The Christmas Bunny (2010) User Reviews

Superior Christmas family film

[MattyGibbs · 7/10 · 1 December 2011]

This is a charming family film about a recently fostered young girl who has trouble communicating until she finds an injured rabbit.

The film explores the problem of loneliness through the eyes of both the young girl and an old lady who cares for injured animals. The film steers clear of the usual schmaltz served up in most Christmas movies and is realistic in it's portrayal of how children actually behave.

The script and performances of the cast are far above most made for TV movies. What struck me most was the cinematography which was superb. It seemed like a much higher budget film.

It's not a film that will change your life but it is more than worth a watch with the family in the run up to Christmas.

This is for the bunny lover in you

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 5 June 2012]

Let me make one thing clear from the start: This is aimed at a young audience, it is very slow with an idea that is not original and was most likely made for TV. Those are factors you have to let flow into your vote and/or summary of the movie. You cannot compare this to big time cinema. I can still see that some people would have trouble and seeing this as a waste of their time.

After this foreword (or warning if you will), I can tell you, that as someone who loves animals in general and bunnies more specifically, you will enjoy the movie. You'll probably yearn for more bunny time, but you won't get more. The story might be a bit more out there and not as kid friendly as some might expect either. Still the overall message is clear. The girl actress is really good, which only really is being revealed when you watch the Outtakes on the DVD. Plus the old lady is based on a real person (as you can witness on one of the short features of the Disc)

In between Hallmark and Lifetime

[mideleon · 7/10 · 22 December 2013]

I usually hate movies like this, but I actually enjoyed this one. Probably because it was a little darker than I expected. Not as "uplifting" as a Hallmark movie, but not as melodramatic as standard Lifetime fare. The cinematography has a nice indie feel to it rather than a sterile TV movie look. I thought the gloomy Michigan winter nicely framed the uncertain financial prospects of the dad and also the isolation of the girl. Though I wish the relationship between the rabbit lady and the girl had been developed a lot more since they were both so emotionally shutdown. Nevertheless, Florence Henderson did a great job in a role that played against her usual chirpy persona. I actually didn't recognize her until I saw the credits.

a pretty sweet little Christmas movie

[lindsayaspin · 7/10 · 14 February 2013]

This little-known Christmas movie is pretty cute. It comes off as a bit low-budget, mostly because the acting by most of the adults is less than impressive, but the little girl does a good job of playing the gloomy foster child in need of security and affection. Florence Henderson is also fun to watch.

All of the rabbit care described in the movie is surprisingly accurate. Whoever wrote the film obviously has experience with rabbits. They did a wonderful job of illustrating how sensitive these animals are, and that they frequently do not belong in the hands of young children, especially without some firm guidance.

There are some heavy Christian overtones in this movie. I am not religious, but that doesn't bother me in movies. However it is a bit silly/over-the-top at some moments.

This story is pretty refreshing; it confronts a lot of family issues that are not acknowledged in a lot of holiday movies. Definitely worth watching for animal-lovers, people with children who are animal-lovers, and pretty much anyone who can appreciate a simple, cute family movie.

Charming but not overly sweet, with lessons on responsibility

[vchimpanzee · 2 January 2014]

Sophia Bolen does a great job. She doesn't have to say much, and when she does talk, she shows a wide range.

If you're looking for Carol Brady, look somewhere else. Florence Henderson does an outstanding job but looks her age at long last; Betsy has made no effort to look good. Her personality is more Martha Raye or Sophia Petrillo than what Henderson has given us over the years. And that's fine. She is kind and loving in her way. This is not a sweet movie, but it is touching, and Betsy has a lot to teach about responsibility.

Faith is included in this movie as well. Patti has it but Scott is about to lose his.

While the movie had a TV-G rating, that doesn't mean it is without concerns. Julia's mother did abuse her, though she hits a camera showing Julia's point of view, not the girl. She is dressed for a hot date, but some of what is said about her suggests she was a prostitute. Plus she sold drugs. In addition, Julia, having been abused, also abuses.

Overall, this is a fine family film.

You need to hire ME to proof your filming prior to release

[itisme-10743 · 4/10 · 17 December 2017]

So many huge mistakes in this from the start. First the bunny that was shot was wearing a ribbon on it's neck, the dad says it probably belongs to someone in the area...duh. Next scene no ribbon on the bunny! Then when the boys put the bunny in the buggy....the parents were angry about her biting the kid and no one even picked up the bunny! Then...the girl leaves tracks in the snow....the dad finds them but calls rescue and a dog to search! Hummm follow the snow tracks...it's not rocket science people! I'm not working...shoot I'll take a job and actually not let ignorant stuff get thru to the release! Uuuuggggghhhhh

Not too sweet

[carolhowker-85916 · 7/10 · 23 November 2017]

Pleasant little film. Not too saccharin for a Christmas film. Lead child actress is very good and believable....one thing though, the 2 boys/characters need some help. 1st they shoot the bunny and then they put it in some weird pram with rocks and push it down a homemade bob sleigh ramp (I got the feeling the cousin was the instigator) I would have bitten the little bastard too!

Terrible!

[wendywright5932 · 1/10 · 22 March 2012]

I can't help but wonder if the person who wrote the other review actually SAW the movie. It looked like a cute idea and my 5 year old begged to watch it. I don't let her watch much TV and she was very excited to be allowed to watch this.

It had a slow, boring plot line. I found it to be a complete WASTE of our time!!!! The little girl is mute so that adds a lot of silence and limits the dialogue.

The parents fight, the little girl is weird and sometimes violent. Not only was it very uninteresting it was also a little disturbing for my daughter to watch because of the parents always arguing.

I really wish I wouldn't have let my daughter watch this movie...it was a complete failure as far as I was concerned.

You're No Bunny Until Some Bunny Loves You!

[Sylviastel · 9/10 · 23 September 2017]

I just love rabbits and bunnies. I have had my share of pet rabbits over the years. This film has Florence Henderson as Betsy Ross aka the Bunny Lady in Michigan. The film unfolds as a young foster girl named Julia is sent to a rural town to live with a struggling family, the Coopers. They have a son, Billy. The film was shot entirely on location in Michigan so there is lots of snow everywhere. The film takes place around Christmastime. On Christmas Eve when the boys shoot a b.b. gun at the rabbit, the family seeks to rescue and heal it. The veterinarian recommends the bunny lady aka Betsy Ross who helps him heal at her place. Henderson is completely unrecognizable as Betsy Ross. She played her perfectly in this film. The entire cast does a remarkable job in their roles. The film doesn't try to be overly preachy, corny, or sentimental at times.

Good Movie

[lantzlionheart · 6/10 · 31 December 2017]

The only thing I didn't like about this movie was toward the end when she ran off through the woods with the bunny and left clear tracks in the snow and no one thought to follow them to find her. Even cops know to follow tracks in the snow.

Heartwarming

[dgcrow · 8/10 · 20 December 2018]

My wife and I were surprised by well done this movie really is. It deals with some pretty serious issues in an honest yet ultimately heartwarming way. Well worth watching.

Excellent family weekend afternoon Christmas movie! 7 Stars from me!

[huggibear · 7/10 · 24 December 2017]

This movie is 7 years old at the time I'm writing this and I've never seen it. It was televised on the CW high-definition channel. It's a great story for all those family members who want pets, have pets or will have them some day. Whether they be dogs, cats, rabbits, etc., it doesn't matter. There's a great message for them in this movie. It's definitely a family drama and very dramatic it is without an understatement of the affect it might have on the little children who watch it with the all those young parents. Another review says this isn't as kid friendly as one might think, but I disagree. This is a case of 'boys will be boys' in this movie. Hence, what boys did, might be one of the reasons why most women get divorced at least once because women don't tend to agree with half of what men do in this world. It might stem from their childhood of mischief. But the movie was really good. I wish the biological mom would have been at least a little involved, but the point about the movie was clear....FAMILY! They look out for each other and that's the way it should be. Just watch it and form your own opinion because most people can have an opinion, but no one else's opinion matters except your own...in my honest opinion *chuckle*.

Beautiful, Meaningful Film For All Ages

[seedega · 9/10 · 2 November 2012]

I won't go into story or plot details. I will say this movie reveals enduring truths in an artful, unadorned way. It is thoughtfully written, well-acted, and beautifully filmed. Florence Henderson, in particular, is a joy to watch. The arcs of each character contribute to and reflect the theme. The theme concerns the ways in which we close or open ourselves to the power of love (both giving and accepting), and how that impacts our becoming fully who we are meant to be. Yes, it's a Christmas movie in a thematically serious way. The story is a call not to hold ourselves removed, self-concerned, isolated and separate from others. It's a meditation on the love of Christ for us, and a beckoning to open our hearts to the reality of that love, that we may respond to it, act on it, and be elevated and redeemed.

Cute

[artpf · 8/10 · 5 October 2013]

Very cute and personal story.

Little girl is adopted and won't really talk until she finds a bunny that was shot with a BB gun. The story takes a turn and nursing the bunny back to health helps the little girl get back into society.

According to IMDb this film was made for under $400K. The acting, directing, and writing is actually darn good for that little bit of money.

It's a good family movie they don't seem to make any more. Best part -- no Katy Perry or Lady Gaga squeezing out every cent they can from unsuspecting kids by putting their auto tuned voices into the sound track.

As an aside, I'm 90% certain I heard some one early in the film call the bunny an Easter bunny. If my memory holds, not sure why the movie is called the Christmas Bunny!

Not that it matters.

It's a neat small heart warming movie with a story that is actually believable.

very touching in the tradition of Bambi (1942)

[mikedonn71 · 9/10 · 6 June 2012]

I really liked everything about this movie. Its lack of special effects and big budget make the characters more intimate. As other reviewers have said the little girl is a fine actress.

The rating is PG, as it contains some sad plot elements (a foster child missing her blood mother, animals being injured by BB guns, etc.) that a very small child would possibly find upsetting. The rabbit, Rumple, is adorable. Perhaps I have a bias, as I have a beautiful lop myself (Smokey). The rabbit's timidity made him seem more important to the little girl, who is also shy and afraid of her new, adopted family.

The family are nice, however. The mother's Christian faith isn't mocked or made fun of by the filmmakers either, which is refreshing. In a big budget, Hollywood production she'd be a lovable buffoon at best or a psychotic lunatic at worst for worshiping Christ.

It seems quite the opposite of a "dumb, made-for-TV movie" as another review put it. Most children would be delighted with the film for all of its charms. The rabbit lady is the most interesting adult in the film, but you should watch the film to find out why. As a middle aged adult male, I thought the film was nice.

Really moving

[ldinthestudio · 9/10 · 13 December 2014]

Really loved the film- only wished the girl had been a little more grateful to the lady who looked after her rabbit.I'm not sure about the realism of feeding Candy to a rabbit as I never would dream of it plus I don't believe many bunnies would even want it. It reminded me of my own emotional connection to a bunny I used to have and it also very moving that it enabled them to create a family. Was quite distressing and emotional in places. I wasn't sure about the decision not to get another companion for the rabbit. From my own experience of keeping rabbits, they can get very lonely and aggressive if left alone regularly.

Great holiday movie

[blahblahblah91 · 8/10 · 21 November 2019]

There aren't many holiday movies that don't have the "and love was there all along" premise, it gets REALLY boring and typical. Anyway, this movie has story, feeling, substance. And I adore it

Very heartwarming....

[froghevin · 10/10 · 25 November 2019]

Love love this movie! I especially can relate and understand more about the hardships in MI bc I only live 1 hr from where it takes place, Grandville MI and 20 min from Lansing, MI mentioned in the movie. Plus I had a pet rabbit as a kid. It's nice to see movies about other pets besides the most common; cats, dogs, horses.. Also I love the story of The Velveteen Rabbit.

Pretty emotional

[GMGoodwrenchGirl · 8/10 · 28 December 2020]

This movie tore my heart apart into little pieces throughout and slowly put it back together again. Not a super-happy Christmas movie, but don't despair...it gets there in the end. No person or animal dies. You just have to decide if want to be brought down in order to be brought back up again in a Christmas movie.

I thought it was very good, and had a lot of real-world situations in it...i.e., not a Hallmark fairyland. I'm also pretty sure young children would not be okay with this...too emotional and takes some maturity to understand what is going on. Not sure I would watch this every Christmas, but it is a good story.

I will say I found the boy of the family to be a potential psychopath if they don't get him under control. I know. It's a movie. Still true.

People who aren't sensitive, aren't animal lovers and don't have empathetic tendencies will probably disagree with my take on this. As I always say, to each his own.