A Bluegrass Christmas is a wonderful film, which features inspirational bluegrass music, centering on Christmas tunes, fine actors, and an interesting storyline. Starring Amanda Jordan as Katie Pendleton, David Pinard as Grant Breckenridge, and Shaun Johnston as Ben “Granddaddy” Pendleton, also known as “Old Hickory,” the cast all give strong and believable character performances.
Well-known featured songs include Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Jingle Bells, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and O Come All Ye Faithful. Amanda, as Katie, has a strong and lovely voice, as do the others. This holiday romance movie is sure to please various audiences.
The opening of the film features winter scenes and snow, and the viewer learns that Katie’s family has maintained a horse sanctuary, “Fields of Blue,” and a certain client, Jim Breckenridge (Mike Shara) wants his horse released to run in a race. This is despite the fact that Katie has told Jim that the horse is recovering from an injury and is not ready to race. He could be permanently harmed.
Breckenridge says he will pull his funding from the sanctuary, and he is the largest contributor in keeping it open year-round, which allows Katie to work with the horses, which she loves. Breckenridge plans to bet on the race and wants his horse in the race no matter what.
Ironically, Breckenridge’s son, Grant, enters Katie’s life and he likes her. He attempts to persuade his father to keep his annual support with Katie and her family, but he tells his son that he loves him, but no.
Katie turns to her grandfather for support. “Granddaddy” used to play bluegrass music with the Blue Mountain Revival Boys but since his wife, Katie’s grandmother, passed twenty years earlier, he no longer has any interest in playing music. Katie comes up with a plan to have a fundraiser but he refuses to become involved. He’s well-known in the area and his involvement could impact donations, and although he loves Katie, he stubbornly refuses to help.
Grant and Katie solicit the help of the remaining Blue Mountain Revival Boys, who are only too eager to help do a benefit concert. However, when Granddaddy learns of it, he refuses to become a part of it and is quite angry with Katie. He tells her, “You cannot have my band.” Katie and Grant try to elicit the help of a well-known singer with many hit songs, Claire Crosby (Chelsea Green). She is touring but promises to work the fundraiser into her busy schedule. When Katie tells the Blue Mountain Revival Boys that Claire Crosby is going to sing instead at the benefit, they are not happy. It seems that keeping her horse sanctuary in business is going to take a miracle.
On top of all the drama, Katie and Grant like one another but all the stress complicates their relationship. Katie decides to ask Granddaddy to meet her at her grandmother’s grave in the cemetery, and she makes a plea for him to join his old band one more time and help her. Will it work? Will there be a reconciliation between Granddaddy and his old band? Will Katie and Grant work things out? And will the horse sanctuary be saved? You will have to check this movie out, due to be released in November on the Inspiration Channel, and later on DVD. But there are some twists and nice surprises in the movie. It does a good job of sharing Christian themes, including forgiveness, and Christian and inspirational songs.
Think About It: The movie contains some good discussion topics for parents and children and indeed for the entire family. It features topics such as forgiveness, holding grudges, the importance of family, and also the importance of treating animals well. Due to the tension and a few arguments between characters in the movie, we are recommending the film for Ages 12+, although some parents will be fine with younger children watching it. Consult our Content listing to help make informed decisions.
The Dove Take: The wonderful music, romance, and story combine to make this an enjoyable watch for families, Ages 12+.
