[Emily]: We were on our way to spend Christmas
in the mountains.
Dad had built a log cabin
and this was the first time
any of us were going
to see it.
Here we were, four hours
into our vacation,
and things weren't going well.
Surprise!
Can we make snow angels
when we get to the cabin?
At the pace we're going
it'll be dark by the time
we get there.
So no, idiot, we can't.
Alexander, why
would you call her that?
Yeah.
Who's calling who an idiot,
anyway?
Whom.
Who is calling whom
an idiot?
Could you be more annoying?
Alexander!
Please!
Try to have some
Christmas spirit.
Yeah, I'm just providing
a public service.
Good grammar is on
the verge of extinction.
If you really want to provide
a public service,
put a bag over your head
and shut up.
Alex!
Hey!
Dad, can I please put on
my headphones
so I don't have
to listen to him?
No, remember?
No headphones.
This is a family holiday,
we're just gonna enjoy
each other's company.
Let's have pleasant
conversation.
I haven't heard many
pleasant conversations
coming from you
and mom lately.
Ok, watch it.
You know what, the weather
is getting worse.
Check the weather station.
Didn't you check it
before we left?
[Radio] And weather
continues to deteriorate
across the state as the storm moves in from the west.
Meteorologists believe this
could be the fiercest storm
hit in the past 15 years,
forcing officials to close down
all mountain passes
within the next hour.
Do you think maybe we should
turn back?
Judith, you heard the report.
The storm is coming
from behind us.
If we turn around we're
gonna drive straight into it.
Great.
This is just great.
They said the pass is open
for another hour,
we're gonna be half an hour.
We're gonna be fine.
Everything is gonna be fine,
we're on our way there.
You're gonna love it!
Yes!
You guys, we're going on
a Christmas vacation
and we don't have to turn back!
This is gonna be so much fun!
♪
We're here, kids.
Yes!
Wow.
It can't be.
Only the finest materials
were used.
This is awesome.
Woah, this is huge, daddy!
Come on, guys, come on!
Hurry up!
Hurry!
Hurry!
Ok, ok.
Woah.
Whew.
It's spectacular!
Sick!
So, uh, dad...
where's the TV?
Oh, there's no TV.
Daddy, daddy, daddy!
Look at the Christmas tree!
So, what do you think?
It's so grand.
Grand?
Well, I was expecting...
I don't know, you said
"a cabin in the woods".
You don't like it?
No, I- no, no, I do.
It's gorgeous.
I've never seen anything
so beautiful.
It's a wonderful surprise.
Thank you.
Well, I had the decorator stock
it with absolutely everything
that we'd need,
from snowshoes to Aspirin,
so if you need anything,
it's here.
I thought we were going to pick
a tree from the woods
and cut it down ourselves?
With the storm coming in,
I don't think we'll be able
to get one anyway.
Can we decorate the Christmas
tree today?
I don't see why not, honey.
Let's unload the car.
Ok.
Where are the boxes
of ornaments?
I don't know.
Charles, where
are the ornaments?
I don't know where they are,
why would I know?
You put them in the car,
didn't you?
Why would I put them
in the car?
Because I asked you to.
They were all ready to go.
No.
No, I don't remember you
saying anything about ornaments.
Yes, I did.
I absolutely did.
Mom, dad, it doesn't matter.
The lights look pretty enough
all by themselves.
Don't you think?
We don't even need ornaments.
Yes, Emily.
And you're right.
The tree does look good
all by itself.
Who needs ornaments?
Listen, why don't you go
to your room
and go check it out, ok?
Was our family ever fun?
I have these dim memories,
I'm just not sure if
I imagined them.
Well, yeah, I guess,
when we were kids.
What happened?
You know what happened.
Whew.
That storm is really
picking up.
It looks like the weatherman
was right.
I could use a warm drink,
how about you?
I'm gonna go unpack
my stuff.
Mom, when the storm is over,
can we build a great
big snowman?
Daddy can help you.
Yes, I can help you.
I love building snowmen.
[Giggles]
Mom, I'm gonna need a carrot
for Frosty's nose.
And dad, don't worry if your
black buttons are missing.
It's for a good cause.
Frosty's eyes.
Right.
[Laughs]
[Phone rings]
Oh, it's Ben.
I gotta take this.
It's Ben.
I thought you said no business
calls while we were here?
I told him not to call me
unless it was an emergency.
Excuse me, everyone.
I'll be right back.
No, explain it?
What?
No, no.
Well, that didn't take long
at all.
It went well,
thanks for asking.
Em?
Honey?
Can you turn off the game,
please?
Alexander, turn off
the tablet.
Jennifer, let's close
the laptop.
Ok, new holiday rule.
From now on, no
electronic devices
for the rest of the trip.
[Gasps]
What? Are you crazy?!
What else are we gonna do
when we're stuck inside?
It's Christmas!
Read a book, tell a story.
Talk to each other.
Maybe you can bake something
with your mother.
There are plenty of things
you can do.
Are you gonna turn
your phone off?
I need my phone for business
purposes, son.
If I'm not on top of things,
it can be catastrophic.
Sure it can.
You know, your attitude is
getting very old very fast.
Charles, I need to talk
to you.
What is it, Judith? Huh?
You don't like my plan?
These kids have absolutely
no appreciation
for what they have.
Their heads are buried in
those devices all the time.
What do you expect?
You're on your phone every
five seconds!
I have important issues
to deal with!
I know, of course you do.
I can't help it that all hell
breaks loose
the moment I leave town.
Hell is always breaking
loose in your office.
I'm surprised you don't
rename it Brimstone Development.
None of this would have
happened if you had been
ready on time.
Are you kidding me?
If you had gotten in the car on time...
you put us all in a bad mood.
was off on the wrong foot.
You're yelling at everyone-
I wasn't yelling at anyone.
I didn't want to tell you...
we're this close.
This close to losing everything.
You are always on the verge
of losing everything.
Don't you realize that?
Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad
thing if we lost everything.
Then we could live in our house
on Waverly,
and like when we were happy!
Oh, that's be-
belittle my success!
Make it sound like a bad thing
that I provide for everybody.
I've given you everything.
But you don't give me
anything I need,
don't you understand that?
Mom? Dad?
Yeah, Em?
Yes?
Mom, I forgot to tell you,
Benjamin at school said
you're the prettiest mother
of all the mothers in our class.
Aw, that's...
really sweet of you to pass
on all the nice compliments.
Listen, it's really
late sweetheart,
I want you to get to bed, ok?
Ok.
Let's go.
Goodnight, Em.
I'm tired of the charade.
What charade is that?
It's like we're strangers
living together.
We pass each other in the halls
and we both pull back.
We're doing everything we can
not to touch each other.
You said this Christmas
was gonna be different.
You said this house was
gonna be a sanctuary.
It was a chance
for all of us
to get to know each
other once again.
But now I realize that I'm
a fool to think
that anything would
be different.
Judith...
Do you want to keep
living like this?
'Cause I don't.
Judith...
what- what are you saying?
I think you know
what I'm saying.
I thought everything would
be different
when we got to the cabin,
but everything was turning
out to be the same.
I pray that my parents don't
get a divorce.
[sobbing]
[Banging sounds]
What is that?
I don't know.
[Muffled voices outside]
Please help us, anybody?
I'll check the security cameras.
There's people
at our front door.
We've gotta let them in,
they must be freezing.
[Knocking]
Hello?
Hello?
[Knocking]
Please, can you
please open the door?
Come in!
You must be freezing!
Here, come by the fire.
Follow me.
Thank you.
Our van went off the road
and hit a tree.
We had to abandon it.
We saw your lights and we've
been walking against the wind
for the last hour.
We were headed to Whiteplane
to go skiing.
We thought we could
get over the pass.
We're the Tuckers,
from Greensburg.
My name is Joe,
my wife Amy.
I'm Emily, I'm 8.
My daughter Lucy,15,
and Robbie, 16.
My brother, Alexander,
is 15,
and my sister Jennifer
is 14.
My mom Judith is 39
and my dad, Charles, is 50.
Liste, uh...
you need to get
out of those ski clothes.
Ugh.
We were dressed to ski.
Unfortunately, the rest of
our clothes are back at the van.
Oh, that's ok.
We have plenty of clothes,
it'll work out.
It's not a problem.
Yeah.
That is so generous of you.
The guest rooms are down
the hall on the right,
just make yourselves at home.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I can show them to their rooms.
Oh, I'm going to get you
some clothes.
Ok, Alexander and Jennifer,
help me get some clothes
for the kids.
You don't expect me to share
my clothes with a stranger,
do you?
I'm going to pretend
I didn't hear that.
I suppose you're going to make
us share our computers, too.
Yes, and our food and our beds
and our towels
and anything else
they might need.
Hurry up!
Your house is amazing.
Oh, thanks.
I'm glad you like it.
Joe.
Yeah.
Yeah, I built it as a surprise
for my wife, but...
she doesn't like it.
Thinks it's too grand.
Wow.
Ok, here, I've got
some clothes for you.
The bathrooms have shampoo
and soap, anything you need.
Just help yourself, ok?
Yeah.
Thank you.
Uh huh.
And uh, sorry to
inconvenience you,
especially during
Christmas time.
Oh, it's fine.
I gave him your brown sweater,
I hope that's ok.
Sure.
I'm gonna make some waffles.
Ok.
Oooh, breakfast is ready.
Perfect timing.
Well, you're feeling
a bit better,
a little less frozen?
I can't tell you how much.
I couldn't feel my feet
when we first arrived.
We only dressed and packed
for a day of skiing,
so we threw on every blanket
and rag we had in the van.
I had a towel around my neck
under my hoodie.
A good look for you.
The brother and sister
actually like each other.
I'd like you more if you
looked like that.
Why don't the two of you
join us at the table?
Thanks.
Why don't you have any
decorations on your tree?
We forgot the ornaments
at home.
But it looks pretty
with just the lights.
Uh, no.
It looks naked, sad,
lonely and depressed.
Then let's make some
ornaments for the poor thing.
With what?
We could start with stringing
these together.
Any chance you have popcorn?
Yeah, I can check the pantry.
Come on.
We could uh... we could make
sugar cookie ornaments.
Yes! Yes!
Yes!
We're making Christmas
ornaments!
[Christmas tunes]
♪ Snow problem,
♪ snow worries.
♪ In the forecast
there'll be flurries. ♪
♪ We'll be surrounded
by mountains of white. ♪
♪
♪ Snow issue,
♪ snow reason.
♪ Snow question,
'tis the season. ♪
♪ When everything gets
so festive and bright. ♪
♪
♪ Let's get snowed
in together, ♪
♪ let the cold winds blow.
♪ Let's blame it on
the weather. ♪
♪ Bring on the snow...
After we finished making
the decorations,
Jennifer, Alexander and I
agreed to share our gifts with the Tuckers
so they wouldn't feel left out.
You guys, I have
a great idea.
We should change the tags
and give them to the Tuckers.
What do you think?
Yeah, ok.
Yeah, let's do it.
♪
Mom helped us change
the gift tags.
Robbie got the t-shirt
Alexander asked for,
and Lucie got the necklace that matched Jennifer's earrings.
When Robbie opened his gift,
Alexander was actually
happy for him,
even though he really
wanted that t-shirt.
I consider this a
Christmas miracle.
♪
It's so pretty!
Aww.
Look at the Christmas tree!
Look!
Mom, mom!
I forgot something!
I'll be right back.
Ok.
Did she really bring it?
I'm afraid she did.
[Text message alert]
Either way, it's...
you know...
It looks good.
[Chorus of agreement]
How am I going to get
the angel on top of the tree?
Oh, don't look at me,
I can't get up there.
You know what?
I think I can help you.
Oh, thank you.
There it goes.
[Applause]
It's beautiful!
So pretty.
Good job.
Ok. Alright, well
it is a tradition in our family
that on Christmas Eve,
each kid gets to open
one gift.
And I'd like to share that
tradition with you.
Alright?
For me?
Yes.
It was during that cold,
snowy night
that I finally started
to understand
what the spirit of giving
is all about.
[Christmas music]
♪ Santa bringing
Christmas wishes ♪
♪ to all children...
So cute!
♪
Our gift exchange was
the most fun ever.
♪
[Piano music]
[Piano music]
That was beautiful.
I wish I could play
an instrument.
It's not that hard.
Here, let me show you.
Really, two chords.
This-
Ok.
And this.
Alright.
[piano playing]
See?
It's not that hard.
How'd you learn how to play?
I was in music class
at school.
Maybe I should have taken
music or singing
instead of public speaking.
Please, you hurt my ears
enough as it is,
thank you very much.
Ha ha, very funny.
Alexander, I've heard
Jennifer sing in the shower.
She sings good.
Well.
I sing well.
For a seminar we had to pick
a topic for independent study,
so I chose common
grammar mistakes.
I made a blog about it.
Yeah, she's got three
whole followers.
One of them is our mom.
I have 38 followers and
I only started last week.
That's awesome, Jennifer.
I'll follow you.
So make that 39 followers.
Did you know that correct
grammar can save lives?
For example, "let's eat
grandma" basically
means let's cannibalize grandma,
can be changed
with the addition of a single
comma to "let's eat, grandma".
Now it means that grandma
is invited
to share a meal with them.
Yeah, I had Mrs. Donnelly
for english, too.
She's been using the same
example for about 50 years now.
Why are you always trying
to put me down?
That's what big brothers
are for.
Not in my house.
Thanks, sis.
Hey, Robbie!
What's up?
Who wants to play Monopoly?
[All]: I do!
Me!
Yeah, ok.
Dad, when we played last
week we took all your money
and hotels, leaving
you dirt poor.
That's because I love you
kids and I let you win.
[Scoffs]
Yeah, right, dad.
Teach these kids some respect.
Game on.
I get to be the car.
You can be the cat and you
can be the thimble.
I'll be the race car.
Let's do it.
Ok, I'm ready.
Yeah.
We're gonna have so much
fun.
I hate to brag, but I have
a knack for Monopoly.
I'm really good at
collecting rent,
so basically I dominated.
Whenever I asked my dad why he's not paying attention to us
he says he's multi-tasking.
Dad was multi-tasking
a lot this Christmas.
No, no.
That's not what
we agreed on.
Woah!
Hey, there.
Hmm?
Oh.
I thought you could use
some company.
Yeah, sure.
Oh, thank you.
Have a seat.
Thanks.
You know, Joe, he's
so good with the kids.
Yes, he is.
Joe was a high school teacher
with a passion for US history.
He believed kids should have
one eye open to the past
and one eye open to the future.
What about you?
I was a nurse.
I loved my patients.
Was?
Hmm.
I said "was", didn't I?
Interesting.
Making some life changes?
Let's just say some changes
have recently been made.
Hmm.
How about you?
Oh, I was a fashion editor
before I got married.
Oh.
Yeah.
I had this great job
in New York.
It didn't pay well, I was
poorer than a church mouse,
but I really loved my work.
And then Charles came along
and swept me off my feet
and I gave it all up for him.
Oh.
I used to say it was the best
decision I ever made.
Used to say?
Don't get me wrong, I love
my kids, it's just that...
just things haven't been
very good between us
for a very long time.
I understand he designed
this house
and had it built as a surprise
for you and the kids.
I wouldn't say it was
a surprise.
It certainly isn't for me
and the kids.
It's all for business.
He's going to bring clients
here and impress them and...
it's all for show.
Sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm venting all
my personal problems on you.
I'm happy to listen.
I'm... I'm here for you.
Thank you.
Thanks for the tea.
So tell me more about you.
Where should I begin?
Um...
Joe and I met in college,
and then after that
we traveled and finally
settled down...
Take John Adams and his son,
for example.
They would write these long,
beautifully composed letters
to one another.
Even though they knew letters
may take months
to be delivered,
as when happened when
Adams was in Europe.
But nowadays,
how do fathers
and sons communicate?
Well, sure, a father can get
a text in lightening speed,
but all it will say is something
like "hey dad, what's up?"
It probably wouldn't
even have the "hey, dad".
It'd probably just say
"what's up?"
Yeah, so dad makes me write
him letters now.
Mmmhmm.
And he writes beautiful letters.
Mmmhmm.
I just copy them out of
the John Adams files.
I never thought I'd see the
day where our kids were
having about John Adams.
Maybe we should start having
more conversations
with our children.
And now, he composes
these thoughtful letters about
issues in his life.
Like how to get his female
fans to give him some space.
She's making it up.
I'm not.
Girls text him day and night.
He puts a picture
on Instagram
and he gets 400 likes
in half an hour.
Definitely not true.
I bet it is.
You're so hot.
[laughs]
You must have that problem
too, Alexander.
Too many female admirers?
Well...
No, he doesn't have
any girl admirers.
He's socially awkward.
Shut up!
Ow!
[Laughs]
You sure use a lot
of big words for a little girl.
I do.
I'm gifted.
I try to add a new word to
my vocabulary every day.
Yesterday I learned
the word "iatrogenic".
It means when the side
effects of the cure are worse
than the symptoms of
the disease.
Wow.
You're the kind of girls I like.
Brains and beauty.
Stop.
Look, man, I'm sorry my sisters
have glommed to you all day.
You don't have to be so nice
to them, you know.
You're just going to
encourage them.
What're you talking about?
They're cool.
[Crashing noise outside]
The storm is knocking
trees down.
One of them almost hit
the house.
Is our house gonna rip apart?
I'm scared.
Don't you worry, honey.
They way your dad
built this house,
it'll handle anything
that storm will throw at us.
Really?
I promise.
[wind howling]
Ok, come on up here.
[text sound]
Look at that.
So we're not allowed to be
online or on the cell phones,
and look at him down there,
just glued to it.
It's ridiculous.
Come on, let's go over here.
Ok, this is what I've chosen
for my seminar project.
Ok, this guy right here is
the infamous Humboldt squid,
also known as "diablo rojo",
which in Spanish means
"the red devil".
They have dozens of
tentacles with these
tiny little teeth coming
out the end.
There have been tales
of Mexican fishermen
being pulled from their boats
to the bottom of the ocean
and ripped apart by a g*ng
of these beasts.
Could you imagine that?
One minute you're a fisherman
sitting in your boat,
minding your own business,
and the next minute you're
at the bottom of the ocean.
You are being ripped apart
by those tiny little
teeth right there.
How can you be obsessed
by such horrible creatures?
No, no, no.
I'm not obsessed,
I had to pick a topic
for my research project.
You know the deal,
it was the deadline and I had
nothing to show for it
so I pick up a random
nature book,
flip to a page,
and there it is.
The Humboldt squid.
Not so different from us,
though.
Those fishermen.
What, that we don't get
eaten by squid?
No, I mean the "one
minute you're here,
one minute you're not" part.
Um... so what's your thing?
My thing?
Yeah.
Yeah, your thing.
If you had to pick a seminar
topic, what would it be?
Well, I'd never make it
to a seminar,
but if I did I think I'd
have to say... cookies.
Cookies?
I bake everything.
Cakes, pies, brownies.
Pretty much anything where
the main ingredients are
sugar and butter.
[Laughs]
Cool.
Can you think of a better
subject worthy of research?
No, no.
Actually, no I can't, that
sounds pretty awesome.
Here, let me show you a
couple more of these guys.
Malaise.
M-A-L-A-I-S-E.
M is a double letter,
plus the triple word score.
That's 36 points.
I win.
I've never heard of that
word before,
but I'm gonna take
your word for it.
It's a real word.
It means a vague sense of
things not being right.
Like how we feel when we look
out the window at the storm?
Yeah, you could say that.
So how old are you again?
I'm almost 15.
Yeah.
You act way older.
Robbie!
Guess what.
I can name all the presidents
in order.
You can?
Yes, I can.
Robbie, I wouldn't do that
if I were you.
Next she's gonna name all
the rivers in North America.
Can I recite them for you?
Sure.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Washington, Adams,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe,
John Quincey Adams, Jackson,
Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler,
Polk, Taylor, Fillmore,
Pierce, Buchanan,
Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes,
Garfield, Chester A. Arthur,
Cleveland, Harrison Cleveland,
Harrison, McKinley,
Teddy Roosevelt,
Taft, Wilson, Harding,
Coolidge, Hoover,
Roosevelt, Truman,
Eisenhower, Kennedy,
Johnson, Nixon, Ford,
Carter, Reagan, Bush,
Clinton, Bush, Obama.
Good job!
Daddy, daddy!
Did you see that?
I got them all right,
and in order!
Good for you, honey.
Just- just a minute.
[sighs]
Emily.
Smile!
I want one of you this time!
Look this way! Smile!
Three, two, one!
Alright, Lucie!
[Camera shutter]
[Camera shutter]
[wind howling]
[Laughing]
Come on, everybody!
It's time!
Time for what?
Time to put our Christmas
stockings up, of course.
Oh, come on, everyone.
Let's go.
Come on, hurry, hurry, hurry!
We're coming!
Putting up the Christmas
stockings
is a Montgomery family tradition
every Christmas Eve.
I'll share mine with you,
Robbie.
Alexander, you share yours
with Lucie.
Ok.
Oh, we better put in a note
so that Santa doesn't
get confused.
Good idea.
Let's do it.
Ok.
Those look great.
Wow.
So pretty.
It looks great.
Good job, guys.
I have one more thing
in the bag.
I made this one
for baby Bella.
Oh, honey.
Thank you for remembering
Bella this Christmas.
Such a sweet stocking.
Baby Bella?
She's my little sister.
She's in heaven now.
We lost her three years ago.
I'm so sorry.
She had blonde hair and blue
eyes and rosy cheeks.
She looked like Cinderella.
I'm sure she was
very beautiful.
I have pictures of her
if you want to see them.
Sure, we'd love to.
This is her when she was
only one month old.
And this is her first bath.
Oh, and this is when Alexander made her taste a pickle.
She hated it.
this is Emily holding her.
She was a really good baby.
She hardly ever cried.
As opposed to Emily,
who cried non-stop.
I was a diva baby.
Oh, and this was just
after Bella was born
and mom was carrying her
out of the hospital.
You weren't in any of
the photos, dad.
How come?
He was probably at work.
No, I wasn't at work.
I wasn't in the photos because
I took most of the photos.
Dad?
Yeah, Jen?
The Tuckers want us to do
something that they do.
A Christmas tradition.
Ok, honey.
I'll uh... I'll be right there.
Ok.
Now that we're all here...
It's called "Passing
the Christmas Candle".
It's a tradition passed down
by my great grandmother and we-
well, we do it every Christmas.
How do you play?
Well, it's not a game,
Emily.
It's a chance for you to say
what it is you're grateful for.
We pass around the candle
and when it's your turn
you say a little something.
You know, what
your goals are,
what you're thankful for.
Something like that.
Yeah.
Ok?
I'll go first.
You know, they say that
the best gift
a father can give
to his children
is to love their mother.
Well, I want to thank you, Amy,
for making that so easy.
And every day I've spent
with you
has been a little bit of heaven.
I'm sure there are days that
I haven't treasured
as much as I should
have, though.
You know, if I could give
you all one bit of advice,
it would be to treasure each
moment that life gives you,
because each moment
is just so precious.
Alright.
I want to say that I'm thankful
for the Montgomery family
for taking us in.
For making it so much fun
to be snowbound.
Alexander, Jennifer, Emily.
I've only known you guys
for a short time
but it already feels like
we're best friends.
I'll never forget you.
Mom?
I, too, am thankful
we had the chance
to meet the Montgomerys.
Not just because they gave
us shelter,
but I do feel like we're already
old friends
because you gave us
the opportunity
to feel the Christmas spirit.
I want to thank them
for being so good to us.
Their generosity is something
you don't see very often.
Life goes quickly but
kindness lasts forever.
Ok, well um...
I'm not really used to doing
things like this
so I guess I'll just say
that I'm grateful
the blizzard hasn't k*lled
us all yet.
I am thankful for
the Humboldt squid.
Well, I am thankful for
the delicious cookies
Lucie's going to bake
for us tomorrow.
I wanna help bake them!
You can also go next.
I am thankful that
my mommy made
her homemade buttermilk waffles
this morning,
and I'm also thankful
that the Tuckers came
so we could see what a family
that really loves
each other is like.
Daddy, your turn.
Ok, uh...
I'm thankful for...
Ok, I'm thankful
for the fact that business
has been good this year
and if things continue
in a positive direction,
and that's a big if,
we'll get through this
and I'll have a successful year.
Excuse me, I'm going to go
lay down.
[Knock at the door]
Judith?
May I come in?
I just wanted to make sure
you were ok.
[Sighs]
He grew up in a family where
there was no communication.
You know, his mother went
to his father
and asked him if he loved her.
And he said "I told you I loved
you the day we got married.
If anything changes
I'll let you know."
That's no excuse, is it?
To shut out your family?
To talk about business
when he had a
perfect opportunity
to say something nice
about me and the kids?
He thinks the way to make me
happy is to throw things at me,
like jewelry and houses...
cars.
I don't want any of that.
None of that makes me happy.
All I want
is for him to look at me the
same way Joe looks at you.
This may sound sappy, so
I apologize ahead of time,
but sometimes it's
the hardest roads
that lead to the best places.
That does sound sappy.
[Gasps]
What- what happened?
I don't know.
Hold on.
Ok, alright.
Come on.
Charles, what happened?
The storm has knocked out
the power,
but don't worry, we have
a back-up generator.
How are we gonna bake
cookies tomorrow
if the electricity is off?
Well, when the electricity
comes back on you can make
all the cookies you want.
How long until the generator
turns on?
The guy that put it in told
me it should take five seconds.
Five elephants, four
elephants, three elephants,
two elephants, one elephant.
I don't understand.
It should have been on
right away.
That's way more than
five elephants.
It's ok, honey.
It's alright.
It's out in the shed.
Alright, let's go take
a look, ok?
Ok.
Come here.
Don't worry, hun.
I'm going with you guys.
Jennifer, stay with your sister.
I'm gonna go get
some flashlights.
I'll go find more candles.
[dramatic music]
Woah.
Help him up.
Joe?
Joe!
[dramatic music]
Straight ahead.
[dramatic music]
Alright, check the fuel.
It's full, Joe.
It's full.
Alright, so we got fuel,
we have air, we got a spark.
There's no reason
it shouldn't work.
That's right, Joe.
There's no reason.
There's no reason AT ALL!
Woah, Charles.
Charles?
Charles!
[dramatic music]
I'm gonna sue.
That was a waste of money,
that generator.
If they find us all dead,
frozen on this floor,
I'm suing that company.
It'll be pretty hard to sue
them when you're dead.
Are we gonna freeze
to death?
Oh, no, honey.
Don't worry.
Everything's gonna be fine.
Don't worry.
No one's gonna freeze
to death, ok?
We'll all camp around
the fireplace and stay warm.
Like a big slumber party!
Yeah. Kids, why don't you go
to your rooms
and get some pillows and
blankets and stuffed animals,
whatever you want, alright?
Go get it now.
Ok.
Unbelievable.
[Loud thumping noise]
[Gasps]
What was that?!
Sounds like the shingles
are blowing off your roof.
[Door crashes open]
[Gasps]
Joe! Joe!
[Grunting]
[wind fiercely howling]
Thanks, Joe.
Sometimes my friends and I,
we play this game
when we meet new people.
We ask them to describe
themselves with one word.
So let me ask you,
what one word would you
use to describe yourself?
Oh, um... you go first.
Chill.
Like laid-back chill?
Yeah.
Ok.
Um, I got three words
coming to mind,
I can't figure out
which one to use.
What are the three?
Ok, uh, well there's fantastic,
there's magnificent,
unbelievable is one.
[Laughs]
Robbie! Robbie!
I have a question.
What's your question?
Will you take me to my prom?
[Laughs]
What?
I'm serious.
That's at least seven
years away.
So?
So I doubt you'll still want
me to take you in seven years.
I have a feeling you will
have changed your mind by then.
I'll never change my mind.
I know I won't.
Please, please promise me?
The thing is,
I can't make promises I
might not be able to keep.
Why won't you be able
to keep it?
Why?
Let me put it this way.
I would if I could.
I mean that.
You mean you will
if you can?
[Laughs]
Ok, I will if I can.
Well, then I want you to take me
to my prom, too.
[Laughs]
Alright.
I never want this blizzard
to end.
Why?
'Cause I don't want
the Tuckers to leave.
I don't want them to leave,
either.
Aww, she's even more adorable
when she's asleep.
Thank you.
So um... can you tell us
how you two met?
[Laughs]
Wow.
Well, I remember that like
it was yesterday.
[Laughs]
It was fall semester
my senior year.
I saw this vision walking across
the quad and she was wearing
a white dress, and
the sun was setting
and there was this soft light
around her.
And as she walked by I said
"hey, beautiful.
What are you doing for
the rest of your life?"
What'd you say back?
Oh, well, I turned to him
and I looked over
my shoulder and I said
"spending it with you,
obviously."
Just like that.
I bet you wouldn't remember
what I was wearing
the first day we met,
not in a million years.
[Loud cracking]
What's that?
What's that?
It looks big and scary.
It looks like the trees
are gonna break in two.
[wind howling]
Oh my gosh.
Don't worry.
They said it was the worst
storm in years.
Judith?
What?
Are you ok?
I have a horrible headache
and you said there's Aspirin.
Where is it?
I'm sorry about Christmas
and the way this is all going.
It's not what I had planned.
This storm and the power.
Honey, you have to understand,
I am under so much pressure
right now
and every time I speak to Ben
about business-
Oh, Charles.
Do you know where
the Aspirin is, or not?
Can we talk?
About business?
No thank you.
No, no.
About us.
Every time I talk to you,
you don't listen.
And when you do listen,
you don't hear anything I say.
Well, just- ok, what am
I not hearing?
Where do I begin?
Just be- just begin.
[Phone vibrating]
Are you kidding me?
It's the middle of the night!
Ben is- Ben is dealing
with the Japanese,
it's morning there.
I just need to run a few numbers
before the negotiation and-
No!
It'll take one minute.
I said no.
The only talking I want
to do is right now.
I want you to listen to me.
As soon as this blizzard is
over and the Tuckers leave,
I'm hiring a car
and I'm taking
the kids home without you.
I mean it.
So where should I go?
Why don't you ask Ben?
[sobbing softly]
[Wind howling]
[Wind howling]
[Wind howling]
[Wind howling]
[Cracking]
[intense dramatic music]
Wake up!
Finally, we've got power.
Way to go, dad.
Dad?
Hey mom, where's dad?
I don't know.
I want to make chocolate chip, how about you?
Well, let's look for him.
Check upstairs, ok?
I'll go this way.
I think that sounds like
a good plan.
Yeah, I couldn't find him
up here.
Yeah, I know.
I couldn't find him, either.
Let's go down this way.
Ok.
[fierce wind]
Oh my god, dad!
Come on, guys! Come quick!
Dad's had an accident!
What?
Where is he?!
Where?!
Go!
Stay in here.
Stay in here.
Dad!
Charles!
Dad, are you ok?
Charles!
Oh my gosh,
someone help!
Charles!
Help me!
Lift!
Get it off!
I can't lift it!
Get him out!
Here, help me.
♪
Come on.
We gotta get him inside.
♪
Come on.
That's it.
I got you.
Help me out.
Get him in!
♪
Come on, get him
to the couch.
We've got to get
some blankets.
Come on!
Come on, careful.
On the couch,
on the couch.
Let him down gentle.
Gently, gently.
I got him, I got him.
Easy with his neck.
Got him.
Daddy!
Daddy, wake up!
Daddy!
Pupils aren't dilated,
that's a good sign.
I'm not feeling any swelling,
his breathing isn't obstructed.
I think his neck is fine.
Is he going to be ok?
There's a chance that he may
have a concussion,
but we won't know
until he's fully awake.
Symptoms include headache,
nausea, dizziness
and difficulty concentrating.
We should get him
to a hospital.
No, no, not in
these conditions.
The hospital is twenty miles
away, we'll never get there.
The roads will be closed.
We should move him
to your bedroom.
Ok, alright.
[Sobbing]
Emily?
Are you ok?
Kinda scared about your dad,
aren't you?
I'm afraid he's gonna die.
Your dad is gonna be fine.
How do you know?
I said a prayer for him.
And my mom's a nurse,
she'll take good care of him.
I wish you could be my sister.
I can be.
We can be soul sisters.
Here, give me your pinky.
Soul sisters forever.
[Knocking]
How is he?
Oh, I just wish he'd
wake up.
I'm just going to check
on him.
Still not dilated.
That's good.
People can be unconscious
for hours,
then wake up and be
perfectly fine.
Don't worry.
Joe and I are here
for you.
Shout if you
need anything.
Ok.
[Sobbing]
It's ok.
Your dad's gonna be fine.
How do you know that?
I just know.
When you think about it,
yesterday we were
all just strangers.
Charles?
What happened to me?
You had a little accident.
The lights are on.
Yeah.
I guess the generator
must have kicked in.
Amy thinks you have a
concussion, so be careful.
I just remember lying out there,
thinking about you
and the kids.
Why were you out
in the storm?
Because of what
you said earlier.
I was thinking
about you leaving.
Nothing's changed.
Judith...
the real-
[Knocking]
Daddy, daddy, daddy!
You're awake!
Be careful, honey.
Hi.
We're glad you're not dead.
So am I.
Alexander was actually
the one that noticed
you were missing
and he found you.
He saved your life.
Then I owe you, son.
It was nothing.
No, I'd say it's about as big
a deal as they come.
I'm gonna go get some water.
Oh.
We're really glad
that you're gonna be ok.
Thanks.
Hey, sit down.
Come on.
Now listen to me.
I realize I have not been
very good at communicating
with you kids.
That means telling you
how I feel.
And I should be telling you
every single day
just how much I love you.
Each one of you.
So I'm going to make you
a promise.
I promise to change.
To be a better dad.
You haven't been horrible.
I mean, you've given us
a feeling of malaise
once in a while,
but that's not so bad.
Well, I'm promising you
that I will change,
and I'm going to start today.
Now come in here and give
your dad a hug.
Oh no!
Oooh!
[Giggling]
Get off me!
♪
♪
Guys, it's sunny
and it's Christmas!
Come on, come on!
The sun's out!
Come on, come on!
It's Christmas!
Hurry up!
Look, look, look, look!!!!!!
Come on!
♪
You're right, Emily.
The storm is over.
Finally.
Well, what are you kids doing
just standing here?
Go put on your snow clothes
and get out there
and have some fun.
Alright!
♪
Oh, mom!
Mom!
Aww.
Merry Christmas, mommy!
Merry Christmas!
Mommy, I've been thinking.
I don't think we should
open our presents
in front of the Tuckers,
do you?
Aww, that's so thoughtful
of you, sweetheart.
Yeah, I don't think so either.
Let's wait 'till
after they leave.
Plus, it doesn't look
like anybody
wants to open any presents
right now, anyway.
Aww, I love you.
Mommy, I'm going to
go get dressed
and play with the other
kids outside.
[Laughing]
♪
Hey, hey Robbie!
[Squeals]
Hey, guys.
I have made hot chocolate
and lots of snacks,
they'll be on the counter
in the kitchen
when you're ready to
come and get them.
Whoo!
Come on, join us!
Snow angels!
Snow angels, everybody!
♪
One, two, three!
♪
You're up.
It looks like Emily finally
got to make her snow angels.
Yes.
Hey, Robbie.
Let's take a selfie.
Alright, let's do it.
Just give me a second.
There we go.
Wow, they're beautiful
snow angels.
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven.
Yeah, I like yours.
I like yours.
[Squeals]
Nice.
Got it.
Alright.
Awesome.
Ok, you know what guys?
I don't know about you,
but I'm cold.
I'm going inside to get warm.
No, no, no!
Oh my gosh!
[laughter]
[laughter]
What are you doing
out of bed?
Excuse me.
Your wife gave me
the all clear.
Alright.
[Squealing]
I just wanted to thank you
for helping out
with my family
while I was down.
Yeah, well, you know,
I'm glad I could do it.
But you're looking good, so
we should probably get going.
Robbie.
Lucie.
Time for us to go, kids.
No!
Don't go!
No, no, no!
Don't go!
Don't leave us!
Were you planning on having
us live with you forever?
Yes, if you could.
You know what,
it's time for us
to get out of your
parent's hair.
My parents love you
in their hair.
Don't you, dad?
Listen.
See, the thing is, Emily,
you know what they say
about fish and visitors?
No, what?
Em, I think the Tuckers
want to go skiing
and the conditions
are perfect today.
Yeah.
Dad, do we have to go?
We've imposed on the
Montgomerys long enough.
Just-
Daddy, daddy, no.
I don't want them to go.
It's time for us to move on,
kids.
You know what I mean,
right?
Ok.
Joe?
Can I see you for a sec?
Honey, go play
with the kids.
Hey, it's ok.
Joe, I wondered if
I could ask a favour.
Yeah, go ahead.
You name it.
I wondered if uh...
you might consider staying
one more day.
It would be a great help
to me.
How would that help?
Judith has told me that once
you and the family go,
she's leaving.
With the kids, and she
doesn't want me to come.
I just think if you could
stay one more day
I might have a chance
to change things.
Just one day, Joe.
What do you say?
Yeah.
Yeah, I think I can
help you with that.
Thank you, Joe.
Robbie, Lucie.
Never mind, we're gonna
stay another day.
Yeah!
Yes!
Yay!
Ok!
Thank you, Joe.
I'm gonna take a walk.
Just uh, not to far, huh?
Alright.
I'll keep my head up.
Hey, Charles?
Yeah, Joe?
Enjoy your life.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Where were you?
I was starting to get worried.
I just took a walk
up to the road.
I had to think.
Judith...
did you really mean it
the other night?
When you said that you wished
we could live in our little
house on Waverly again?
Yes.
You know, I've always worked
so hard to try to provide
you and the kids
with everything.
Everything you need.
Everything you deserve.
When are you gonna get it?
I don't want money,
I don't want big houses,
I don't want fancy cars.
I didn't marry you
for what you had.
I married you for
who you were.
Who was I?
A guy that made me laugh
so hard my stomach hurt.
I haven't seen that guy
for a long time.
Neither have I.
There's something that
I have to tell you.
The reason I went out
in that storm last night
was to get something
out of the car.
Something I just had to have.
And hold in my hand.
I don't know why, it was
as if my life depended on it.
What are you talking about?
That's the only picture that
I have of just Bella and me,
and I keep it with me.
And I take it wherever I go.
Judith, the night Bella d*ed,
I didn't check on her.
It's my fault.
No-
It was my turn that night
and I didn't go in, Judith.
What?
No- I think-
I didn't go in and I think
her blanket was too high
or she turned-
Come here.
Or something.
And I know if I had gone
in I would have seen it.
Don't you remember
what the doctor said?
She d*ed early
in the morning.
It doesn't matter-
No, I could have saved her-
It wouldn't have
changed anything-
I could have saved her.
You can't talk like that.
I miss her so much.
You have no idea how much
you mean to me.
And it's not your fault
because I never tell you.
A red dress, a silver belt,
and long silver earrings.
What?
A red dress, a silver belt,
and long silver earrings.
That's what you were wearing
the night that we met.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Mom, dad, thanks for letting
the Christmas tree
have dinner with us.
[Laughing]
That's so cute.
Judith, this has been one of
the nicest Christmas dinners
I can remember.
Thank you so much.
Aww, we have loved
having you here.
We sure have.
And listen, I- Joe,
I was wondering...
can I have a second chance
at the passing of
the Christmas Candle?
Dad, it's "may I have
a second chance?"
Absolutely, Charles.
You may have a second chance.
Alright, now pay close
attention everyone,
because I know that this
is gonna be really good.
No pressure, Charles.
[Laughs]
Well, first of all, I'm thankful
that we met the Tucker family,
who came to our door
needing our help
but showed us, through their
love and respect for each other,
that it might have just been our
family that needed their help.
And I'm especially thankful
that they agreed to stay
an extra day.
I'm thankful for my children.
My magnificent, marvelous kids,
who ask nothing more from me
for their unconditional love
and that I offer them
some guidance
and pay some attention
to their lives.
I love you.
I appreciate you.
Each of you.
And Judith, you are the love
of my life.
I've always loved you
and I always will
and I'm going to try very hard
to be the guy that
makes you laugh,
like you said, so hard your
stomach hurt.
I love you.
That's what I'm thankful for.
That, and whoever
invented dessert.
[Laughs]
Dad's toast was perfect.
It made us all feel
really good.
And as I looked around
the table
at everyone
laughing and talking,
I started thinking that
maybe we were going to be
like the Tuckers after all.
A family that really loved
each other.
Well, so we're all set.
The kids are waiting outside,
so I guess...
I guess that's it.
If you just wait a couple hours
the ploughs will have
the roads cleared, and...
Charles, we'll be fine.
Really.
You sure he knows
which way to go?
Why don't you lead?
[Laughs]
Thank you so much
again for taking us in.
Aww, thank you for bringing
the Christmas spirit
into our home.
I hope we see you again.
[Simultaneous]
Absolutely.
Aww.
Thanks, Joe.
Thank you.
Alright.
Bye, Amy.
We'll walk you out.
Bye.
I'm going to miss you guys!
We're gonna miss you, too.
We're gonna miss you.
♪
♪
Bye, guys.
Bye.
♪
Bye.
Come on.
♪
Judith, what were we thinking?
We should have never
let them go.
I've got to check on them.
I'm coming with you!
Yeah, me too!
Can I come, daddy?
If you're going,
we're all going!
Alright, let's grab
our snow gear.
What is that?
I don't know.
What's going on?
A family we all knew around
here d*ed in the blizzard.
We're having a memorial
in their favourite spot.
Oh.
What happened?
Their van went off the road.
They didn't stand a chance.
The Tuckers.
They visited our community
so often,
they really became part of
the local family.
Probably one of the best
families that I ever had
the privilege of knowing.
Daddy, that's the Tuckers.
No.
No, no, wait, wait,
there's been a mistake.
The Tuckers were with us
an hour ago.
If that were only the case.
It is the case.
This is crazy!
They were with us through
the whole blizzard.
They're fine.
They told us that their van
went off the road,
they came to our door.
That's not possible, I helped
pull the bodies
out of the wreckage.
I've known the Tuckers
for 15 years.
It was them.
There's no mistake.
There is a mistake.
We were with them
just an hour ago.
Look, no.
I can prove it to you.
I took a picture with Robbie
myself just yesterday.
What's the matter, honey?
He's not there.
Robbie's not there.
This can't be happening.
Kids, let's go home.
Let's go home.
Thank you.
Yeah. No problem.
Take care.
Mommy, is it possible
that that was the Tuckers?
No.
Not at all.
There you go, sweetie.
Judith, you ok?
It just doesn't make sense.
They were with us
the whole time.
We weren't imagining it.
You guys, look.
What?
There are only
three snow angels.
Jennifer's, mine,
and Alexander's.
The ones that the Tuckers made
aren't there.
And I know why.
Why, Emily?
Because they were real angels.
I prayed that you and daddy
wouldn't get a divorce
and they came.
It all made sense.
The Tuckers arriving
after I prayed for help.
Lucie saying we could be
soul sisters.
Robbie not wanting to make
promises he couldn't keep.
Robbie missing
from the photo.
And the Tuckers' snow angels disappearing.
[Phone rings]
I don't need this.
Yes, daddy!
♪
Thank you.
Wow.
This was the best Christmas
anyone could ask for.
♪
And my little sister,
Baby Bella,
we could feel she
was here with us.
♪
I will remember this Christmas for ever and ever.
And ever.
Angels in the Snow (2015)
Moderator: Maskath3