Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, The (2007)

[bunniefuu]

[gentle music]

[frog croaking]

[horse snorts]

[box latch clicking]

[slow music]

[baby cooing]

[gentle music]

[crow cawing]

[bells jingling]

[Christmas music]

[singing, inaudible]

[indistinct chatter]

[glasses clank]

[inaudible]

-[indistinct]
-[gasps, chuckles]

[gentle music]

[man]
No running.

[inaudible]

The Kings.

This is Mary and Baby Jesus.

Joseph.

There we are.

[inaudible]

[people speaking indistinctly]

[ethereal music]

[fanfare drum pounding
in the background]

[door opens]

[liquid bubbling]

No, you don't. [unintelligible]

Just one.

Now, can you tell me
what this is?

-Papier-mâché.
-And what is it doing
in the back of my cupboard?

We were doing at school,
so I thought I'd try it at home.

[unintelligible]

It's not supposed
to be like that.

I was going to ask mother
to help, but she wasn't here.

[Mary]
Well, she has a lot to do.

When men go off to w*r,
it's the women
who are responsible

for keeping the wheels turning
back at home.

It's just sometimes...

I'll tell you what.

When I was a young lass,

I had a bit of an interest
in stuff like papier-mâché.

-Did you?
-I did. So would you like
to have a go at making

-a couple of masks
or something, this weekend?
-That would be really great.

Mary, have you seen
Sunday's newspaper?

I can't seem
to find it anywhere.

I'm sorry. I haven't.

How many times
have I told you not to leave
your coat on the chair?

Sorry.

And no more cookies.
You'll spoil your appetite.

Mary, you should know better.

Hang your coat up properly.

And...

...one more thing.

Your father
has sent you a letter.

[grunts]

[birds chirping]

[glass clinking]

[wind blowing]

[leaves rustling]

[gentle music]

[James]
Well, Thomas...

...how are things with you?

School going well?

Mama writes me to say
you did well in your exams.
That's good.

Keep it up. I'm proud of you.

It's not so bad here.

People sound a little odd.

I'm with a great bunch of guys.

So things could be worse.

With any luck, we'll have
this whole business sorted out

and be back home before
anybody really misses this.

[thunder rumbling]

[inaudible]

[sad music]

[James]
Oh-oh. I got to go.

Your uncle tells me
that there's a...

...there's a baseball game
going on.

They need a pitcher.

Look after your mother for me.

Keep Mrs. Hickey on her toes.

I'll be back soon.

I promise.

[pen clanking]

Write to me
when you get the chance.

And don't leave your coat
laying on chairs
when you get in.

It drives your mama crazy.

All my love,

Bubba.

[blows]

[Mary]
You could tell him about
the Thanksgiving Day parade.

-Done that.
-Oh.

I'm telling him
what great cookies you make.

[Mary]
Thank you.
It's not difficult.

Mother can't do it.

[Mary]
Well, she does other things.

Things that I can't do.

What sort of things?

[Mary]
Running the
community volunteers.

Helping out with the business,

organizing the house.

But her cooking's is really bad.

-[Mary] You're not writing
that to your father, are you?
-No.

I'm telling him
when I have the whole set,

I'm gonna send him
my baseball cards.

That's nice.

[light gentle music]

[snorting]

-[groans]
-Would you like to see

-my card collection,
Grandfather?
-Hmm?

Oh. [clears throat]

[sighs, groans] what sort of...
cards have you got, hmm?

Well, you have a full set.

I need one more.

Charles has got two
of the one I want,

but he only wants to swap it
for this one.

If I can get another one,

I'll swap it with a spare,
and then I'll have the set.

-Oh!
-If I get the whole set,
I'm gonna send them to Bubba.

He'll like to have them.

Why didn't we go
to the game last weekend?

Oh, I'm sorry, Thomas. I...

Well, I had to work
at the office.

Oh, you're always working now.

That's only until
your pop comes home,

then he can take over again.

Can we go to the game next week?

Absolutely.

Promise?

Promise.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Did you finish your letter?

Not yet.

I'll do it tomorrow.

Why is Grandpa always tired?

He's having to work long hours.

It's not easy at his age.

Why?

Well... it's a difficult time.

It's a difficult time
for everyone.

-Why?
-[scoffs] I don't know.
It just is.

[sighs]

You ask so many questions.

Good night.

Good night.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[slow music]

[soldiers screams]

[birds chirping]

[door opens in distance]

[Susan]
No.

[door closes]

[suspenseful music]

[moans softly]

[muffled conversation]

[indistinct conversation]

Bubba?

[suspenseful music intensifies]

[toys clatter]

[sobbing]

[clock ticking]

[door creaks]

[door closes]

[knocks on door]

[crow cawing]

Ah.

Mr. Toomey. I...

...brought the new lease.

[clears throat]

[door creaks]

I've been...

...meaning to ask you...

...if you would consider
making a couple
of picture frames for me?

I was, uh, wondering
if you'd make a trade
for a months rent?

What do you say,
will you take it on?

-I will.
-Good.

Well. That's fine.

I... wrote some sizes
there for you.

When do you think that they
might be ready, Mr. Toomey?

They'll be ready
when they're ready.

Uh, thanks, uh,
I enjoyed to do business...

[door shuts]

...with you, Mr. Toomey.

[chuckles]

Oh, he's a joy.

[gentle music]

Mr. Woodman.

-I have the bookend
you requested.
-Oh!

Now those... [sighs]

...are a fine piece of work.

[children speaking indistinctly]

[harmonica playing]

[children chattering]

[boy]
That's brilliant.

-[boy 2] Yeah!
-[man] Morning, Mr. Toomey.

It's my turn.

Where are you taking that wood,
Mr. Toomey?

You're gonna make
something with it?

-A box.
-[boy] Oh!

[inaudible]

-What are you gonna put
in the box, Mr. Gloomy?
-[laughter]

Inquisitive children.

[children laugh]

[children]
Gloomy Toomey. Gloomy Toomey.

-[children giggle]
-[children] Gloomy Toomey.

Where are we going?

I think that getting away
from here
will be good for us.

I don't want to go.

I like it here.

Well, you'll like it there.
It'll be fun.

-It won't.
-[sighs]

It will be nice
to see Joan and help out
on the farm and...

...have Christmas
in the country.

Christmas?

We're gonna be there
for Christmas?

[whispers] Only two of us.

[horse neighing]

[sighs]

Without your father,
the business can't go on.

Your grandfather's too old
and I can't.

Without that money...

...we have to sell the house.

Sell the house?

You can't just sell our house.

It's my house.

What if Papa comes home?

Thomas, he...
he's not coming home.

But he might.

[stutters] Suppose
he was wounded or...

Or captured or something.

He wasn't wounded or captured.
He is gone.

And we have to get on
with our lives.

Now go to your room
and pack the things

that you want to take with us.

-I don't want to pack--
-No, Thomas.

Stop arguing and do
as you're told for once.

[thuds]

[sad music]

[sobbing]

[sniffles]

[fanfare music]

-[speaks indistinctly]
-Thank you.

[man speaks inaudibly]

[background chatter]

Good luck, Thomas.

[background chatter continues]

[train horn blowing]

[whistle blows]

[inaudible]

[whistle blowing]

[train horn blowing]

[dramatic music]

[horse snorts]

[peaceful music]

[birds chirping]

[dog barking]

Why does Belly sit out here
all the time?

Oh, he's waiting
for Richard to come back.

-[dog whimpering]
-He always does it.

Why don't you take him out?

No, it's all right.

Go on.

Take him out. Explore.

But don't get him wet.

His coat gets matted,
it's a devil to comb out.

[gentle music]

[birds chirping]

Why do we have to come
to this stupid place?

I hate it here.

He is coming back. He is!

[screams] You're all wrong.

[birds chirping]

[dog growling ]

No, I'm not gonna play with you.

[clicks tongue] Come on.

[dog whimpers, barks]

[water splashes]

[grunts]

Come on. Stupid dog.

[Susan]
She told you
not to let him in the water.

It's not like
she's gonna thank you for it.

I didn't let him.

He went in by himself.

Well, you'll have
to make it up to her tomorrow.

-How?
-[sighs] I don't know.

Help out on the farm,
feed the chickens, anything.

I'm not feeding the chickens.

We are not here
to live off Aunt Joan's charity.

She can't afford it
any more than we can.

[sighs sharply]

[opens door]

-Where's my case?
-It's there?

No, not that one.
The little one.

In your room?

No, I had it at the station.

And then...

...I came in with it and...

Oh, no!

-[puffs]
-What?

I left it there at the station.

We have to go back.

-Oh, Thomas, we can't.
-But we have to.

It's got the Christmas
people in it.

Christmas people?

Papa's Christmas people.

[gasps]

The Nativity set.

We are going to be here
for Christmas.

We always have them
at Christmas.

Oh, Thomas. I'm sorry. But...

Just have to get a new one.

But it won't be the same.

-It will.
-[Thomas] No, it won't!
Nothing's the same.

You've got rid of all
our things, all our friends.

-We've even sold our house.
-[sighs]

Nothing's ever
gonna be the same.

-It will in time. I promise you.
-Don't promise me anything.

Mrs. Hickey promised
she'd make masks with me,
and she never did.

Grandpa was always promising
he'd go to the game with me

and he didn't!

And Bubba promised
he was gonna come home,

and he isn't.

So don't promise me anything!

I hate grown-up promises!

[door slams]

[rooster crows]

[clattering]

[gentle guitar music]

[church bell tolling]

[water running]

[birds chirping]

[inaudible]

[horse neighing]

[inaudible]

[horse snorts]

[Celia]
Hello.

You live at Mrs. Tyler's farm,
don't you?

How do you know?

My Pa told me.

What sort of farm is it?

Does she have pigs?

Chickens.

You can't farm chickens.

At least, I don't think you can.

My name's Celia.

What's yours?

Thomas.

Thomas McDowell.

[Edward]
Ma and Pa want to go home.

-Who are you?
-[Celia] Thomas McDowell.

Meet my scuzzy brother, Edward.

And that one's Bobby Clark.

-Where you from?
-From the city.

-That's your Ma over there?
-Yeah.

They learn you to read
up there in the city?

-Yes.
-Right?

-Of course.
-Well, then,
I don't suppose our teacher

will be able to learn you much.

Although from the way she's
talking to your Ma,

looks like she's going to try.

Teach.

-What?
-Teach you much.

-Not learn you much--
-Okay. Shut up, Bobby.

[horse whining]

[background chatter]

[fanfare music]

[rooster crows]

[dog barks]

[chickens hooting and clucking]

[thuds]

[sighs]

Ugh!

[thuds]

[barks]

[bell ringing]

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

-[children laughing]
-[teacher clears throat]

So how was it?

They laughed at my uniform.

Oh.

We can change that.

Some of them asked if I wanted
to go play with them one day?

Oh, well, that'd be nice.

Don't really know them.

Did you go to the station?

Yes, Thomas,
I'm sorry. It's gone.

-I knew it.
-Don't worry.

We'll find a new one. I promise.

[bird squawking]

[sighs]

[Thomas]
What are those things
sticking out of your basket?

[Susan]
They are knitting needles.

I thought I'd try my hand
at knitting us some clothes,

now that I've mastered cooking.

[plates clanking]

[Joan sighs]

-[Susan] Thomas.
-[puffs]

[slow music]

[rooster crows]

[chickens hooting and clucking]

[door creaking]

Are you going
to feed 'em, Thomas?

[chickens clucking]

Well, not so wild.

The important thing...

...is to gain their trust.

Be nice to them.

Last thing in the world
we want is fretful chickens.

They won't lay too many eggs
if they're worried.

How come we don't have cows?

Well... [sighs]

...cows can be
a bit of a handful.

You have to herd 'em,
milk 'em every day.

And it's a struggle
without your uncle.

So I swapped 'em for sheep.

Sheep are a lot easier.

Do you miss him?

[sad music]

[metal clanks]

Well, like crazy.

You never talk about him.

I don't.

I think it pays to... fret
about something I can't change.

What shows up on the outside

isn't necessarily what's
happening on the inside, Thomas.

I'm sure you know that, too.

Sometimes... I just get
really angry inside.

I look at other men.

I wish it was them
that were dead.

Not Bubba.

That's what I feel.

But I see men
who haven't gone to fight.

I guess it's natural.

We're all the same.

[chickens clucking]

[cow moos]

-[Mr. Woodman]
Ms. McDowell, isn't it?
-Mm-hmm.

What can I get for you today?
Do would like the bookends?

They certainly are
a fine piece of work.

Yeah. A local man makes them.

Trades me pieces for supplies.

Good craftsman.

Kind of a loner, though.

Kids call him "Gloomy."

[playful music]

[object clatters]

[children laughing]

[object clatters]

[children laughing]

How come your father
didn't go to w*r?

His eyes aren't that good.

If they gave him a g*n,
he'd probably be more dangerous
to us than the enemy.

You're lucky.

I know.

[Edward]
Hey, Thomas McDowell, let's see
what you could do with this.

Show him, Bobby.

Yeah. See? Nothing to it.

-[grunts]
-[laughs]

[breathless]

You know, for a townie,
you're really dumb.

[laughs]

-Edward!
-What?

-You knew what I was gonna do.
-[Celia] I did not!

I thought you had
grown out of all that.

You're really childish
sometimes, Edward.

Are you all right, Thomas?

[Edward]
It's only a bit of fun.

[calm music]

[Joan]
I think his name is Toomey.

He lives in a house
he leases off Jim Hardwick.

Edwards says he's a kidnapper.

He said what?

He said the man had told him

that he made boxes
to put children in.

Edward thinks he's probably
been in prison or something.

[Joan]
That boy's got
too much imagination.

I don't think so.

He works in wood.

Hmm. I think I saw his stuff
at the store. It's good.

-He's scary.
-[Joan] No, he's not.

A bit dour,
maybe, but not scary.

What's dour?

Unfriendly.

-This is good, Susan.
-Thank you.

You are definitely getting
the hang of it.

[Susan laughs]
Thank you, Joan.

[suspenseful music]

[Celia whispering]
Do you think he's in there?

I think I saw him going.

[whispering] Well,
I saw him in town.

[Celia]
No. He's definitely in there.

You don't have to do this,
Thomas.

[whispering] He does,
if he wants to hang out with us.

We all did.

What do you mean we all?

-You never did it.
-I did it.

I've done it lots of times.

You want to do this
or you gonna [unintelligible]?

-I'll do it.
-Good.

All right.
I'll make it easy for you.

You don't have
to bang on the door.

Just... go right up to the house

and bring me back something
to prove you were there.

[frog croaking]

[crow caws]

[wood creaking]

[suspenseful music swells]

[[crow caws]

-He can do it.
-Do you think he's got lucky?

[sighs]

[mouthing inaudibly]

[children speak inaudible]

[door creaks]

[suspenseful music intensifies]

What do you want?

What do you want?

[door opens, closes]

[steps going upstairs]

Thomas!

Thomas!

Are you feeling unwell?

I'm fine.

Are you sure?

Positive.

[Susan]
I've had an idea
about our Nativity set.

You know the man
you saw at the stream?

That carpenter fellow.

-What was his name?
Tomey or something?
-Toomey.

That's it. Well,
seeing as how Joan
thought he was so good,

I thought we could ask him
to carve us a replacement set.

We could go
and see him tomorrow.
What do you think?

[tense music]

[playful music]

Come along, Thomas.

Come along.

[chuckles] What are
you doing back there?

[knocks on door]

Uh, I'm sorry to bother you,
uh, Mr. Toomey?

What do you want?

My name is Susan McDowell.

This is my son, Thomas.

We're staying with my sister,

-Mrs. Tyler.
-What do you want?

-May we come in?
-No.

Well, uh, in that case,
I was wondering

if you might help us
with the problem we have.

You see, we recently
lost something.

A Nativity set.
It was a carved one.

It was very special to us.
And... [sighs] I was hoping

that by some miracle
it might be returned, but--

Miracles are pishposh.

[scoffs] You're probably right.

Anyway... [sighs]
I want to replace it.

And I was wondering
if you might consider
carving us a new one.

No.

I'm too busy.

And I don't work for people
that lack respect for others.

[crow cawing]

What did he mean by that?

Thomas. Thomas?

I was gonna bang
on his door and run away.

-Kind of a dare.
-A dare?

I won't do anything bad.

Ugh!

I am so sorry, Mr. Toomey.

I apologize for whatever
my son has done to upset you.

He's not a bad boy,
but like all boys,

he can at times behave a little
bit... like a boy and...

[sighs]

I'm sorry to have
bothered you. Come on.

[Mr. Toomey]
How many pieces?

Uh, I'd be happy to pay
for the commission.

[Mr. Toomey]
How many pieces?

Two sheep, a cow, the angel,

uh, the three Wise Men,

Joseph and Mary
with the baby Jesus.

Please, Mr. Toomey,
it's very important to us.

[door opens]

Will you take the job?

-Fifty cents a piece.
-Thank you.

No need to thank me.
That's what I do.

Of course. Mr. Toomey,
one more thing.

Do you think there's any chance

that the figures will be ready
by Christmas Day?

Christmas?

They'll be ready
when they're ready.

[door creaks]

[sighs]

Well, that went well, I think.

Oh.

If he eats it,
he might not take the job.

[fanfare music]

[birds chirping]

[fanfare music swells]

[geese quack]

[children laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

[child exclaims]

You want to play?

I've only got one card,
and I'm not gonna lose it.

Suit yourself.

You didn't have to be
so nasty to Mr. Toomey.

What's it to you?

I don't think he seemed so bad.

It may come as a big surprise
to you, McDowell.

We don't actually care
what you think.

If we want to have a bit of fun
with Gloomy, then we will.

Now, you wanna talk...

...or play?

Mr. Toomey.

[crow cawing]

Mr. Toomey.

[whispering] You really are
the most difficult man
I've ever met.

What do you want?

I just wished
to know if you'd made

a start on our Nativity set.

No.

But I will.

[Susan]
Well, I was wondering
if Thomas

could come and watch you work?

-No.
-He wouldn't disturb you.

I like quiet to do my work.

I'll make sure
he respected your rules.

Why are you asking me this?

He-- he's always been
a creative child and...

...he used to take such
an interest in making things.

This past month has been
very difficult for him,

and I would encourage
anything that would rekindle
his interests.

I'm not a childminder.

-I'd come with him.
-Yeah. I don't like fidgets.

He'd sit still.

I will work on the carvings
one hour each evening.

Bring the boy at five o'clock.

Thank you.

You don't need to thank me.

Whether you're there or not,
makes no difference
to me whatsoever.

[calm music]

[scraping]

[instruments clatter]

[Susan]
Thomas!

Just be quiet.

Yes, mother.

And no fidgeting. He says
he doesn't like fidgets.

I know, mother.

-I mean it.
-Yes, mother.

[Susan]
And you're lucky, he's even
allowing us to be there.

-I'm not sure
I want to be there.
-[sighs] That's not the point.

Come on, we'll be late.

Yes, mother.

[water running]

[knocks on door]

Come.

[door latch clatters]

[chuckles]

[sighs nervously]

You have a-- a very nice house,
Mr. Toomey.

I don't like distractions.

I don't like conversation.

No fidgeting,
no jiggling, no noise.

Not that chair.

The other one.

[sighs]

No one sits in that chair.

[clears throat]

[scraping wood]

[rattling]

[inhales deeply]

[stops rattling]

[resumes scraping wood]

[light thuds]

[crow caws]

[needles rattling]

[sighs]

[popping]

[instrument clatters]

[sighs deeply]

[resumes scraping wood]

Mr. Toomey.

Excuse me.

Mr. Toomey.

May I ask you a question?

[sighing] If you must.

Is that... one of my sheep
you're carving?

And who else's sheep
would it be?

[scraping wood]

Mr. Toomey.

Excuse me, but...

...well...

...you're carving my sheep...

...wrong.

It is a very nice sheep,
Mr. Toomey.

-Nice?
-Very nice.

But?

Well...

-It doesn't look--
-It doesn't look what?

Happy.

Happy?

Happy?

Pishposh! It's a sheep!

Cheaper sheep.

They're not supposed
to look happy.

My sheep were happy.

[Mr. Toomey]
Why?

What do they have
to be happy about?

They knew they are
with the baby Jesus.

[sighs]

Think it's time for us
to be going now.

Um...

Thank you very much, Mr. Toomey,

for letting us come
to visit you.

I hope we may come again.

Uh...

I made this
[unintelligible] bread.

Here. I'll leave it here.

I hope you like it.

Come on.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[animal howling]

[sighs deeply]

Did you say your prayers?

I don't have anything
to pray for.

And you could pray
that you don't make Mr. Toomey
any more upset.

He doesn't seem like
the kind of man who takes
too kindly to instructions.

I didn't tell him what to do.

I only said
that my sheep were happy.

[yawns]

I think he pretends
to be more grumpy than he is.

[Susan]
Well, in that case, let's
keep it that way, shall we?

[wind whooshing]

[sighs]

-Why not?
-Because I don't think

he's been to prison.
That's why not.

Thomas says he's nice.

Thomas says he's nice.

I say he's not.

I say... we go around
the back of the house...

...wait till he's gone
and find the evidence.

What evidence?

I don't know.

Um... Evidence.

There must be something.
Where did he come from?

Why hasn't he got
any friends o-- or a family?

How are we gonna get in?

[cow mooing]

What's that?

It's a key.

I know that. What sort of key?

It's the key to his front door.

Where did you get it?

Pa's key ring.

It's our house. We own it.

Gloomy just rents it.

[Mr. Spencer]
Hey, fellas.

[all in unison]
Hi, Mr. Spencer.

Next week, sometime.

After school.

What's happening next week?

-What's that?
-[Edward] Oh, it's,
it's nothing.

Nothing. We're just, um,
going somewhere with my dad.

-Can I come?
-No, sorry. I gotta go.

Come on.

[gentle music]

What are you doing
with that bottle?

Making cheese.

-What?
-You put some milk in a bottle,

and you leave it there
for a while,

and it turns into cheese.

You have to keep turning,
otherwise it doesn't work.

You want to go?

Yeah.

-Like that?
-Sure.

[Thomas]
How long before
it turns into cheese?

I don't know

[chuckling] Why not?

It never has.

[crow cawing]

[scraping wood]

[fire creaking]

[Thomas hiccups]

[continues to hiccup]

[inhales sharply]

[scraping wood continues]

[exhales]

[hiccups]

-[Thomas] Mr. Toomey, excuse me.
-Hmm?

Is that my cow
that your carving?

Yes.

Oh.

Why do you ask?

Oh, no reason.

It's a very nice cow,
Mr. Toomey.

It's just...

...it doesn't look like my cow.

[sighing] Well...

...all carvings are different.

But my cow looked...

...well, what kind of...

...kind of proud.

Proud?

Pishposh.

Cows are cows.
They cannot look proud.

My cow did.

It knew Jesus had chosen
to be born in it's barn.

So it felt proud.

Well, this isn't a real cow.

This is a carving.

And carvings are made of wood.

Carvings don't have feelings.

My cow did.

[hiccups]

[crow cawing]

["Nothing But a Child"
by Steve Earle]

♪ Once upon a time ♪

♪ In a far off land ♪

♪ Wise men saw a sign ♪

♪ And set out across the sand ♪

♪ Songs of praise to sing ♪

♪ They traveled day and night ♪

♪ And precious gifts to bring ♪

♪ Guided by the light ♪

♪ And nothing but a child ♪

♪ Could help erase those miles ♪

♪ So once again we all ♪

♪ Can be children ♪

♪ For awhile ♪

♪ Nothing but a little baby ♪

[male and female singers]
♪ Nothing but a child ♪

I was thinking
of asking Mr. Toomey

if Celia could come
with me and Thomas

to watch him carve
one afternoon.

Oh. I don't know if that's
such a good idea, Susan.

But he's not quite as gruff
as people think.

He-- he's quite nice, actually.

It's not that exactly.

Look, Susan,
you come from a town.

We're countryfolk. [chuckles]

We tend to keep ourselves
to ourselves.

Toomey pitched up here.
No story. No family.

Obviously, doesn't want
to be too friendly.

There's a reason for that.

[wind chime rings]

Oh, Mrs. McDowell.
Just the person.

I want to talk to you
about soap flakes.

-Th--
-Soap flakes. Oh, no,
thank you, Mr. Woodman.

I just came in
for some more wool.

Everything all right?

[scoffs] Fine.

It's just something
somebody said reminded me

of how complicated
people can be.

Look to the horizon,
Mrs. McDowell.

Always something good,
just out of sight.

[chuckles]

[fanfare music]

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[inaudible]

[sighs]

[sad music]

[muted]

[wind whooshing]

[knocks on door]

Thomas.

Mrs. McDowell.

[owl hooting]

You're quiet today.

Unusually quiet.

Thinking about my father.

What were you thinking
about him?

That nobody will remember him.

Not now that the w*r is over.

[clears throat]

You'll remember him.

You know...

I think that'd be enough
for him too.

You should bring
your stool here.

[birds chirping]

[clears throat]

What's the matter with it?

Oh, nothing, Mr. Toomey.

Good.

Except...

-Yes?
-Well...

...it's just...

Yes?

Well, my angel...

...the original one...

...looked really kind of...

...sort of...

...important.

Important?

Pishposh. Of course,
it's important. It's an angel.

How am I supposed to make it
look more important?

I don't know, Mr. Toomey.

-But I'm sure you will.
-Hmm.

You did it
with the sheep and the cow.

-Mr. Toomey. Excuse me, but--
-[exhales sharply]

Has no one ever talked to you
about the value of silence?

-My mother.
-And what did she say?

She said she'd hope
I would learn it from you.

[clicks tongue] What?

-Can I carve something?
-No.

-Why not?
-Because you'll probably
cut yourself.

I'll be really careful.

Last words of many famous men.

I will though.

And because I'm not a teacher.

Oh, you needn't teach me.
I'll just...

-...figure it out for myself.
-And there's only room enough
for one carver at this bench.

Oh.

[scraping wood]

[sighs]

[clicks tongue]

Here.

What shall I carve?

[Mr. Toomey]
Oh, well, a bird.

What sort of bird?

Hmm. A robin.

I like robins.

All right. [clears throat]

[Mr. Toomey]
This knife is very sharp,
so I want you to be careful.

I will be.

Up.

Here.

Your thumb,

lock it in with your forefinger.

Always cut away from your body.

That way, you
won't stab yourself.

[Thomas]
I won't.

That's it.

Just keep narrowing
that in like you're
sharpening a pencil.

See, that's where you want
the head and the beak.

[mutters]

Mr. Toomey.

Yes, Thomas.

When will the carvings be ready?

They'll be ready... [sighs]

...when they're ready.

[scraping wood]

[church bell tolls]

It's time for us to go now,
Thomas.

Thank you, Mr. Toomey.

Thomas,

take these home with you.

And practice more.

It may help you learn
the value of silence.

Go on.

Thank you for the stool,
Mr. Toomey.

-[Mr. Toomey] Hmm.
-It's really nice.

[door opens, closes]

[gentle music]

-[Thomas] That was nice of him,
wasn't it?
-[Susan] Yes, it was.

[Thomas]
When I've fed the chickens, I'm
going to do some more carving.

-[Susan] Not too late.
-[Thomas] I don't think
he's [unintelligible]

I really don't
understand that stuff
about the value of silence.

[speaking inaudibly]

[gasps] Oh!

[speaking inaudibly]

[inaudible]

[dog barks]

[children chattering]

[inaudible]

[children speaking indistinctly]

[exclaims]

[children continue
to speak indistinctly]

[sad music]

[Joan speaks inaudibly]

[gentle slow music]

[Susan crying]

[Susan continues to cry]

[sad gentle music]

The day you were born,
I... [sniffles]

I woke up very early.

It was summer and everything
was warm and still.

And I could hear
this bird calling.

And I just lay there
and listened to it.

And then I woke your father...

...and I told him that it
was time for you to be born.

And he looked at me...

[inhales]

...and he said that no matter

what happened... [exhales]

...this would always be
the best day of his life.

And you know what?

It was mine, too.

He was a wonderful man.

He was kind and he was strong.

He looked after us. [sighs]

Don't worry anymore.

We'll will look after us now.

We will.

[laughs]

[kisses]

-So...
-[horse neighing]

-...you ready?
-I'm not coming.

Why not?

-It's not right.
-You jibber.

I am not a jibber.
I just don't think it's right.

Well, It looks like
it's just you and me then, huh?

She'd only get
in the way anyhow.

-I'm not going either.
-What?

-Not going!
-Why?

Fundamentally, I believe
it constitutes a contravention

-of the individual's
right to privacy.
-What?

[inaudible]

[laughs]

[people chattering]

Where is Edward?

Gone off in a temper.

What about?

Oh, nothing.

Tell me.

I don't want to tell you.

[scoffs] Why not?
Where's he gone?

He's gone to Mr. Toomey's house,

to... look for evidence.

Evidence?

-Evidence of what?
-I don't know.
Just evidence, he said.

[dog barks]

How's he gonna get in?

He took a key off Pa's ring.

We've got to stop him.

Tell my mother I'll see her
at Mr. Toomey's house.

[dramatic music]

[bird squawking]

[dramatic music intensifies]

Edward!

-What are you doing?
-What's it to you?

You can't just break
into somebody's house.

Not somebody's. My family's.

That's none of your business.

That Toomey is hiding something.

And I'm going
to find out what it is.

You leave him alone, Edward.

[tense music]

Or what?

What's he gotta do
with you anyway, huh?

How come you like him so much?

You want him to marry your Ma

or something like that,
McDowell?

Is that it?

You're looking for a new Pa?

And you think
that gloomy man's him.

[punches]

Lucky I got him off you
when I did.

Shut up, Bobby.

[birds chirping]

Well, Thomas,
what have you been doing?

-Had an argument with someone.
-An argument?

[gentle music]

More like a fight, I suppose.

Hmm.

Getting in fights a lot?

Sometimes you have to.

No, nobody has to fight,

they just fight
because they like to fight.

Sometimes even people
who don't like fighting have to.

When's that?

Well... when it's right.

I don't know. I'm ten years old.

Only had one real fight.

You're a grown-up.
You must know.

Grown-ups don't know anything.

[bird squawking]

[knocks on the door]

[Susan]
Mr. Toomey.

Mr. Toomey.

[clock ticking]

[sad gentle music]

[exclaims]

[crow cawing]

-[Thomas] What are you
gonna carve today?
-[Mr. Toomey] Today?

Today, I start on Mary
and the Baby Jesus.

You want to tell me
what they should look like

before I go making any mistakes?

[Thomas]
That's easy, Mr. Toomey.

They just loved each other
more than anything else
in the world.

That's helping a little?

[door latch clanks]

You had no right.

Uh...

I was looking for a vase
for the holly.

I thought it'd look pretty
on the table.

I'm so sorry. I'm meant no harm.

No right at all.

[objects clattering]

[wind whooshing]

[birds cawing]

We made him very angry today,
didn't we?

No, Thomas.

I did.

It's not your fault.

[chuckles]

It's not gonna be the same
this Christmas, is it?

I don't know.

I'll say a prayer.

That's a very good idea.

[birds chirping]

[owl hooting]

I've come to apologize.

And to ask you not
to punish Thomas for my mistake.

You have no need to.

I feel that I do.

Whoever you are and...
whatever has happened to you,

you have a right
to your privacy,

and I had no right
to intrude upon it.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Toomey.

I want no presents.

Christmas is pishposh.

Not to us, Mr. Toomey.

To us, Christmas
is very special.

[gentle music]

[chickens clucking]

[dog barking]

[birds chirping]

Do you think he'll finish it?

I don't know.

[unintelligible]
will take a miracle.

I don't think Mr. Toomey
believes in miracles.

[owl hooting]

[sighs]

[wind whooshing]

[baby cooing]

[sad music]

[baby cooing]

[gentle music]

[Thomas]
They just loved each other more
than anything else in the world.

[gentle music swells]

[inspirational music]

[bird squeals]

[bird squawking]

[gentle music]

[rooster crows]

[Susan whispers]
Thomas.

Wake up.

[gentle music swells]

[church bell tolls]

[people chattering]

[inaudible]

[Christmas music]

[children laughing]

[muted]

[laughter]

[inaudible]

Did you make those?

[inaudible chattering]

[Christmas music continues]

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

[gentle music]

They really are nice,
Mr. Toomey.

Thank you.

Oh, you're welcome, Thomas.

Mr. Toomey.

Yes.

[Thomas]
May I ask you a question?

[Mr. Toomey]
If you must.

[Thomas]
Do you think
Christmas is pishposh?

[Mr. Toomey]
No, I don't, Thomas.

I don't think
Christmas is pishposh.

I think Christmas is...

...very special.

-[Thomas] Mr. Toomey.
-[Mr. Toomey] Yes?

[Thomas]
What does pishposh mean?

[Christmas music]

["Nothing But a Child"
by Steve Earle]

♪ Once upon a time ♪

♪ In a far off land ♪

♪ Wise men saw a sign ♪

♪ And set out across the sand ♪

♪ Songs of praise to sing ♪

♪ They traveled day and night ♪

♪ And precious gifts to bring ♪

♪ Guided by the light ♪

♪ They chased a brand new star ♪

♪ Ever towards the west ♪

♪ Across the mountains far ♪

♪ But when it came to rest ♪

♪ They scarce believed
their eyes ♪

♪ They'd come so many miles ♪

♪ And this miracle they prized ♪

♪ Was nothing but a child ♪

♪ Nothing but a child ♪

♪ Could wash those tears away ♪

♪ Or guide a weary world ♪

♪ Into the light of day ♪

♪ And nothing but a child ♪

♪ Could help erase those miles ♪

♪ So once again we all ♪

♪ Can be children for awhile ♪

♪ Now all around the world ♪

♪ In every little town ♪

♪ Everyday is heard ♪

♪ A precious little sound ♪

♪ And every mother kind ♪

♪ And every father proud ♪

♪ Looks down in awe to find ♪

♪ Another chance allowed ♪

♪ And nothing but a child ♪

♪ Could wash those tears away ♪

♪ Or guide a weary world ♪

♪ Into the light of day ♪

♪ And nothing but a child ♪

♪ Could help erase those miles ♪

♪ So once again we all ♪

♪ Can be children for awhile ♪

♪ Nothing but a little baby ♪

♪ Nothing but a child ♪