The Perfect Gift (2009) User Reviews

One Good Carpenter can build a World of Love

[dennisg-6 · 6/10 · 20 February 2010]

Now here is a Christmas movie with TRUE family values.

This is the story of an out-of-town carpenter, who notices a minister "trying" to build a large Nativity scene in front of his church. Jess offers to erect it, as a favor.

A high school girl needs to compose a story about Christmas, or flunk her class. Jess helps her along, and everyone else he meets.

This movie moves along pretty slowly (a definite plus for me), and shows the transformation in several people. Spirituality is different from religiosity (spiritual is about feelings ... religion is about rules). This is a feel-good movie.

Great core message marred by cheap shots

[tdreitzel · 6/10 · 28 December 2020]

This is a great story with a great fundamental message about the true meaning of Christmas. Some of the characters are a bit predictable and one-dimensional (the self-serving lead pastor, the legally pious civil liberties activist), but they are tolerable as the main characters navigate and grow through the challenges before them.

Unfortunately, this story and its message are marred by the potshots taken at an alleged war on Christmas. No local government would outlaw a creche on church property. None. And no school would send home a student for the phrase "Reason for the season". Those are strawman situations that the movie piously knocks down with a sledgehammer. More realistic challenges handled more eloquently would have made this a much better movie.

The movie's characters frequently treat everyone as if they're Christians, whch is also unrealistic. Christians live in a world with people of other religions, which is why businesses call things a holiday party or a winter gala, and we all need to respect other people's religious choices. This movie's Christian characters want their choices respected; so they should treat others (of other religions) as they would want to be treated.

Once one gets past the cheap shots and the tunnel vision, however, this movie has a great message for those who do celebrate or want to celebrate Christmas.

The Perfect Gift...Fantastic Movie!!

[garyanddonna-576-6747 · 10/10 · 7 November 2009]

This is by far one of the best movies I have seen! I've been a fan of Jefferson Moore for a while now, and have really been moved by his projects, but this one was over the top. My family and I all left feeling so blessed by this movie. You leave feeling like you have been in the presence of Christ.

It's rare that a movie can capture the essence of Christmas like this one does! You can see through the movie how when Christ enters your life, your life can change, and the things that really matter come into focus.

This is one of those movies that will be fun to watch every Christmas. It will be timeless!

The Perfect Gift

[carlaschuchman · 10/10 · 30 November 2009]

Not sleeping at night has become a habit lately. 2 am this morning I woke and could not get back to sleep. I decided to get up, make the coffee and get ready to watch the news and get on my computer. But God...

I decided to turn on TBN and here was this movie. It has to be the best movie I have seen about Christmas. I was so moved and touched. I want to share it with everyone! I learned a lot too. The meanings behind so many of the things we tend to take for granted and very special meanings.

I love all of Jefferson Moore's and Kelly's Filmworks movies, but this was right on time.

And of course, God brought it to me in His time.

Thank you guys for a job well done. God Bless you and your family and

Merry Christmas!!

Uplifting Movie, Marred Mainly by a Focus on the Bogus War on Christmas

[theoneheart · 5/10 · 25 November 2017]

A wonderfully uplifting movie reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas marred mainly by introducing the politics of separation. The movie's promotion of the imagined war on Christmas undermined its message of humility, giving and love. Our government of the people (70% Christian), by the people and for the people is not our enemy or the enemy of Christian principles unless we make it so. The government or ACLU so reviled in this movie can and has supported many principles illuminated therein. The Perfect Gift lost its perfection not in the imperfect acting, it lost its perfection in the politic of propaganda and separation.

Uplifting with a learning element

[mistyboogieboo · 9/10 · 20 December 2020]

This was a really good family movie. It teaches the meaning behind Christmas and all of the Christmas decorations and lights. The kids loved the movie.

This was just silly...(CONTAINS SPOILERS)

[farrell-g · 3/10 · 19 December 2011]

I'm actually watching this right now, and I've been literally face- palming as I watch it. At one point, Jesus (represented by the drifter "Jess" in the film) works on building a Nativity display for a church's Christmas celebration. The pastor of the church is visited by members of an organization, the "National Civil Freedom Coalition" that's meant to be a very-thinly-disguised version of the ACLU. They explain to the pastor that due to a new city law prohibiting displays of religious symbols in the business district, they would no longer be permitted to have the crèche on their property. It seems the road in front of the church has been deemed to be part of the business district. "But we're a church!" protests the pastor. The "NCFC" fellows tell him almost gleefully that they'll be fined $5000.00 if they don't take it down, which they do, all leading up to a very "It's a Wonderful Life" ending. Throughout it all, the ACLU-stand-ins are practically sneering and twirling their mustaches as they contemplate the church losing this battle.

The funny thing is that no city would ever be permitted to disallow a Nativity scene or any other religious symbol on church property, regardless of whether it can be viewed from the road. In fact, that's usually the purpose.

Also, if such a law had been passed, the ACLU (or equivalent) would have been at the forefront in the defense of the civil liberties and constitutional rights of the church, as they have often defended churches and Christian causes in the past.

It's because of these extraordinarily implausible and unrealistic plot devices that I just had to practically bang my head against my desk.

I have no problem with the deeper message of kindness touching the heart of the outcast, disaffected or bitter, or that of a town coming together to right a wrong; indeed, these have been constant ideas since the invention of film, and in plays before that. However, it seems that the filmmakers either had little or no knowledge of how their conflict would play out in the real world, or have a very biased and unrealistic view of it.

The acting was fair enough, and the scenic work was fine, which gave it the stars it got from me. I could think of better Christmas films to watch, and unless you want to give warped ideas to your church youth groups, I'd find another movie for them.

I recommend this well-acted Christmas Movie

[cassiejo-244-357836 · 10/10 · 21 December 2011]

I disagree with ferrel-g's review, in that I think the film's NCFC (ACLU clone) merely points to the lengths such organizations go to to disallow any displays of Christianity. It is an exaggeration, yes, but I don't think it is very far from reality. The mention at one point that a little girl had to turn her shirt inside-out at school because it said Merry Christmas is a scene that has played out in real life throughout the USA in recent years. Also the no "Christmas" party rule in the movie is a common thing in many companies in our PC land. This reviewer saw the nasty side of the NCFC spokesman(as pointed our by reviewer ferrel-g), but the head pastor was also portrayed as an unsavory character! AND, in the end both stiff necked fellows came around. I totally enjoyed this movie. I thought the acting was good and the plot endearing. I purchased several to give as gifts!

Unsafe Practices

[luannlmore · 1/10 · 23 November 2020]

Drifter comes by church and offers to work. Pastor leaves young girl that he is watching for a friend alone with the guy and then asks him to take her home. Certainly not something any sane person would do. I would not let my teen granddaughter watch it. He's of course a good guy, but no one knows that. Just gives some dangerous ideas.

This is about religious freedom.

[sjanders-86430 · 10/10 · 3 January 2021]

Freedom of religion is part of the foundation of the United States of America. People have the right to say Christmas and to say Merry Christmas. The nativity scene at the center of The Perfect Gift is a symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ. When churches have to take down their nativity scenes, it is not right. All churches can put whatever they want on their property. I enjoyed this film because the issue of religious freedom is very important.

Cute. Fresh and uplifting!

[nanettemeau · 10/10 · 21 April 2019]

I was pleasantly surprised. It's Easter Sunday and I thought why don't I watch it Easter movie. So I typed in Easter movies on Amazon Prime. This is one of the movies that popped up. I gave it a try. I loved it. I think many people can relate to this character especially the guy who withdraws from society seeking peace of mind. In steps a talkative worldly privileged young lady who pulls him out of his shell. I thought it was a cute sweet film.

Seriously? This movie is ridiculous

[jjfuzzles · 2/10 · 26 November 2018]

The screenwriters basically make things up about whether religious displays are allowed on church property and whether kids are allowed to say Merry Christmas. Um, of course they are, and of course they can. And yet they had NO problem with scenes that left a young girl alone with a stranger they knew absolutely nothing about except he had long hair and was a good carpenter. We get it, he looked like Jesus. The scene where he ties an apron around the girl gave me the creeps. Sure, it's a feel good movie but only if you know he's Jesus. Smh.

The Perfect Gift...Wonderful movie!

[lockwoodfsteve · 10/10 · 21 December 2017]

I was watching holiday movies on amazon prime, and came across this one. I was so moved by this movie; it now ranks number #1 of my favorite movies of all time. I was in tears as I watched, and am so glad I found it! I also agree with the other reviews; after watching, I did feel that I was in christ's presence.

Take that, Political Correctness!

[chuckstandfuss · 9/10 · 19 December 2020]

I had no preconceived expectations for this movie and was totally blown away! This is a simple story, powerfully told. Although I viewed this film in 2020 eleven years after it's release, the message had not lost any relevance or currency. Interweaving the Christmas story with a battle over Free Speech and Civil Liberties was a masterful story design. The transformation of the main character, Maxine, from the bratty 9-year-old to a caring young citizen was a joy to watch. The translation of the Gospel story and Constitutional principles into layman's language was also a great screenplay device. The movie was compelling but not preachy. A must for all families at Christmas time! Probably should also be required viewing by most corporate boards across America, too. Bravo, Jefferson Moore!

An Uplifting Christmas Movie

[missylinda51 · 9/10 · 25 November 2023]

If you're looking for an uplifting Christmas movie then this is the movie for you.

The most memorable line in the movie goes something like this: What if.the world threw you a Christmas party and you were the only one not invited?

The movie is a reminder that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. It's not about glitz and glamor.

Too many people get wrapped up in wishing everyone, "Happy Holidays" so as not to offend non-Christians. Well, I say, "Merry Christmas!" We have to fight for what's right and not be afraid to stand up for what's right.

I have to admit I got a little bit choked up several times. The Perfect Gift was heartwarming and inspiring.

I've seen several Jefferson Moore movies and I love them all. I recommend them highly.