Christmas in the Clouds

2001 Comedy

Ray (Tim Vahle) has just returned from college to run a Native-American ski lodge. A laid-back place where employees' children play in the lobby and the handyman has a habit of macking on guests, the lodge isn't exactly four-star travel guide material. So when Ray learns that a travel guide representative is coming to make an inspection, he makes an executive decision to make the lodge a professional place of business. In addition to keeping his father, who happens to be the hotel's former manager, out of his way, he also has to contend with his somewhat eccentric staff, which includes an emotional vegetarian chef (Graham Greene) who takes a certain pleasure in informing his diners of the names he has given the animals they're eating. Despite Ray's exhaustive preparations, something, of course, goes wrong: something that, in this case, turns out to be a case of mistaken identity: when Tina, a comely Mohawk woman, shows up at the lodge, Ray assumes her to be the representative, and sets about giving her the royal treatment while the actual representative (M. Emmet Walsh) is ignored and must contend with a hefty dose of hotel mismanagement. Christmas in the Clouds was an audience favorite at the 2002 Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema. more..

Director: Kate Montgomery

Starring: Timothy Vahle, Sam Vlahos, Mariana Tosca, M. Emmet Walsh, Graham Greene

Reviews

  • There will be holiday pictures that are more high-tech than this one, more sensational, with bigger stars and higher budgets and indeed greater artistry. But there may not be many with such good cheer.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • A sweet-natured holiday comedy that derives no small amount of specialness and energy from the fact that the movie offers a glimpse of contemporary American Indian life.

    Kirk Honeycutt - The Hollywood Reporter

    19 January 2013

  • A wisp of a movie so bursting with good cheer that even its sole meanie is given a personality makeover before the end credits.

    - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • The fact that it was shot at the picturesque Utah resort is a huge plus and the film is so unabashedly eager to please.

    Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide

    19 January 2013

  • An old-fashioned and family-friendly comedy.

    Walter Addiego - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Competition Feature Film

    Austin Film Festival (2001)

  • Best Native American-Themed Film

    Santa Fe Film Festival (2001)