Siblings Josh and Jennifer are coping with the loss of their father, who disappeared in a float plane accident on Christmas Eve one year ago. While Josh scours the Internet for proof that his father is still alive, Jennifer rebels against his denial and their mother Marcia's efforts to return the family to normalcy. When Marcia insists that Josh and Jennifer spend Christmas Eve with relatives, the children instead set out for Stanley Park to honour their father’s memory. Trapped by a catastrophic storm, the children are rescued by Skookum Pete, a strange vagabond who takes them to a fantastical bunker beneath the Prospect Point café, where they experience wondrous visions that help them understand the truth about their father and the healing power of love.
Kanagawa is an agile writer—often coming at things from surprising angles—and the overall effect of this script, which I recommend for kids as well as adults, is that it’s so moving that I had to work hard to stifle what could have been very loud sobs.
Be prepared to use your imagination, your sense of wonder and yes, even your heart strings will be pulled.