Andrew McCarthy stars in this film. I am not sure if he is playing the part as "Too old" or it was poorly executed screenplay. Now the general outline of this film got me interested so that it was I viewed it. The film started off okay but it slowly sank into the abyss of melodrama. Every plot point is telegraphed. Now I don't mind a "By The Numbers" story but I do mind a story that is poorly executed. In this film the "The National Tree" a father and son are en-route from Oregon to Washington DC to deliver the National Tree to DC. This film becomes a road trip but upon closer inspection you can tell that don't travel far. The terrain never changes. Funny that an ALL American STORY was produced by Canadian Production company! Andrew McCarthy is miscast. He is about 19-20 years too young for the part. He acts like a 70 year old. He alone sinks the movie. It could of been much better had almost anyone else was cast as the lead. There is plenty of enjoyable Christmas theme movies. This is not one of them

The main character, Rocky, is a blogger, so he makes vlogs, stop-motion videos, etc. Thus, there are stop-motion transitions throughout the movie that add some kitschy charm. Rocky is written as a realistic young adult; not moody and reclusive or syrupy sweet, like you normally see in holiday movies. He'd rather Skype with his friends and coordinate group collaboration projects than bond with his father where there's no wifi, but it's not like he's mean to his father. The plot is different from other holiday movies and it has a holiday flair without saturating you with the holiday spirit. The movie isn't too optimistic and doesn't have a lot of drama; it's just a son trying to win a contest in honor of his deceased mother. It's definitely one of the better holiday movies.

I thought it was a very touching movie, and the Teen character Rock was very likable. 2 Thumbs up for a loving Christmas Movie! Good job. A little different in the normal holiday theme, but it wouldn't be memorable if it followed the same old theme. It was great seeing Actor Andrew McCarthy in a movie again, even if he was a little hard to like in the beginning. I do recommend this film for family viewing, and it is perfect on the Hallmark channel. I've been very impressed with the holiday movies this year. Also for those of you interested in watching Hallmark Movies, may I also suggest ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and Lifetime's FaLaLaLa Lifetime.

The National Tree as a story hit home for me because I remember back in 1965 my mother planted a tree for my grandmother the same way that Andrew McCarthy planted a tree for his dead wife and the mother of Evan Williams. When in 1997 my brother and I sold the house the tree was still going strong. I've not gone back to Brooklyn to see if the tree is still there though. I hope it is.Which hangs the tale of The National Tree. That tree is saved because the President of the USA has chosen it to be the national Christmas tree to be lighted at the White House and replanted there. Otherwise it would have been scheduled to be bulldozed because Andrew McCarthy is selling off his property in Oregon. But since the tree is saved McCarthy and Williams are driving a big rig to Washington, DC to deliver it to the White House in person. Along for the ride are Kati Matchatt from the company who bought the property and are reaping the publicity and Paula Brancati a video chat room pal of Williams whom they meet in the flesh in Wyoming. In fact the scenes with Williams chatting with Brancati and his other pals around the world are the best in the film. In fact they are the hope of the world as young people make connections beyond national boundaries.The film is a pleasant two hours viewing with an easy to take cast and a story while not Citizen Kane is still entertaining.