“The Christmas Tree” is a movie I discovered on YouTube several years ago. I was mainly attracted to it because (1) it is a Christmas movie and (2) it stars Andrew McCarthy.

The movie also stars Julie Harris and Trini Alvarado and it’s directed by Sally Field. That alone should make you want to watch it.

It was a made-for-TV movie released on December 22, 1996. It’s about Rockefeller Center’s head gardener Richard Reilly (McCarthy) who befriends an elderly nun Sister Anthony (Harris)–mainly because he wants her tree as the star of the show at Rockefeller Center.

The film is very touching and emotional at times, reflecting upon Sister Anthony’s past and how she came to arrive at the convent and her love of the tree that Richard so dearly wants for Rockefeller Center. It also mixes in Richard’s relationship problems and job issues (such as having a tree lined up and it falling through and the continuous trying to convince Sister Anthony to let go of her tree).

The movie is interesting for anyone who may have wondered about what goes into choosing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. It doesn’t show/tell you everything, but you can get the idea.

I won’t spoil the ending, in case you wish to see it. It’s still on YouTube. In fact, I have recently started re-watching it and once again, enjoying it so much.