennies...

and I got myself

a pretty little pile...

because

we are going to Mexico...

where the beer is cold

and the señoritas hot.

Boys, we gotta go soon,

huh? Olé!

Wait, Dad, don't you

want to stay for a little bit?

Stick around? You mean

like park the carcass...

- chew the fat a while?

- Yeah.

Or no, but...

It's actually

kinda serious, Dad.

Look, why don't you

just come inside?

See, some stuff

happened, and...

I'll tell ya, Thomasito,

stuff happens.

You remember

what Confucius say:

"Life's a bitch...

"and then you die."

Right, but, Dad...

And you will be dead

a long, long time.

Dad, don't you wanna come in

for just a minute?

Well, not at this momento.

No, thank you.

I got a noose

waiting for me...

down at the Hangtown Saloon.

But you could

stick around, right?

We really gotta talk, Dad.

What's the matter, boy?

Ain't you gettin' any?

- Incoming!

- That's not the problem.

I mean, that is...

This is about something

totally different, Dad.

Okay, I'll stick around

a little while.

Whatever the problem is,

all you gotta do...

is just grab your ass

with both hands...

and never let go.

Yes, sir.

I can hear them señoritas

right now.

Oh, hey, boys.

I got you guys a couple

of stocking stuffers...

on my last trip to Mexico.

Olé!

Bitchin', Tom.

Hold on, Butch.

Stay right like that.

Cool.

Say, Rembrandt...

would you like

to take a walk with me?

I'm gonna go see my kid.

Sure.

I can't sleep.

They say that time heals,

but I...

I still can't sleep.

And, uh...

it hurts the same,

year after year.

Why doesn't it get easier?

I miss you.

Son, I miss you very much.

Merry Christmas.

You gotta be still, okay?

It's our final

dress rehearsal...

and I want it

to be perfect.

Okay, stand up.

And...

I told you not

to change the order.

"We Wish You

a Merry Christmas," Vesta.

I may not be

Miss Placerville...

but I can still

turn on a tree.

You want Placerville to look

its very best on TV, don't you?

Of course I do.

Well, who is the only nationally

recognized personality...

this town has to offer?

Okay.

We'll give it a shot, okay?

I knew that you'd

see it my way.

Ooh, make a wish.

I just did.

Evie, honey, I'm sorry.

I can't keep this beard

on anymore.

This spirit gum,

it's killing me.

Perfect. That was great.

Now Lloyd says he's quitting.

He's quitting?

Lord, we need

another wise man.

Oh, he can't quit.

Don't worry.

I'll be right back.

Just keep singing.

Them damn Krauts...

they circled us

here and here.

And that's why

they called it the Bulge.

We were like fish in a barrel.

Ol' Bill was a big walleye,

believe you me.

Hello, Bill.

I heard there was

a drifter in town.

Hi, sweetie.

It's been a while.

Not long enough.

That's not

a very kind thing to say.

Want a drink?

Not really...

but I figured you did.

So I do.

So I do, my dear.

I read once that drinking

was dangerous...

so I gave up reading.

Still killing time, huh, Bill?

No one ever kills time,

honey.

But you can hold it captive.

You told me that one

about a hundred years ago.

Feels like a hundred years,

that's for damn sure.

Lot of water

under the bridge.

Rivers under the bridge.

Oceans.

We were young once,

sweet Maryanne

Couple of crazy kids

had a wedding.

My mother threw rice.

You threw firecrackers.

You sure were beautiful.

Still are.

If I may say so myself...

I was quite a handsome

young lad once upon a time.

You used to call me

your knight in shining armor.

I see you've gotten

some dents over the years.

Yeah, well...

all that armor...

got a little heavy.

I just couldn't, uh...

Back then, we sure

were on the merry-go-round...

chasin' that brass ring.

I'm still goin' for it.

Yeah, while you're

grabbing that brass ring...

I'm trying to scrape together

a living to raise two boys.

And they are

damn fine young men.

Thank you.

Bill, I've never asked

you for anything.

Ever.

But the church

needs your help.

Hold on, darlin'.

Usually people put that

the other way around.

I need you to perform

in the pageant.

Whoa, Nellie.

Bill, after this year's

pageant, I'm...

Well, things change...

and you never know

what's gonna happen.

The boys may not make it

home again for Christmas.

I just want this Christmas

to be really special.

Memorable.

Please.

Well... things aren't always...

as memorable as they used

to be, darlin', you know.

At least I don't

have Alzheimer's.

I have some-heimer's.

I remember some things.

I remember everything.

Do it for Pat and Tom.

You owe them.

Sugar, I don't owe

anybody anything.

Oh, you do.

You owe me.

Not this contraption.

I want my staff, my rod.

I don't use a walker,

a walker!

It turns you

into an old woman.

It walks you.

But a staff, a rod.

Give me something I can

assault the enemy with!

Hello, Glen.

Sid.

Sid?

In the too, too solid flesh.

Hey, boy-o.

There was something

I was supposed to tell you.

Nice to see you, Tom.

Thanks for coming,

Mr. Marvin.

Oh, now I remember, yes.

Go to hell.

I've already been there.

How's my market, Sid?

It's been a while since I've had

a new Glen Wesman to offer.

I need a great painting.

He needs a great check.

He's in rare form today.

What did you put

in his coffee?

I will not pander.

I won't put crap

out on the market.

No, no, no, no.

Glen, Glen...

I know you've had

some pain.

I've known pain all my life.

What I'm feeling now is rage.

Rage that you'd like

to calculate my suffering...

and translate it

into dollars and cents.

I'm through

with the whole business.

I'm done, I'm finished.

I've heard that speech before.

You think you're the only one

who's ever suffered?

Every year, Marc Chagall

yelled at me, huh?

Said he'd never paint again.

But he always came up

with a new piece from inside.

And you can do the same.

I've been trying

for months to do it, Sid.

To capture Nicole...

so the world would

never lose her.

It's not there.

I may not live

to see Christmas.

Get to work.

As you leave...

I'm leaving? I just got here.

Your inspiration

has exhausted me.

As you leave...

would you please

bring me my staff?

My rod.

I'll do that.

Somehow this walker

has appeared by my bed...

and I don't want

the damn thing.

Uh, Your Worship.

Now you can go to hell.

Nicole...

Nicole...

Those pictures

are unsaleable.

They're not finished.

They are finished.

He won't go back

and finish them...

and he knows it.

He's been depressed

ever since Nicole died...

and it's gotten

in the way of his genius.

It's worse than that.

He's been getting

confused lately.

He has one more painting in him.

I'm sure of it.

That would make your bank

account very happy, I'm sure.

I know you think

I'm some kind of mercenary.

That's my job.

I love Glen.

I love his art, too.

And I've done right by him

for a long time.

And he's done

a hell of a lot for you.

So...

how's life treating you?

Have you got a minute,

Mr. Marvin?

My family...

we're...

We're in a bit

of a financial pinch.

Do you think maybe...

Do you think maybe

there'd ever be a buyer...

for any of these?

I don't think so.

Your teachers at Berkeley

do this kind of thing better.

These are pale imitations.

I'm sorry.

You might have something

inside you.

I don't think

you've found it yet.

But you sure as hell

can draw.

It's beautiful.

It's this little town and...

these people

I've known all my life.

There's so much love here.

It's beautiful, Tom.

Don't ever doubt that.

Nanette was my first love.

I hadn't seen her

in almost a year.

Funny how my heart jumped.

Five...

four...

three, two...

one.

Oh, that's so tacky.

Take that, Gunderson.

Keep them lights

a-coming, Patrick.

You're doing great there, boy.

What do you want

to do today, Vesta?

Look, there we are.

Hi, Butch.

Mother's milk.

Right back at ya.

If we could just start.

Mr. Chang.

Gunderson...

the wind is blowing down

your elves.

What wind?

And your flocking stinks.

Your flocking is outstanding.

You can bring love

into our church pageant...

but you have to hear it

and feel it first.

Am I beautiful?

I thought so.

It's coming along, huh?

Gunderson.

Yeah.

Merry Christmas there, Butch.

January 5th.

I don't know, Kinkade.

I mean, it's, uh...

Well, it's interesting.

No, it's not.

It's not gonna work.

Hey. There's my store.

Wow. Very beautiful.

I like that very much.

See? He hates it.

Oh, well.

That's me...

with Jupiter.

You see how friendly he is?

I told ya, Tom.

Look how skinny I am.

You know,

it was actually my idea...

to have him paint the people...

that make Placerville

so special.

I may not know much

about artwork...

but I do know

what the public wants.

Very beautiful.

You ready to take

a break there, Tom, huh?

A break? No.

Day after tomorrow's

Christmas Eve.

This has to be ready

for the TV cameras.

No, you can take a break

after Christmas. Yeah?

Listen, fifty bucks...

if you can find a spot

to put me in there, huh?

Fifty? Yeah?

Forty-five. Just paint me in.

Okay, great.

Wonderful.

Big Jim gave me some overtime.

And I'll have 500,

assuming I can finish the mural.

Then there's about 200

in my savings account.

I must have a hundred or so.

That leaves us short.

Hello.

I'm looking at you right now.

Hi.

At one of your paintings.

Hope.

I miss you so much, Thomas.

Yeah, me, too.

And I decided,

if you can't come to me...

I'll come to you.

Dad.

Number one son!

Park yourself right there.

Join me at the altar, Tommy.

What I'm most proud about you,

T-Bone...

T-Boneus Rex...

is that you

never took up smoking.

I'm really proud about that.

Look, Dad, I have

to talk to you about Mom.

Right, yeah. I remember.

You mentioned the, uh...

The money.

See, Mom got behind.

Oh, she got behind, did she?

Well, there's the switch.

She was always and forever

grinding my gears...

about getting behind.

Now she's behind.

That, number one son,

I find a regular laugh riot.

Well, it's not funny.

We're gonna lose

the cottage, Dad.

We gotta come up with $3,000.

Three grand.

Big spender, your mother.

Look, Dad, she...

She loaned people money, okay?

She gave people things.

She never gave me a dime.

Well, couldn't...

Couldn't you for me?

For Pat?

Well, you see, kiddo...

number one son...

I ain't got it.

I'm livin' paycheck

to damn paycheck.

What about the Mexico money?

Poof.

I'm livin' week to week...

hand to damn mouth.

Let me tell you something.

That's the only way to live.

Week to week, day to day...

hour to hour, minute to minute.

Each day in the moment, son.

Enjoy the hell out of life.

One day, you wake up...

and it's gone.

What happens if you're about

to lose everything...

that's made you who you are?

Your home, your teacher...

your hopes and dreams?

When that all goes,

what's left?

I'm not sure

about the speaker system, Tom.

I don't think

they have it anymore.

Well, just ask him, Mom.

Look, Ernie swears it's in

there...

and he says he needs

it for the pageant.

And you know how Ernie is.

He's not gonna let me alone

until he gets an answer.

Okay.

Mom, what about the speaker?

I couldn't ask him, Tom.

Why not?

Because I don't work there

anymore.

What?

I got laid off in September.

Business was slow.

Oh, my God.

You should've told us.

No, I didn't wanna

worry you kids...

interfere with your school.

Mom, you come down here

every day, all day long.

No, I sit on the bench,

or I go over...

and I visit at the hospital,

or I, um...

I help out at the church.

And I look for work every day,

but there's nothing out there.

We're going to lose the house,

Tom.

We're gonna lose everything.

No.

No, Mom, hey, it'll be okay.

I'm not so sure anymore.

How will we live?

Oh, God.

I'll move.

I'll leave Placerville,

and I'll get a job in...

No. We'll figure it out, okay?

You have so many friends here

in town. They'll help.

- I'll go talk to everybody in

town.

- No!

No, you won't.

Maryanne Kinkade

does not ask for charity.

I couldn't endure the shame,

humiliation.

I will suffer this alone.

The last thing that I still have

that is mine is my pride.

You understand.

Shouldn't I be in the center,

and shouldn't I be bigger?

You're plenty big, Tanya.

Can you fix it?

I'll see what I can do.

And you messed up my nose.

I know, I hate that.

I love your nose.

Guess who.

Hey, you made it.

Well?

Well, it pays the rent, right?

All of a sudden,

Hope was there...

with all her big city dreams

for me...

and my two worlds collided.

Hey. Get ready to go.

That's it, that's it.

Smile. Smile.

Oh, that's it.

Oh, good. Okay.

This is so great.

Ernie, look this way.

Come on. That's it, That's it.

Oh, good, Cheryl.

Stand back there.

How'd the skank weasel her way

back in, Ernie?

What's she got on ya?

Nothing. Nothing!

Yeah, and if birds could fly.

Yes, birds can fly.

Suck an egg, '77.

Hey, come on, ladies.

Please, zip, zip.

All right.

And now from Placerville...

the official Christmas tree

capital of the world...

here to light

our town twee...

our town tree is a veteran

Miss Placerville.

So here she is now

to turn it on.

Hello, Sacramento.

I'm Tanya Kapinski,

Miss Placerville, 1974.

You know, I've worked

as a professional model...

for many years.

And in fact,

if you happen to have...

the April 1974 issue

of "Easy Rider"...

I'd be more than happy

to sign that for you...

- right after the ceremony.

- That's good, huh?

But there's no place like home.

I mean, really,

home is just the best place...

that a person could be from.

And so it is with my great

honor...

that I'm here to light up

Placerville...

the Christmas tree capital

of the world.

Okay, in five, four,

three, two, one.

What?

Just 'cause I wired it?

It wasn't my fault, okay?!

Nicole.

Give me your hand.

Hi, Glen.

It's me.

Sorry, I'm a little behind. I...

What a day.

There's a beautiful moon

coming up.

A crescent moon for Christmas.

I brought you something.

It's icy on the bridge.

Don't fall.

Your fingers in mine, Nicole.

It's Maryanne.

I brought you

some hot chocolate, Glen.

I don't want to lose you.

Give me your hand.

Here, let me help you up.

Stubborn woman.

Lean on me.

We'll cross the Pont Neuf.

Glen, we're not in Paris.

We're in your studio.

My studio?

My easel, my paints?

They're all here.

Nicole?

It's 1977, Glen.

You've made me an old man.

I was young a moment ago.

Here, look at this.

Smell this.

Isn't it beautiful?

Let me take you on a walk.

You haven't been outside in...

in weeks.

Let me take you on a walk.

Let me take you

to the Christmas pageant.

I respectfully decline

your invitation.

My next visit to the church

will be for my funeral.

There's still life

out there for you, Glen.

You need to touch it

and taste it and see it.

I see more than you think.

Maryanne, you're killing

yourself with pride.

That night, Placerville

had its chance to redeem itself.

The Christmas pageant

seemed like a sure thing.

I mean,

how can you go wrong...

with little kids

and some wise men?

I figured wax-based paint would

really make the scenery shine...

under the TV lights.

Showtime.

"And it came to pass

in those days...

"that there went out a decree

from Caesar Augustus...

"that all the world

should be taxed.

"And Joseph went up from Galilee

into Bethlehem with Mary...

"his espoused wife.

"And she brought forth

their firstborn son...

"and she wrapped him

in swaddling clothes...

"and laid him in a manger...

"for there was no room

for them at the inn."

What's wrong?

What's happening

to the scenery?

Oh, my God.

We must've used too much wax.

Under these lights...

It's melting.

Oh, look, the donkey's peeing.

"And, um, there were in that

same country shepherds"...

That's not good. That's not...

"watching over their flock."

Stop laughing.

Oh, well, looks I'm gonna be

on riot control any minute.

Let's walk off.

Come on, Sweetie.

Let's walk.

No, no, no.

What are you doing?

No, no, no. Mary, sit down.

What's going on?

No, no, no, no, no,

don't stop the show.

It is not the end

of the world.

Yes, it is the end of the world.

You don't understand.

This was supposed to be

a beautiful Christmas pageant.

It was supposed

to be a light, airy...

Get back there.

There was supposed to be

a lighted Christmas tree...

in the town square.

No.

Huh, great.

And now the final humiliation.

Thank you, Tommy.

Thank you.

This is all your fault.

For goodness sake.

You don't have

to listen to this, Thomas.

Let's get out of here...

back to where

they appreciate you.

Oh! Oh, wonderful.

Okay. Well, the TV people

are packing it in...

and, great,

the audience is leaving, too.

Well, Tommy,

you painted the scenery.

You're the one that screwed up!

Now, now.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Just cool your jets there,

Captain Kangaroo...

and back off.

Tommy Boy didn't screw this up.

He gave this town

a great Christmas gift.

Look at that mural.

He gave you the heart

and soul of this place.

Yeah, it looks

pretty good to me.

This old town...

you don't need

to impress anyone.

You're A-okay

just the way you are.

Aren't we all here

celebrating...

someone who was born

in a garage?

Stable.

Or a...

- Stable.

- Stable.

Stable?

He never had much money, either.

Thank you.

Thank you for your time.

Thanks, Dad.

We'd love to share...

our Christmas candle lighting

ceremony with you.

The children are ready.

Come on, children.

Let me help with you that,

darlin'.

Hope.

You don't belong here.

I don't know where I belong.

Don't give up on yourself.

I'm not giving up.

Will you read, Maryanne?

"For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given.

"And the government

shall be upon his shoulder...

"and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counselor...

"the Mighty God,

the Everlasting Father...

"the Prince of Peace."

You know, I don't know a lot

about scripture.

I'm not a scholar,

and I'm not a preacher...

but when I look out

and I see the faces...

of these young children

in the candlelight...

so full of hope...

I feel the presence

of God right here...

like little angels

telling us all...

to, "Fear not, I bring you

tidings of great joy."

You are the light of the world

in a...

a very dark winter.

And we could all use a little

bit of extra light right now.

Excuse me, angel.

I light this candle as a symbol

of sharing God's love...

with all of his children.

That Christmas Eve, I realized

that in a vast, black night...

even a little light

shines brightly...

and all we can do is

our best to find that light...

and share it with others.

Ernie.

Okay. And...

Merry Christmas.

Happy holidays.

Bless you.

It's Christmas Eve, Glen.

How are you?

Remember when you told me...

this was the one night of the

year when animals could talk?

You said when the animals talk,

it wasn't magic.

It was holy...

a glimpse of the sacred.

You said it was a moment

where we could understand...

the heart of every living thing.

I always thought

it was a miracle...

when you built your studio

in the field by my house.

It was like God's gift to me,

bringing you here.

You always told me you weren't

gonna teach me how to paint...

but why to paint.

And I'll be forever grateful

to you for that.

I wish I could give you back

something...

but I have nothing.

We're losing the cottage, Glen.

A year from now, I have no idea

where we'll be.

This may be

our last Christmas together...

and I have no gift for you,

Glen.

I have no way to thank you

for everything.

No money, nothing.

Just love.

I love you, Glen.

Don't give up, please.

That's the first thing

you taught me...

about being an artist:

you never give up.

Don't give up, Glen.

There's a light in you still.

The snow stopped falling

by Christmas morning.

It had blanketed Placerville...

Thank you.

deep and crisp and even.

Now it's your turn.

There you go. Open it up.

Thank you, Tom.

Now I have the cottage forever.

No, no, no, no, no.

Don't say no, Mom.

It's not much, but it's a start

of a new life for us.

We gotta stick together.

We're all we've got.

Thank you, Pat.

Thank you.

It looks

like a million dollars to me.

Good morning.

We've come to help you

fix this place up.

Then maybe you could sell it.

It's about time somebody

gave you a gift for Christmas.

But how did everybody know?

I spilled the beans.

We know this probably

won't solve all your problems...

but we had to do something.

It was kind of my idea.

I mean,

after all you've done for us.

Maryanne, for you.

For good fortune and happiness.

I don't know what to say.

Say merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Okay, son,

that ought to do it.

Let's give her a shot.

All right, come on, baby.

Come on now! Come to Big Bill.

Start that truck!

Attaboy.

Please sweep the dust back in.

What?

You are sweeping the good luck

out of the house.

Let go of broom. Go, go.

Yes. Do it. Do it.

Very good. Yeah.

I never knew.

Knew what?

That you matter to everyone?

Well, you do.

Tom, can you get that, please?

Glen, what are you...

Come here. Come in.

Oh, my God.

What are you doing here?

How'd you get over here?

My staff.

My rod.

Are you okay?

It's the light, Tom,

that's what lasts.

The leaves are transient.

They grow, turn green,

turn red, and die...

but behind them,

the light lasts forever.

Glen, please, come sit down.

Paint the light.

Christmas gift.

Remember how Sidney hoped

I had one more painting in me?

I did.

Just one.

Latin.

Good old Latin.

"The Last Leaf"...

is my last painting, Tom.

No, Glen, no.

I had been trying

to paint my sorrow...

to show the bleakness of a world

without Nicole.

But then you came

with a candle last night...

and I knew what

Nicole's memorial should be.

Not darkness, no, but light.

Sometimes we can barely see

beyond the forest to the sky.

I was painting the leaves

of the forest...

and never saw the light

of the sky behind it.

Now I see it.

That's all I need to see now.

I'll treasure this forever,

Glen.

No, you will not.

You will take it

to Sidney Marvin...

and you will sell it.

The last Glen Wesman

should bring you enough...

to keep this cottage forever.

Oh, Glen. Thank you.

No, thank you. Thank you.

What for?

You managed to put Humpty-Dumpty

back together again.

Those were the last brushstrokes

Glen ever painted.

He sat at our table

for Christmas dinner.

- There, Tom. You'll carve it.

- Of course.

All right.

Holy Father,

bless this meal...

and all who are gathered here.

Amen.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Glen.

My mother made sure

Glen was well-fed.

After dinner, we sang carols.

The old favorites,

with words like...

"the hopes and fears

of all the years"...

and "God rest ye merry,

gentlemen."

Then I helped Glen walk home.

Big Jim stayed up all night...

fixing the wiring

on that tree...

and Placerville turned on

its real lights that year.

I always thought it was the year

we found Christmas...

all over again.

Wow.

When I went to see Glen

the next evening...

he had gone home for good.

He was back where the light

burns brighter...

than we could ever imagine.

Pacem, Glen.

Peace.

You showed me the light...

a light that has filled my life

ever since.

You have that power holding

the whole world together.

Now I see it.

That was thirty years ago.

Today, Big Jim still puts up

just one star, nothing else.

And he and the Gundersons

finally became friends.

Vesta's buried in that

little cemetery near our house.

Butch is there, too...

finally resting peacefully

next to his son.

Glen's painting

took a journey, too...

and is now owned

by a museum in New York.

Mr. Rosa retired, but he still

keeps track of all of our lives.

Tanya kept entering

the Miss Placerville contest...

until she was well into her 50s.

And to this day, Ernie still

promotes Placerville... quietly.

Pat stuck with his schooling...

and became a well-known writer

and professor.

Nanette?

Well, that's a story

for another day.

And Mom,

thanks to Glen's gift of love...

well, she never had to worry

about a mortgage payment again.

She got a job she loved

with the county...

and retired several years later.

And Bill?

Well, my dad

kept leading his crazy life...

driving his old heap

in search of new adventures.

As for me,

I'm still trying my best...

to use the lessons Glen

taught me.

Lessons about art, about life,

and about light.

In the end, love is the

brightest light of all.

FOR GLEN