The National Tree (2009 TV Movie) User Reviews

Nice sentiment, but some goofy flaws

[MartianOctocretr5 · 5/10 · 15 December 2009]

Most of the goofy flaws are contrivances designed to move the plot forward, though, so poetic license prevails. Not to mention the fact these minor problems are somewhat silly and therefore entertaining.

OK, follow this plot: a teen guy who has a somewhat inflated assessment of how interesting his life is likes to video blog/chat with some cyber buddies. I got a kick out of the one who looks like a dozen Chia Pets exploded on her head. She's having a serious bad hair day. Make that a bad hair century.

His dad is a widower (like all movies of this ilk), and they have dad/teen son tensions; who could have seen that coming? He wins a contest to have his tree become the new National Tree in Washington. His dad tells him "no" every time he opens his mouth, and that's a lot since this kid shoots off his yap constantly. All the while, he tapes his favorite video subject (himself), and posts it on the net. The movie would have you believe somebody is actually watching his videos, lol. All aboard as Dad and Rock (yeah, that's his name) set out from Oregon over 18 wheels to transport and hand-deliver the tree in DC. But fires, corporate nasties, a hitch hiking gf (not the Chia), a hip grandma, and more stuff awaits on the highway ahead. The final act and its result: only in a TV movie, folks.

Much of this story is as stretch, but those parts are funny because of it; yet these awkward moments do not prevent the sentimentality that is intended. With all the contrivances, it's still worth a couple of hours if you're going to be home anyway.

A Celebrity Tree

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 29 November 2009]

The National Tree as a story hit home for me because I remember back in 1965 my mother planted a tree for my grandmother the same way that Andrew McCarthy planted a tree for his dead wife and the mother of Evan Williams. When in 1997 my brother and I sold the house the tree was still going strong. I've not gone back to Brooklyn to see if the tree is still there though. I hope it is.

Which hangs the tale of The National Tree. That tree is saved because the President of the USA has chosen it to be the national Christmas tree to be lighted at the White House and replanted there. Otherwise it would have been scheduled to be bulldozed because Andrew McCarthy is selling off his property in Oregon.

But since the tree is saved McCarthy and Williams are driving a big rig to Washington, DC to deliver it to the White House in person. Along for the ride are Kati Matchatt from the company who bought the property and are reaping the publicity and Paula Brancati a video chat room pal of Williams whom they meet in the flesh in Wyoming. In fact the scenes with Williams chatting with Brancati and his other pals around the world are the best in the film. In fact they are the hope of the world as young people make connections beyond national boundaries.

The film is a pleasant two hours viewing with an easy to take cast and a story while not Citizen Kane is still entertaining.

Just awful

[Zerbey · 2/10 · 30 November 2009]

Bad, even by "Hallmark Movie" standards. Look, I understand that Hallmark have a very specific audience they are trying to reach - but there are many, MANY other movies in this genre that are at least watchable. They do at least TRY to give it a modern edge with some ridiculous chat-room nonsense at the beginning, and our hero the son hams it up to his camcorder for most of the movie. Plus, they do throw in a girlfriend into the mix, and lets not forget the evil corporation trying to kill the tree. Oh no! In end, however, it's yet another rehashing of a "Father-son relationship rekindled" plot (and not a very well done one at that). The movie starts to drown in clichés by the end. Watch it if only for the amusement value, or to make your Mother happy.

Here we go again -- just dreadful

[rgcustomer · 5/10 · 8 January 2010]

I'm not sure whether it's Canadians or US citizens who should be more annoyed with this film.

I knew when I saw this film being heavily pimped by The Movie Network, with zillions of showings (versus only a handful for Hollywood blockbusters and worthy Canadian films) that it was going to be bad Canadian content filler.

But they wore me down, and I caved in to watch it.

How sad is it that the best a bunch of Canadians (enabled in part by Canada and Ontario tax credits) can do is to make an embarrassingly bad movie about a foreign country's national tree?

As far as I know, the US has no "national tree" of the kind depicted in the film. It has a National _Christmas_ Tree (despite the claimed separation of church and state) in the Ellipse.

The near-100-year claim is nonsense in the film. For example, The National Christmas Tree was a new cut (dead) tree every year from 1954 until 1973. Only after that did they decide to return to planted (live) trees. But it wasn't easy. From 1973-1977 it was a Colorado blue spruce from Pennsylvania, which fared poorly. In 1977, it was replaced with one from Maryland that did even worse. In 1978, it was finally replaced with the current one again from Pennsylvania.

The actual "National Tree" of the US is Oak (note, not an actual individual tree, but an entire category of trees)

As for the film itself: * strong Canadian accents from many characters that even a Canadian would notice are out-of-place * awful special effects (I mean really, if they are this bad, why bother? Yes, I'm speaking to the people who did the falling cinders, and the internet video conferencing -- go find another line of work.) * typically cloyingly earnest characters * I'm not what you'd call pro-Mormon, but I felt that Mormons and Utah were portrayed needlessly unfairly in the film, like they were people from another planet, who didn't understand the National Christmas Tree. If this is actually true in some way, it should have been explained. * for a film featuring I-80, you'd think they'd include such road characteristics as the tunnels in Wyoming, the Archway Monument in Nebraska, the bridge over the Mississippi River, the toll road in Indiana and Ohio, and the varying flat, hilly, canyon, and mountainous landscapes from state to state. Filmmakers obviously ignored the superior example set by the 2008 Canadian road movie, One Week.

Who had the bright idea to shoot a road movie almost entirely in close-up? But even then, they still can't hide the Canadian-ness of the surroundings. Lime Ridge Mall (you know, with the Canadian Shoppers Drug Mart that you can see in the film) is in Hamilton, Ontario, not Chicago. And I somehow doubt that the Amish in Pennsylvania frequently fly the Canadian flag, and certainly not by itself.

For some reason, Maryland (between Pennsylvania and DC) wasn't worth mentioning. They just drive directly from Pennsylvania to DC.

I also didn't like the woman. She reminded me of the alien leader in the recent V mini-series. And if you take a job that requires significant travel separating you from your significant other, then you are not the person in the relationship who gets to complain when you can't get in touch on your schedule. That right belongs to person who stays at home. This woman has a heart of ice.

Last, the young man and woman are shown drinking wine. Like many of the states they travelled through (Idaho, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Maryland) the District of Columbia has a total ban on consumption of alcohol by people under 21, even in private with parental permission.

So, no, I didn't like it. Why is this junk cluttering the subscriber movie channels in Canada, when we get just one or two chances to see quality films that we actually want to see?

You won't be barking up the wrong "tree" to view this one, haha, its quite lovely

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 6 October 2010]

Corey (Andrew McCarthy) and his teenage son, Rock (Evan Williams) live in rustic Oregon country. A widower for a long time, Corey once planted a tree for his day-old son that has now grown quite large. Unknown to the father, Rock entered the tree into a contest to be chosen as the official National Tree for the approaching holiday season. He wins! Rock is appropriately excited, especially since he has a blog site to spread the good news to his cyber friends. But, Corey initially is reluctant. Only after the lady in charge, Faith, assures him that the tree will be transported "live", not cut down, does he relent. But, Corey insists on driving the huge truck that will take the tree cross-country. Rock will ride shotgun and is looking forward to stopping at his grandmother's in the Dakotas and at the house of a good looking Internet gal pal in Wyoming. The trip turns dangerous quickly, when father and son run into a forest fire. But, after making it through that hazard, they land in Caspar, where Rock is thrilled to meet Katie. So happy is the young couple that they go against Corey's wishes and sneak Katie into the truck's hold for the journey. Will they make it all the way to D.C. and will Corey get angry when he discovers the stowaway? Also, could strong-and-silent Corey actually have eyes for Faith, despite her upcoming nuptials? This is quite a lovely film for the holidays, with plenty of romance and adventure for most family members. McCarthy has a nice turn as the somewhat grouchy and stoic father while Williams is wonderful as the talented son. All of the other cast members do a fine job as well. The cross country trip is a visual treat while the costumes and other production values are well above average. All in all, you won't be barking up the wrong tree if you seek out this film to share with your family. It is another fine choice for holiday viewing that will please most everyone who plops down for a showing.

Chop Down This Tree and Burn It

[Christmas-Reviewer · 5/10 · 8 August 2016]

Andrew McCarthy stars in this film. I am not sure if he is playing the part as "Too old" or it was poorly executed screenplay. Now the general outline of this film got me interested so that it was I viewed it. The film started off okay but it slowly sank into the abyss of melodrama. Every plot point is telegraphed. Now I don't mind a "By The Numbers" story but I do mind a story that is poorly executed. In this film the "The National Tree" a father and son are en-route from Oregon to Washington DC to deliver the National Tree to DC. This film becomes a road trip but upon closer inspection you can tell that don't travel far. The terrain never changes. Funny that an ALL American STORY was produced by Canadian Production company!

Andrew McCarthy is miscast. He is about 19-20 years too young for the part. He acts like a 70 year old. He alone sinks the movie. It could of been much better had almost anyone else was cast as the lead.

There is plenty of enjoyable Christmas theme movies. This is not one of them

I Liked it

[catcha-fire · 8/10 · 15 December 2009]

I thought it was a very touching movie, and the Teen character Rock was very likable. 2 Thumbs up for a loving Christmas Movie! Good job. A little different in the normal holiday theme, but it wouldn't be memorable if it followed the same old theme. It was great seeing Actor Andrew McCarthy in a movie again, even if he was a little hard to like in the beginning. I do recommend this film for family viewing, and it is perfect on the Hallmark channel. I've been very impressed with the holiday movies this year. Also for those of you interested in watching Hallmark Movies, may I also suggest ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and Lifetime's FaLaLaLa Lifetime.

Just OK

[toncincin · 3/10 · 15 November 2019]

Flaws everywhere! I-80 doesn't run through Oregon or Idaho ... that I-84. It's I-84 until you get into Utah. The Interstate does NOT go through Salt Lake City. It goes through east/northern suburbs and then cuts to I-80. It's also VERY flat along both highways EXCEPT a small area in Eastern Oregon and Eastern Utah/Western Wyoming. ... no mountains or forests along the way. Mostly grasslands and farms.

ALSO - all radio/TV stations west of the Mississippi River use call letters that start with K - not W. The reports of the forest fire (where's the forest on I-80???) Re on a TV station with W call letters. So we have this woman watching an Eastern US in Oregon? Good trick in the days before Cable/Satellite TV was prolific!

As far as the story - nice father/son road trip. The relationship was strained because dad doesn't get teenage boys - but in the end, they come together for the same cause. Could have been a better story - not in a truck cab. The video blogging was ridiculous.

Watch this only if you have NOTHING else to do...

Great movie but kind of offensive to Mormons.

[kirstenraepetersen · 2/10 · 12 December 2014]

I would like to know why they added the word "Mormons" in such a disgusting way? I also don't appreciate that they used Mormons so many times. There are Mormons all over the world. And they should be respected. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed this move. But if the Utah and Mormons part was used as a joke it was not funny. Just like all religions and ethnicities they should not be made fun of in any situation, especially one that would be broadcasted through a movie. As a warning to all movies I hope they know that every one and thing in a movie should be respected. Thank you for allowing my comment to be seen. I really do appreciate it.

More social media propaganda than an adventure and bonding movie

[SimonJack · 5/10 · 17 February 2022]

"The National Tree" is a holiday film with an interesting idea for a plot, but it has too many downsides. How much it followed the book it was based on, I don't know. That is a fictional 2001 novel of the same title by David Kranes. The main characters are the same as in the book, Corey and Rock Burdock. But they live in northern California, not Oregon. The tree wasn't picked in a competition that Rock entered. In the book, his dad, but Corey offered it. And, the president of the U. S. calls Corey to accept his offer of a Sitka Spruce. Rock's mom didn't die when he was a baby, but she just up and left them then. And the heart of their cross-country trip to deliver the tree is a strong bonding of father and son in the book.

So, with those changes, one wonders if the whole theme was changed in the movie, with characters added. The film was all shot in Ontario, Canada. That may explain why the change of the Burdock's tree farm California to Oregon. Since the theme is built around the cross-country trip, they try to put film segments in that have scenery that closely resembles what would be seen on a road trip from west central Oregon to Washington, DC. And, the film is fairly close - I have driven this half a dozen times from Oregon to the Midwest, and about the same number of times from the Midwest to Washington, D. C. A map scene shows that they cross Oregon in the middle, which would be through Bend and then on U. S. 20 to Ontario, Oregon, and I-84 at the Idaho border. Then I-84 across Idaho to I-80 in Utah. But they would have been hard pressed to find in eastern Canada scenery that resembles the desert country that is seen on a trip across Nevada and Utah (I've done that one three times -- much of my driving comes from years of travel to see and take in the national monuments, historic sites, and natural and scenic wonders.) Anyway, the bonding of the father and son is almost buried in this story which looks more like a propaganda film for the big social media platforms.

Rock's camera shooting, social media posts, and the scenes of the sponsoring company offices with all the media hits, get more attention than the actual road trip scenes. Instead, this would have been much more interesting with the adventure itself, and the scenery and more attention to the dad and son bonding. Instead, Rock is a teenager - like so many portrayed in movies, whose dad doesn't understand him. If his dad has to get on him about being late for work so often, Rock obviously had problems with dependability, habits and personal discipline. And the fact that he had the camera and related equipment for live video feeds, says that he surely wasn't denied anything. He's mostly a very self-centered teen, focused on himself. He shows little respect for his dad. And, that he would help a teen girl stow away under the tarp on an 18-wheeler for a road trip shows how dumb Rock is, with a lack of common sense. The film showed this again when he leaves her out there at night in very cold temperatures.

One doesn't expect films like this to be factual or accurate with most of their details. But when portraying travel anywhere, the plots should try to be as real as possible for the many people who may know areas and see something so out of sorts. While the producers did a fairly good job of implying the route of the cross-country travel, with scenery like what one would see in some of the states, the forest fire that they have to drive through on a detour in Wyoming is notable. It would take something on the order of an earthquake that would demolish miles of I-80 through Wyoming to force a detour that would take traffic through the forest. There is no Highway 32, as in the movie, but there is a Highway 130 that goes through the mountainous area of Medicine Bow National Forest (which I have also driven), which rejoins I-80 at Laramie - 50 miles West of Cheyenne.

One wonders if Hallmark was specifically trying to make this film appealing to teens, with the social media exchanges Rock has with three other people around the globe. That, and the frequent selfies and live video feeds along the way to show the progress of their trip. Also, the teen girlfriend. Then, there's the company representative, Faith, who follows along with planned staged stops for publicity. During this trip, she breaks up with her fiancé, and a couple days later she's fallen for Corey Burdock. That's real love? Especially after most of the time Corey is in a scene, he's frowning and skeptical or grumpy. The film clearly shows him as the 'uncaring" or overly critical father.

All of the silly hoopla at the end, to keep the National Park Service from cutting the tree and put it in a stand, instead of planting it, is pure hoke. My five stars are for the idea from the author's book, and the fairly good shots of the scenery along the way. It did give a sense of following this trip across America.

Horrible

[nicholasveriker · 1/10 · 18 December 2019]

This is quite possibly the worst piece of film I have ever seen. One hot actor is the only good thing. That being said, I'd rather take a shotgun shell to the face than watch This. Absolutely horrible.