Secret of Giving (1999)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Good concept, poorly executed.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Review Date 7/7/2018I Have Reviewed OVER 500 Christmas MOVIES. On all Christmas movies BEWARE OF FAKE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. Many reviewers have only have ONE REVIEW. When it's a POSITIVE REVIEW chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. If its a negative review then they may have a huge grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.The major flaw in this film is that at the time of filming Reba wass 44. Since "Reba" help produce this film (and it is just tv-film) the makers of the film let it slide. Had the the screenplay made her a "Woman on her own in the early 20th century" they would have had a better film. Although her age is never addressed in this film she has a child around eight. years old. So the part was written for a woman in her twenties. In all Reba makes fool of herself (again).Based on Jack Curtis' novel Christmas in Calico, this sentimental TV movie is set in Oregon in the early 1900s. Reba McEntire (who also produced) stars as widowed farmer Rose Cameron, who struggles to save her home from foreclosure, and to make enough money to pay for the medicine necessary to keep her sickly son Toby (Devon Alan). Nor is Rose the only person in town weighed down by problems: a well-organized gang, clearly bankrolled by someone with a lot of political pull, has been systematically stealing cattle, threatening to bankrupt everyone in the community. Enter a mysterious man on horseback named Harry Withers (Thomas Ian Griffith), an ex-outlaw determined to atone for his past by performing random acts of goodwill throughout the west.This film should be remade. The premise and overall story is good but this was a "Vanity Star Trip" for Reba. Only people that will love this film is the "Diehard fans of Reba McEntire". I am not one them

The movie is set in the prairies of Oregon during the Edwardian Era. Usually, period movies focus on well-off white people with large families. The lead in this movie, Rose, is a dirt poor woman who lives in a cabin with her ill son. The son is dying from the same ailment that killed his father. Unable to afford medicine until she sells the livestock, Rose goes to the Chinese community to barter their Eastern medicine in exchange for her selling their food and teaching them to read. To people who cringe at her selling Chinese food, she proudly proclaims that the Chinese built the railroad so we owe them our support. The contribution of minorities, immigrants, and women to our society throughout history is sorely lacking in movies and history books, making this a must-see movie.

This is one of the most unique and enjoyable Christmas movies I have seen. It is VERY well written and the cast is just perfect. This heart warming story is interesting from the very start and keeps you interested to the very end. Reba is outstanding in her role. Her acting is superb and makes her character extremely likable. Her son is just adorable. This holiday story has something for everyone: adventure, holiday music, friendships, loss, romance and a plot turn that warms the heart. The way this movie was filmed makes you feel like you are there with them. The town is just what you would expect to see in 1903. You will want to watch this fun movie more than once.

I guess I'm just too sentimental when it comes to the holidays. This film was on TV Thanksgiving Night and it brought the day to a close just perfectly. I do hope that it will be repeated at some time or another. My family and I really did enjoy it. If you get a chance to view it; please do so, you won't be sorry.