Mary (Olesya Rulin) is one troubled teen. First, she is on the outs with her society mom (Cybill Shepherd) and her mother's new husband. They sent her to boarding school and didn't seem to want her around. Reaching out to someone, Mary has gotten pregnant. Her mama's response was get an abortion and we'll tell everyone it was appendicitis. Saddened and angry, Mary is hitching cross-country eight month along to see her dad (Gene Simmons), an aging rocker, in Vegas. Just beyond the Oklahoma panhandle, in New Mexico, Mary is picked up by a most kind truck driver, Horace (Elliot Gould). He insists on the two of them stopping for a meal in a small town with an Indian casino. Once there, they get a good meal and Horace ogles the showgirls, especially Darnella (Linda Gray). Unknown to all was H's health problems, as somewhere into the show he expires from a heart attack. Now, what will Mary do? Darnella won't have her on the road again alone and takes her home for the night. In the crazy trailer park where she lives is wacky mother Annie (Cloris Leachman), perpetually grumpy owner (Della Reese) and assorted other eccentrics. Next morning, Darnella gives Mary the bus money to get to Vegas. THAT turns out wrong, too, as her father is about to embark on a world tour with his tired old rock band. Not knowing where to to, Mary heads back to Darnella, who already has great affection for the teen. The two of them will prepare for the young girl's pregnancy. Into this mixed affair comes a news article about the showgirls, which is published where snooty mama can see it. Here she comes to the Southwest to "rescue" her daughter from casinos and trailer parks, in a VW bug with a red nose no less! With Mary is still very unsure of her future role as a mother herself, how will things shake down for all? Especially when Darnella sees Mary as the daughter she gave up long ago to adoption? This lovely movie is most unusual but meaningful flick for the holidays or anytime. The setting in the desert is quite unique while the actors are all great. Meanwhile, the costumes are bizarre but eye-catching, as befitting the offbeat characters, while the script has many twists and turns, from comic to tear-generating, but never lacks power. The same goes for the secure direction. There is a great bounty of Christmas movies in the universe but this one stands out, yes. Its not a fairy tale Holiday fantasy but one that tries to address serious issues with humor and feeling.
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