The Christmas Chain is a movie that draws you into its charms. The story is engaging and the end goal of trying to obtain a kidney donation for two different characters is compelling.
Two brothers who are soldiers board a train heading home for Christmas. Dezmond, called Dez (Stephen Wesley Green), and Jerome (Tyler Andrews) meet up with some interesting people while on board. The group includes Sabrina (Carissa Murray) who is part of the Star-Spangled Spirit Band. This band includes the friendly Elliot (Logan Coffey), as well as others. Also on board, perhaps more than coincidentally, is Dr. Olivia Pierce (Chelsea Gilson), who is a kidney specialist. It is soon revealed that Jerome is in need of a kidney after having been injured by a sharp metal object.
The travelers all hit it off and even decide to do a Secret Santa gift exchange, just based on what is available on the train. As they ride the Historic Holiday Railway, a 1928 passenger car, it seems as if destiny brought them all together. Many of them are dealing with various concerns, but as Dez and Jerome’s mother says to their sister Mary in a scene at Mary’s home—“The Lord didn’t put us here to worry.”
With the holiday spirit kicking in, the various characters share what their favorite Christmas traditions are. Elliot lists the mistletoe tradition, Sabrina picks caroling, and Dr. Olivia Pierce chooses picking out the Christmas tree. Of course, Christmas cookies are also mentioned. Sabrina loses what she considers her lucky lipstick, and Jerome will play a part in the search as the movie progresses.
Dez and Jerome and members of the band soon meet a group of veterans on the train who are a short distance away from being let off in Newark, to get back to their assisted living home. Veteran actor Eric Roberts plays Al, one of the veterans headed home. Jerome tells the vets he’s from Fort Belvoir.
Sabrina sings “Deck the Halls” with a lovely voice for the vets. After an electrical problem, the train has to stop and Sabrina, Jerome, Dez, and the rest of the group head into town, and they find a diner to stop in for a bite. The manager, Tom Sullivan (played by veteran actor Michael Paré), is a bit gruff but takes their orders.
Without spoiling the plot, we learn that Sabrina’s grandmother passed from a failed kidney, and that Tom also has a failing kidney. He offers up hot cider to the gang and he talks with Dr. Pierce about his situation. The emphasis on kidney donations is a nice part of this film. The viewer soon learns the meaning of the phrase “The Chain” as it refers to those who donate kidneys and how, sometimes, someone they know has one donated to them. With its wonderful festive mood, Christmas songs, and important theme of kidney donations, the movie is an uplifting experience.
Content Analysis: The movie contains some Christian themes and the inclusion of several Christmas songs including “O Holy Night.”
Think About It: Some great discussion topics include how the good we do will come back to us, and the importance of organ donations as well as doing other good deeds to benefit others. There is the use of mild language with one “He*l,” and a couple of “OMG” comments and “Butts.” But the wonderful story and finding out people can be more caring than one first realizes, are great holiday—and everyday—themes. Also, the delay of the train due to mechanical failure allows the characters to go to a diner where they find out some good news, so the point is made that God has a purpose in the delays we encounter.
The Dove Take: This movie contains important themes such as the importance of family and giving of oneself to others, and it has earned our Dove Seal for Ages 12+.
