Christmas Cottage

A UC Berkeley fine arts student who returns home for Christmas. He starts with a reluctance to paint a mural but soon embraces a larger mission inspired by Placerville’s stories. The project becomes a bridge between his ambitions and his family's need, pushing him toward personal growth and responsibility.

Tom’s brother who helps around the house and with community tasks. He takes on odd jobs to raise money and supports his mother and Tom, bridging cynicism with a willingness to work hard. His efforts with Big Jim’s Christmas display show his practical, loyal nature.

The family matriarch facing foreclosure who bears her troubles with quiet dignity. She prioritizes her children's well-being and refuses to burden them, yet she remains steadfast in caring for others. Her pride and resilience anchor the film’s emotional core.

An aging painter who becomes Tom’s mentor, whose hands are failing but whose wisdom about art and the soul motivates the mural. He urges Tom to treat art as a way to touch people and to persevere despite hardship. His death immediately after delivering a final painting marks a poignant turning point in the story.

Glen’s San Francisco art dealer who reluctantly communicates that Tom’s work isn’t yet market-ready. He represents the art world’s skepticism and offers a glimpse into the tension between commercial value and artistic merit.

The cranky neighbor with an over-the-top Christmas display who embodies neighborhood rivalry. His banners and lights become a comic but telling symbol of the town’s holiday spirit and its sometimes risky tinkering with electricity.

The father who abandoned the family and arrives with little money. His presence exposes old wounds but also triggers moments of confrontation and potential reconciliation as the family pursues a shared goal.

Tom’s girlfriend from the city who dismisses the mural at first and eventually leaves after a disagreement. Her visit creates tension but also clarifies Tom’s priorities as he chooses home and art over a cosmopolitan life.

The real Thomas Kinkade appears in the film’s final moments, painting a signature image on cue. His cameo lends meta-context to Tom’s journey and ties the narrative to the artist’s own legacy.