94 reviews
First off I would like to say that this movie should have had a PG rating and not a G rating. Most young children between the ages 4 through 10 are not going to understand the plot or point to this film because it is kind of a dark and depressing film. Even though at the end Ginny turned out to like Christmas, throughout the movie was very tense especially the scene where Harry kills Jack at the bank. Even though it was all part of Ginny's dream by Gideon to like Christmas most young children are not going to understand that along with many other scenes in her dream. So, the bottom line is if you have young children between the ages of 4 to 10 sit with them when they watch this movie because it may frighten them like it did me when I was 5 years old.
- morrowman2
- Aug 25, 2005
- Permalink
I thought i had it all under control, but this film has flipped under my radar ...till now. weirdly enough,cause its a disney production,i thought i had all of them.
one magic christmas is of the old school innocent 1980's x-mas film productions,aboutnon believers,empty wallet,jobless, cold blistering snowy weather ,magic angels(i wouldve been scared by harry dean stanton as an angel), northpole,santas work shop, not filled with elves,but old crumbling people,and a miracle++ in the end.
its jolly enough, its just so dead slow,and nearly takes the spirit away,but it pravails at the end. i miss the traditional x-mas calender that have become a main subject in 90% of newer productions.
the acting are at average standard,who got me most excited were the santa claus himsel, a very truthful act indeed.
its a recommended x-mas movie
one magic christmas is of the old school innocent 1980's x-mas film productions,aboutnon believers,empty wallet,jobless, cold blistering snowy weather ,magic angels(i wouldve been scared by harry dean stanton as an angel), northpole,santas work shop, not filled with elves,but old crumbling people,and a miracle++ in the end.
its jolly enough, its just so dead slow,and nearly takes the spirit away,but it pravails at the end. i miss the traditional x-mas calender that have become a main subject in 90% of newer productions.
the acting are at average standard,who got me most excited were the santa claus himsel, a very truthful act indeed.
its a recommended x-mas movie
One Magic Christmas seems to fall under the category of fantasy films that are suitable for the whole family, but especially relevant to adults. Like E.T. the movie is designed to tug at the heartstrings, and in the beginning it will initially strike viewers as somewhat heavy-handed and sad. But this film is worth sticking with, and it lives up to its title.
I went into this movie expecting a somewhat conventional Hollywood fable...complete with gooey sentiment and multiple climaxes. What I got instead was a thoroughly engaging, sensitively directed film that left me with a genuinely warm feeling in my heart, following in the tradition of It's A Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol. One Magic Christmas is a touching story with an ending that pays off. It should be a must see on everybody's list during the holiday season!!
I went into this movie expecting a somewhat conventional Hollywood fable...complete with gooey sentiment and multiple climaxes. What I got instead was a thoroughly engaging, sensitively directed film that left me with a genuinely warm feeling in my heart, following in the tradition of It's A Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol. One Magic Christmas is a touching story with an ending that pays off. It should be a must see on everybody's list during the holiday season!!
- rejoefrankel
- Dec 7, 1999
- Permalink
- ironhorse_iv
- Dec 23, 2013
- Permalink
This film has had mixed reviews and I can understand why. There are far too many North American families who were born post 1970's who have never had to want for very much. Those reviewers who lived above a blue collar lifestyle with regular restaurant meals and three (3) or more cars in their double garages, would not understand the reality of a family facing hard times .
Actress Mary Steenburgen who plays a working mother named Ginny Grainger, who works at the local grocery store as a cashier is struggling financially to keep a roof over her children's heads and Christmas time is more of a nightmare experience than a dream filled with chocolates and plum pudding as some of these other reviewers may have experienced annually.
Ginny's angel named Gideon is played uncharacteristically by actor Harry Dean Stanton. Gideon interacts with the entire Grainger family and he explains to the children how his own circumstances while on earth led him to become an angel placed back on earth to bring the spirit of Christmas back to the Grainger family.
This may be a bit different story line mixing death, crime and financial stresses all wrapped up in a perfectly tied bow of love and emotion in the true spirit of Christmas.
It is well worth watching on your Christmas list and don't believe any of the naysayers if you are truly a believer in the Christmas spirit!!!!!
An 8 out of 10 rating on the Christmas calendar scale.
Actress Mary Steenburgen who plays a working mother named Ginny Grainger, who works at the local grocery store as a cashier is struggling financially to keep a roof over her children's heads and Christmas time is more of a nightmare experience than a dream filled with chocolates and plum pudding as some of these other reviewers may have experienced annually.
Ginny's angel named Gideon is played uncharacteristically by actor Harry Dean Stanton. Gideon interacts with the entire Grainger family and he explains to the children how his own circumstances while on earth led him to become an angel placed back on earth to bring the spirit of Christmas back to the Grainger family.
This may be a bit different story line mixing death, crime and financial stresses all wrapped up in a perfectly tied bow of love and emotion in the true spirit of Christmas.
It is well worth watching on your Christmas list and don't believe any of the naysayers if you are truly a believer in the Christmas spirit!!!!!
An 8 out of 10 rating on the Christmas calendar scale.
- Ed-Shullivan
- Dec 24, 2019
- Permalink
- lisafordeay
- Dec 9, 2022
- Permalink
I thought this was one of the most depressing holiday movies I have ever seen--the others being THE Christmas WIFE and JACK FROST. All three movies are about death. If you LIKE being thoroughly depressed, then by all means watch this film or any of the others. In this film, the acting is good and some of the scenery (apart when people are dying) is lovely. But, I am worried that a clinically depressed person might accidentally see the film and do themselves in! Despite a "happily ever after" ending, the major portion of this film is one awful disaster following another. And, for some crazy reason, I DON'T WANT TO BE DEPRESSED when I watch a Christmas movie (I know this sounds crazy folks--after all, isn't bawling your eyes out and feeling miserable what the holidays are all about anyway?).
For a more uplifting viewing experience, try the forgotten HOUSE WITHOUT A Christmas TREE, George C. Scott's Christmas CAROL or A Christmas STORY instead--unless of course you like being miserable.
For a more uplifting viewing experience, try the forgotten HOUSE WITHOUT A Christmas TREE, George C. Scott's Christmas CAROL or A Christmas STORY instead--unless of course you like being miserable.
- planktonrules
- Dec 17, 2005
- Permalink
When One Magic Christmas came out in 1985 on TV, my mom recorded it on to a VHS tape. We had this beat up, bad copy of the movie. You had to turn the volume up all the way in order to hear anything, still this movie was amazing to me. Mary Steenbergen doesn't believe in Christmas or Santa. She is such a scrooge about the season, that not even her kids' excitement could change the way she feels. With an angels' help, her daughter Abby, tries to get her into the spirit. It's full of magic, adventure, enchantment, and many lessons learned. One Magic Christmas is funny, dramatic, and wholesome. It's one of those movies that you truly can watch with your whole family, and everyone will like it. My sister and I loved it so much when we were kids that we used to watch it year round. I love this movie very much. They just recently re-released it on DVD, so now I have a good copy of the movie that has meant so much to me growing up. I still say that it's one of my all time favorite movies!!!!
One Magic Christmas is a world away from the safe, schmaltzy family fluff Disney is responsible for today. It's actually quite a bleak, downbeat and miserable film for the most part, with realistic and mundane photography and a drab production design. All of this actually serves the film well, I must point out.
A young Mary Steenburgen (who has always been cast beyond her years thanks to her deep facial folds) plays a mum who is very emotionally subdued, she walks around in a daze, enjoying little of life. At Xmas her kids and husband are excited but she only worries about money and is brought down even further by people treating her badly.
An angel shows up and encourages her young daughter to help find 'the true meaning of Xmas' (a theme which is quite common in Xmas movies). The film then plays out as a cross between It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. It's effective, but it's not for everybody. I only saw it once before when I was 12, and I was depressed by it, but it's a welcome change of pace to the usual festive fare.
A young Mary Steenburgen (who has always been cast beyond her years thanks to her deep facial folds) plays a mum who is very emotionally subdued, she walks around in a daze, enjoying little of life. At Xmas her kids and husband are excited but she only worries about money and is brought down even further by people treating her badly.
An angel shows up and encourages her young daughter to help find 'the true meaning of Xmas' (a theme which is quite common in Xmas movies). The film then plays out as a cross between It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. It's effective, but it's not for everybody. I only saw it once before when I was 12, and I was depressed by it, but it's a welcome change of pace to the usual festive fare.
- CuriosityKilledShawn
- Dec 8, 2011
- Permalink
- gloomyrival
- Mar 11, 2007
- Permalink
One Magic Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. While I don't remember seeing it in the theater (apparantly I did, but I had just turned 3 years old), I watched our videotaped copy (recorded off of the Disney Channel circa 1986) so many times as a little girl(regardless of the season), the first few minutes of the tape literally wore out, filling with snow and static. This, and the fact that I had every line memorized, has become something of Christmas Lore in my family. Tonight (Christmas 2005), I watched the film again with my parents and sister for the first time in many years, and was stuck by several things: first, how well the film has held up over the last twenty-years; second, how special and unique the message is from "traditional" family holiday movies that were made in the 80s and 90s; and third, how I still remember many of the lines of dialog -- they are indelibly etched into my brain after literally hundreds of viewings.
"One Magic Christmas" is sort of an alternate take on "It's a Wonderful Life" -- centering around a family who has fallen on hard times with a mother who never says "Merry Christmas" and is generally devoid of any holiday sentiment altogether. Her daughter Abbie, together with the Christmas Angel Gideon, embark on a plan to help her re-find the Christmas spirit.
Mary Steenburgen is fantastic as the loving, but icy mother. Her performance is very real -- she is both funny and dramatic, and her character is developed in a way that most family films omit. Harry Dean Stanton is perfect as Gideon, the angel - calming and knowing. You believe he is who he says he is. The child actors in the film are equally fantastic. In a family film, the kids can either make it or break it. These children act like real kids -- they aren't trying to be cute for the camera (although they really are adorable -- and this is coming from someone who dislikes most children on TV/movies) and they hold their own with their adult counterparts with ease. The little girl that plays Abbie is effortless in her portrayal of a girl with an non-wavering belief in Santa Clause.
Honestly, one of the things I think that I like best about this film is how real it seems. Considering magic and faith are primary elements of the story - this really says something. The acting is so good, the dialog believable, that the more mystical situations do not seem out of bounds. The film also delves into darker, more realistic themes than you get in most family fare. This is really exceptional, especially considering this was a Disney picture. The ultimate message of the film is heartening and poignant - even for those of us who are grown and long-since stopped believing in Santa and magic.
This is one of those movies that just feels good to watch. I can honestly say, even if this film didn't have the sentimental value it does for me, I would still recommend it as an excellent Christmas movie.
"One Magic Christmas" is sort of an alternate take on "It's a Wonderful Life" -- centering around a family who has fallen on hard times with a mother who never says "Merry Christmas" and is generally devoid of any holiday sentiment altogether. Her daughter Abbie, together with the Christmas Angel Gideon, embark on a plan to help her re-find the Christmas spirit.
Mary Steenburgen is fantastic as the loving, but icy mother. Her performance is very real -- she is both funny and dramatic, and her character is developed in a way that most family films omit. Harry Dean Stanton is perfect as Gideon, the angel - calming and knowing. You believe he is who he says he is. The child actors in the film are equally fantastic. In a family film, the kids can either make it or break it. These children act like real kids -- they aren't trying to be cute for the camera (although they really are adorable -- and this is coming from someone who dislikes most children on TV/movies) and they hold their own with their adult counterparts with ease. The little girl that plays Abbie is effortless in her portrayal of a girl with an non-wavering belief in Santa Clause.
Honestly, one of the things I think that I like best about this film is how real it seems. Considering magic and faith are primary elements of the story - this really says something. The acting is so good, the dialog believable, that the more mystical situations do not seem out of bounds. The film also delves into darker, more realistic themes than you get in most family fare. This is really exceptional, especially considering this was a Disney picture. The ultimate message of the film is heartening and poignant - even for those of us who are grown and long-since stopped believing in Santa and magic.
This is one of those movies that just feels good to watch. I can honestly say, even if this film didn't have the sentimental value it does for me, I would still recommend it as an excellent Christmas movie.
- filmmakker
- Dec 24, 2005
- Permalink
An angel (Harry Dean Stanton) must show a mother (Mary Steenburgen) the true meaning of Christmas. It is not just presents and materialistic things, but the people she cares about.
What I enjoyed most about this film is how dark it is. Others have called it bittersweet, which may be fair, but it just has so much negativity in it. A mother who hates Christmas, a bank robber, three people who die...
Of course, the mother has some right to be upset. Her husband, as nice of a guy as he is, is something of a deadbeat. There is nothing wrong with wanting to open a bicycle shop... but, you know, it would not hurt to have a job in the meantime, even if it was just part-time. You have to have a home before you can do much else.
Gideon is a most unusual angel, and we could question the theology behind it. Angels are not generally dead humans, but a different creature entirely... and then, how does a Christmas angel differ from a standard angel? Apparently just being killed on Christmas? And it seems like others who die are sent to work for eternity in Santa's workshop. That is not my idea of heaven. But, oh well...
As a bonus, this film is the big screen debut of Elisabeth Harnois, Sarah Polley and Elias Koteas. That is quite a landmark all by itself.
What I enjoyed most about this film is how dark it is. Others have called it bittersweet, which may be fair, but it just has so much negativity in it. A mother who hates Christmas, a bank robber, three people who die...
Of course, the mother has some right to be upset. Her husband, as nice of a guy as he is, is something of a deadbeat. There is nothing wrong with wanting to open a bicycle shop... but, you know, it would not hurt to have a job in the meantime, even if it was just part-time. You have to have a home before you can do much else.
Gideon is a most unusual angel, and we could question the theology behind it. Angels are not generally dead humans, but a different creature entirely... and then, how does a Christmas angel differ from a standard angel? Apparently just being killed on Christmas? And it seems like others who die are sent to work for eternity in Santa's workshop. That is not my idea of heaven. But, oh well...
As a bonus, this film is the big screen debut of Elisabeth Harnois, Sarah Polley and Elias Koteas. That is quite a landmark all by itself.
- baboizwaycool4
- Nov 24, 2007
- Permalink
This is indeed an underrated Christmas classic! I saw this movie as a kid in the theater and my mom was a bit turned off by the disturbing nature of some scenes, but now that I've watched it as an adult, I love all the references to It's a Wonderful Life, and all the dark elements in the film. It's nice to see a holiday film that cuts through the schmaltz. People often label It's a Wonderful Life as being too sentimental and sappy, but seem to overlook the themes of suicide, child abuse, poverty and death that run throughout the film. Things have to hit rock bottom for George Bailey to see the value of his life, as is the case in this film. The sheer darkness of what could be, as shown by the angel Gideon, make Ginny's embracing the Christmas spirit all the more resonant.
- doom_conquers_all
- Dec 14, 2004
- Permalink
Mary Steenburgen is fine as Ginny Grainger, a wife and mom in a small town. She's just one of a number of people who are going through hard times. As a result, she's not exactly in the Christmas spirit. Assigned to make Ginny see the light again is guardian angel Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton), who also makes a connection to Ginny's daughter Abbie (Elisabeth Harnois).
This is a rather odd effort for the Disney company. While it may be sweetness and light at times, in the classic Disney tradition, it also goes to some rather dark places, surprisingly. It's not the harmless kind of trifle one could easily recommend for family viewing. Still, it IS Disney, so it never dwells too long on unpleasantness. It doesn't contain as much magic as one would think, going by that title. It spends some time in Santas' workshop, but the place looks like it was done on a budget. Visual effects are sparingly used, but the on location shooting in Canada does help to create a nice rural small-town-in-the-wintertime feeling.
It does benefit from appealing child actors (the adorable Harnois and Robbie Magwood as the Grainger children, a very young Sarah Polley in her film debut), and a rock-solid adult cast: Gary Basaraba as the dad / husband (a dreamer who yearns to open his own bike shop), Arthur Hill as the great-grandfather, an under-utilized Michelle Meyrink as a neighbour, Elias Koteas as a family friend, Wayne Robson as a townsperson with his own money problems, Jan Rubes as Santa Claus, Graham Jarvis as a realtor, and Timothy Webber as Ginny's boss. At first glance, Stanton DOES seem a highly unlikely choice for an angel character in a Disney film, but his warm presence really helps the film a lot.
Reasonably entertaining, but a little too uneven to be completely effective.
Six out of 10.
This is a rather odd effort for the Disney company. While it may be sweetness and light at times, in the classic Disney tradition, it also goes to some rather dark places, surprisingly. It's not the harmless kind of trifle one could easily recommend for family viewing. Still, it IS Disney, so it never dwells too long on unpleasantness. It doesn't contain as much magic as one would think, going by that title. It spends some time in Santas' workshop, but the place looks like it was done on a budget. Visual effects are sparingly used, but the on location shooting in Canada does help to create a nice rural small-town-in-the-wintertime feeling.
It does benefit from appealing child actors (the adorable Harnois and Robbie Magwood as the Grainger children, a very young Sarah Polley in her film debut), and a rock-solid adult cast: Gary Basaraba as the dad / husband (a dreamer who yearns to open his own bike shop), Arthur Hill as the great-grandfather, an under-utilized Michelle Meyrink as a neighbour, Elias Koteas as a family friend, Wayne Robson as a townsperson with his own money problems, Jan Rubes as Santa Claus, Graham Jarvis as a realtor, and Timothy Webber as Ginny's boss. At first glance, Stanton DOES seem a highly unlikely choice for an angel character in a Disney film, but his warm presence really helps the film a lot.
Reasonably entertaining, but a little too uneven to be completely effective.
Six out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Dec 4, 2018
- Permalink
"One Magic Christmas" is one of my all-time favorite movies. Not just favorite Christmas movies but favorite movies. I remember seeing this movie for the first time in the theater (MovieWorld, Douglaston, NY). I almost needed help walking out of the theater because I was emotionally draining by the end of the movie. Every time I finish watching this movie I'm a mess. "One Magic Christmas" touches me in a way few movies ever have. "One Magic Christmas" is in my Top 20 All-Time movies list. It's a classic.
Saw this in the theater when I was a kid.
As I've gotten older, I really appreciate the performances, particularly Gary Basarba & a young Elias Korea's as his brother.
& I think Harry Dean does a great as always, I think his role is only weird/creepy if you choose to see it that way.
This film has almost a 70s gritty feel, & I imagine the writers weren't necessarily intending it as a Disney thing w/a hallmark sounding title.
- mac-leaphart
- Dec 23, 2020
- Permalink
Let me begin by saying I love Mary Steenbergen. That being said, when I saw that she was in this, I thought "how bad could it be?"
Um, BAD. This is the darkest, weirdest, most uncomfortable movie I've seen in a while and calling it a Christmas movie only works in terms of the fact that it is set during Christmas. There is no joy, magic, or cheer to be found in this...ahem...holiday classic.
Three quarters of the way in, we were all baffled and uncomfortable but were too invested to turn it off. I seriously cannot comprehend that there are people who like this movie.
Even knowing that this movie was made in 1985, I can't find a logical excuse for any of what I'm watching right now. Yes, I'm currently still watching it, but it is SO BAD that I pulled up IMDb in the midst of viewing to write this warning to others. SKIP IT. OR watch it as a drinking game. But don't think you're getting a joyful Christmas Classic here. You aren't. Noooooo you are not.
Um, BAD. This is the darkest, weirdest, most uncomfortable movie I've seen in a while and calling it a Christmas movie only works in terms of the fact that it is set during Christmas. There is no joy, magic, or cheer to be found in this...ahem...holiday classic.
Three quarters of the way in, we were all baffled and uncomfortable but were too invested to turn it off. I seriously cannot comprehend that there are people who like this movie.
Even knowing that this movie was made in 1985, I can't find a logical excuse for any of what I'm watching right now. Yes, I'm currently still watching it, but it is SO BAD that I pulled up IMDb in the midst of viewing to write this warning to others. SKIP IT. OR watch it as a drinking game. But don't think you're getting a joyful Christmas Classic here. You aren't. Noooooo you are not.
- JessicaLSalmans
- Dec 23, 2014
- Permalink
I loved this movie it was very emotional had a great story and wonderful just wonderful ending
whats with the people saying the voice of the angel sounds like child molester !!! and saying this is not for children it's just a Christmas movie and theirs nothing scary or anything in it if you think this is bad for kids then what about scrooge or the Grinch lol can no one just watch a movie without bashing it anymore man i miss those days
besides it had a great story of a mother who has lost her Christmas spirit and needs help finding it and a lot of things happen a little dark but
another thing how can they call this movie violent was there blood if you don't like it leave it to yourself and stop wreaking it for everyone else
Sorry, but I will spoil both the plot line and the ending for you in hopes of avoiding a holiday fiasco like the one that I now face. The father dies and the mother asks Santa in a letter to bring him back to the family for Christmas,...and Santa does. Dad is peachy, happy healthy and totally unaware of the fact that he had died. All ends syrupy sweet.
But as a parent who recently watched my five year-old lose his best canine friend, it was a horror flick. Now my son is convinced that all he has to do to bring his buddy back is to ask Santa! Do not underestimate the willpower of a young heart- no amount of persuasion will convince him that it was only a movie and that his dog is NOT coming back for Christmas. It has been heart breaking to watch his joy only to know that Christmas Eve he will have to face his loss afresh.
Shame on you on behalf of all the believers that have lost a loved one recently. It is hard enough to deal with the loss one time for a child, but there are some wishes that we shouldn't even portray as a possibility.
But as a parent who recently watched my five year-old lose his best canine friend, it was a horror flick. Now my son is convinced that all he has to do to bring his buddy back is to ask Santa! Do not underestimate the willpower of a young heart- no amount of persuasion will convince him that it was only a movie and that his dog is NOT coming back for Christmas. It has been heart breaking to watch his joy only to know that Christmas Eve he will have to face his loss afresh.
Shame on you on behalf of all the believers that have lost a loved one recently. It is hard enough to deal with the loss one time for a child, but there are some wishes that we shouldn't even portray as a possibility.
I've been watching this movie every Christmas since it first appeared on CBC in the '80s, and I have to say, I spend most of the movie misty-eyed. In this familiar story of a woman who has lost the Christmas spirit and rediscovers it through being shown how fortunate she is, there are several excellent performances
and a strong feeling of magic throughout.
Mary Steenburgen, who plays Ginnie Grainger, the woman who has lost the
Christmas spirit, undergoes an amazing transformation and some of the most
heart-wrenching moments I've seen on film. Harry Dean Stanton, as the angel
Gideon, plays his part with sensitivity, and Gary Basaraba is excellent as Jack, Ginnie's husband. Abbie, the six-year old daughter of the main character, steals the show, however. She never seems to be acting, and carries the innocence of childhood and the magic of Christmas with her. Keep an eye out for a very
young Sarah Polley as Molly Monaghan, and veteran Canadian actor Jan
Rubes as the best Santa Claus on film to date, if only for his amazing costume.
Keep a box of tissues on hand when you watch this movie! It demonstrates that a movie can be magical without overwhelming special effects, and that a
Christmas movie can be sentimental without being schmaltzy.
and a strong feeling of magic throughout.
Mary Steenburgen, who plays Ginnie Grainger, the woman who has lost the
Christmas spirit, undergoes an amazing transformation and some of the most
heart-wrenching moments I've seen on film. Harry Dean Stanton, as the angel
Gideon, plays his part with sensitivity, and Gary Basaraba is excellent as Jack, Ginnie's husband. Abbie, the six-year old daughter of the main character, steals the show, however. She never seems to be acting, and carries the innocence of childhood and the magic of Christmas with her. Keep an eye out for a very
young Sarah Polley as Molly Monaghan, and veteran Canadian actor Jan
Rubes as the best Santa Claus on film to date, if only for his amazing costume.
Keep a box of tissues on hand when you watch this movie! It demonstrates that a movie can be magical without overwhelming special effects, and that a
Christmas movie can be sentimental without being schmaltzy.
Exquisitely made holiday fable with a decidedly dark edge, not unlike "It's a Wonderful Life" in tone. Mary Steenburgen is very convincing as a woman whose heart has been hardened by life's harsh realities. Christmas has become an empty ritual to her and it takes a highly unusual angel named Gideon (played by a softspoken Harry Dean Stanton in a long cattleman's duster) to make her see the light. Her conversion requires some grim but realistic machinations by Gideon, as well as the simple and unquestioning faith of her optimistic husband and children. But the result is an emotionally powerful finale that is honestly earned, not the easy tearjerking of lesser films.
Special mention should be made of the two terrific child actors who play Steenburgen's kids, especially Elizabeth Harnois as the youngest, Abbie, whose unsticky line readings are a treat. Character actor Jan Rubes makes a wonderful, matter-of-fact Santa Claus. The production is further enhanced by Frank Tidy's meticulous cinematography, some imaginative art direction, particularly in Santa's toy shop, and a lovely score by Michael Conway Baker. Thomas Meehan's scenario delves into some dark territory for a genre that is all too often treacly instead of real, but its clear antecedents are treasures such as "A Christmas Carol" and the aforementioned Capra classic. A word of caution, however: this is not recommended for very young children. But for 8 and above, and adults, it's a Christmas tale that may well become a perennial in your house, as it is in mine.
Special mention should be made of the two terrific child actors who play Steenburgen's kids, especially Elizabeth Harnois as the youngest, Abbie, whose unsticky line readings are a treat. Character actor Jan Rubes makes a wonderful, matter-of-fact Santa Claus. The production is further enhanced by Frank Tidy's meticulous cinematography, some imaginative art direction, particularly in Santa's toy shop, and a lovely score by Michael Conway Baker. Thomas Meehan's scenario delves into some dark territory for a genre that is all too often treacly instead of real, but its clear antecedents are treasures such as "A Christmas Carol" and the aforementioned Capra classic. A word of caution, however: this is not recommended for very young children. But for 8 and above, and adults, it's a Christmas tale that may well become a perennial in your house, as it is in mine.