Jerome McCollom Awful, simply awful. The atheist who returns to the town after 20 years, seems like an embittered and angry man, out on a personal vendetta against the heroic Christian mayor.The premise is that the mayor is building (and using some city funds) to build a stand outside of the town's city hall, for Christmas. There will be Christian decorations displayed along with more secular Christmas decorations. So this evil atheist type files an injunction to stop work on this stand.Now, atheists aren't the only people who support keeping government and religion untangled, many Christians (though usually not evangelical types) also favor that. Atheists aren't out on personal vendettas against some Christian mayor or politician when we do so. Also, the "Merry Christmas" banner is moved because of this injunction. Frankly, no atheist has ever objected to a "Merry Christmas" sign, even in front of a courthouse.In fact, I don't know if any church/state or atheist group would even object to this stand, unless it solely has Christian symbols. Atheists just want neutrality or at least, an open forum. Have Christian symbols such as a nativity scene, fine, but allow a display of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.The Christian mayor in one scene recites the free exercise clause of religion, which for some reason makes this evil atheist type, say touché. That seems to imply the atheist knows he is violating the free exercise rights of the residents, but there is of course no free exercise right to have the government put up a display, even if not centered around Christian images solely.This movie was produced by people who seem to have never met an actual atheist in their lives. Full of fear and straw man. If I could give a negative star, I would.

fuzzhead72 I had never even heard of this movie when I saw that our local second run theater was screening it, but decided to give it a chance after watching the trailer. (and especially since it is the week before Christmas, and it seemed very relevant) I was not left with a "schmaltzy" (is that a word?) feeling of having my emotions manipulated, after watching this. The acting was spot-on and the characters were believable, thanks to the script. I really feel that the movie is one of the few to have a realistic discussion about conflict that can arise due to free speech/expression of religion on one hand, and diversity of belief on the other. It also has some entertaining subplots. When I looked over to see how my daughter was reacting, I was happy to see a big smile on her face several times during the show, so evidently she really enjoyed it as well.

Gloria Smith This is a movie where the protagonists actually act like adults at the end: They agree to disagree. How refreshing! The sour note is the "performance" of Christian "comedian" Brad Stine, who (as I heard from people who were involved in the making of the film) refused to follow the script, and insisted on improvising his own lines, which are neither funny nor do they advance the plot in any way.It's obvious from seeing this film that Stine also refused to take direction and the result is that every time Stine appears on the screen, the film comes to a screeching halt while he pontificates about this and that.The film would be much improved if it could be re-edited and Stine's "performance" left on the cutting room floor. The film would be tighter and more coherent without Stine's bloviating, ego-centric ranting.One thing that no one has mentioned is the lovely score by Edwin Wendler. Sadly, the manager of the group which sings the end credits song (and on whose song the plot is loosely based) refused to allow Mr Wendler and his representatives to issue a soundtrack album for this film, which is a real shame. Apparently the manager thought that someone might confuse his fifth rate song with Wendler's first rate score.Those who are interested can hear four excerpts from Wendler's score here: http://www.edwinwendler.com/?p=408. (I don't know Mr Wendler, and I have no financial interest in his music, I just think that it's a shame that this lovely music should go mostly unheard.) 9 out of 10 if Brad Stine were to be removed from the film.

ectogwarb I haven't seen this movie, but I have to comment on the others reviews here. I hate how people are so quick to criticize and become "offended" at every little thing they can get their hands on these days. Christmas may have started as a Christian holiday, but now it is a secular holiday. It's Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, and every other winter gift giving season in one. There are a lot of people of every faith that celebrate Christmas. It's a time to set aside to be nice to each other, spread a little more love than the rest of the year, give and get gifts that say "you're special to someone" and generally feel better than the rest of the year. There's not a lot to feel nice about these days, and the fact that people attack the celebration of Christmas because it happened once to be a Christian holiday is abhorrent. It didn't even start as a Christian holiday. It used to be a pagan holiday and was turned into a day to celebrate Christ's birth because it was convenient for the church because everyone was celebrating at that time anyway. It has changed again. Ask almost any child who they think of when they think of Christmas and they won't say Jesus, they'll say Santa Claus. I would say you should be ashamed of yourselves for denigrating something that should make everyone feel better about everyone else, but it's Christmas time, so I'll just say Merry Christmas to you all, regardless of religion, and consider this message strongly the next time you think about badmouthing Christmas.