Sorry, this movie sucks

Good movie but grossly overrated

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I noticed this TV movie listed as being rated three stars, and starring one of my favourite African American actresses, and a good sounding actor playing the lovable yuletide hero, so I decided to watch. Basically when she was a little girl, Lucy Cullins had a big belief in the magic of Christmas, and sitting on the lap of a Santa Claus (Nigel Hawthorne) she wears his hat which glows and proves he is the chosen one to have Christmas spirit. While there she also asked as a Christmas present for her father, fighting in Vietnam, to return home, but instead he is brought home in a coffin. Years later, Lucy (Whoopi Goldberg, also producing) is grown up and is the network executive and producer of the home consumer "Shop-A-Lot" Channel, with a grumpy attitude with no real Christmas spirit and not paying much attention to her family. Her boss Cameron (Brian Stokes Mitchell) wants to boost the sales for the shopping channel during the holiday season approaching, so he wants to hire a Santa Claus to advertise the festive merchandise, so auditions are held with no successful applicants. Then they spot the man calling himself Nick (still Hawthorne), with a jolly attitude, a love for Christmas, and a real heartwarming charm, so he is hired. Within minutes of his debut on the channel, he is an instant hit helping to bring in big numbers of sales, more than any of the other networks, but he has another agenda than just making money. Nick has an awkward friendship with Lucy, and he tries to convince her that he is not only the same Santa she saw in the mall years ago, but that he is the real Santa, and he has an important job for her. After convincing her he really is Santa Claus with a trip to the North Pole and the workshop with all the elves, Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the sleigh, Lucy is then told that she is destined to be the next Santa. Nick explains that every Santa since the 2nd Century reigns as the man that delivers presents worldwide (with the help of the space time continuum) for 200 years until another person with Christmas spirit is found, and she is that person. If Lucy doesn't put on his hat once again, embrace the spirit of Christmas and become the new Santa Claus, there will come the "Or Else Factor", where the giant flood Noah's Ark went through will happen again. She is unconvinced and is made to believe everything was a dream to go back to normal, and Nick makes his final broadcast on the shopping channel, Christmas Eve, and leaving to go back to the North Pole he can only leave a note to say "it's not too late". Realising her boss was only interested in making money and wanted to "oen Christmas", Lucy runs home and finds the note left by Nick, and that is when she decides to try the Santa hat on and create the glow of the Christmas spirit again. She has now truly become the new Santa Claus, she is picked up by Nick and main elf Ralph (Taylor Negron) to be transformed into a Santa figure with the red suit and whitened hair, and of course being Christmas Eve start delivering all the presents. After a few deliveries they make a pit stop so Lucy can see her niece perform in the choir with a solo on stage, make her peace with her mother (Melody Garrett) and brother Dwayne (White Chicks' Frankie R. Faison), and with Nick still in tow flying away as as Santa. Also starring Titanic's Victor Garber as Taylor and Total Recall's Robert Costanzo as Teamster Santa. Goldberg with her sharp-tongued schtick makes her a different approach to an originally Scrooge like character transformed by Christmas cheer, and Hawthorne is a perfect choice as Santa Claus with his Christmassy charm and good nature. Being made for TV I was worried it would be very cheesy with cheap special effects and corny performances, but actually it works really well, it does admittedly have a hard to swallow final few minutes, but overall, a nice seasonal comedy. Worth watching!

I acquired this one on a DVD from the USA, the only place its available. I found the film most entertaining, thanks to the performances of Whoopi Goldberg and Nigel Hawthorn whom I had known from the BBC series Yes Minister. Indeed I was distressed to learn that he had died whilst I was in the course of reading other comments about this film. Whoopi Goldberg, I knew and loved in Ghost, Jumpin' Jack Flash and the Sister Act movies.The storyline here is quite original, a little slow to get off the ground but that Christmas magic is there and I think we all, old and young, like films where Father Xmases, sleighs and reindeers are involved, especially if the reindeers have shiny/luminous noses.I was most touched by the flashback to Whoopi's childhood where she had asked the same Father Xmas to bring her Daddy back, this was probably the most emotional part of the film. The rest was more lighthearted and the only aspect I did not like was the over commercialisation of Xmas where you have to sell sell and sell more ! However the magic of the film makes up for the rest of this. It's a nice DVD to have at home and to put on a couple of times a year !

What a marvellous film for children & adults alike!Whoopi is great as the grouchy non-believer,& Nigel Hawthorne is simply the BEST - what a believable Santa he portrays,with twinkling eyes,friendly smile,& a very jolly laugh!A story filled with fun,joy,a bit of sadness,& a few surprises tucked in here & there.The supporting cast is wonderful as well - overall,a must-see holiday film!

The movie starts out slowly, but, gently evolves into a tale of overcoming past pain and disappointment. As with most Christmas stories the premise is sort of limited but has a great ending. Destined to become a classic, in my humble opinion.