7.0 stars.
An uptight woman who runs a family department store is softened by the store's seasonal Santa.
This film is all over the place, but what's not to love about Julie Benz? I consider her to be like a golden child of Hallmark-esque films. She is the perfect good girl, with the perfect smile, and a very soft and sweet manner. She can do kind, she can do gentle, and bubbly, and fun in a marshmallowy fashion. And what is truly truly great about her is that she is so versatile that her vile persona is more convincing than the good one.
The lead male (Sutcliffe) who plays Santa has an infectious way about him. In this story, his current mission is to soften and win her heart. He is a very capable actor, I was impressed by his solid performance. Not just any guy can keep up with Benz.
One of the side stories was partially developed the other not so much. They could have dropped one and focused a bit more on the other (with the little boy). That's why I say this movie was all over the place.
90% of this film's setting is in the department store, which is a strangely limiting factor.
I enjoyed Benz and Sutcliffe, could take or leave the rest of the cast. There are no extra stars for entertainment or x-factor, this is simply an average film with a couple of above average leads.
An uptight woman who runs a family department store is softened by the store's seasonal Santa.
This film is all over the place, but what's not to love about Julie Benz? I consider her to be like a golden child of Hallmark-esque films. She is the perfect good girl, with the perfect smile, and a very soft and sweet manner. She can do kind, she can do gentle, and bubbly, and fun in a marshmallowy fashion. And what is truly truly great about her is that she is so versatile that her vile persona is more convincing than the good one.
The lead male (Sutcliffe) who plays Santa has an infectious way about him. In this story, his current mission is to soften and win her heart. He is a very capable actor, I was impressed by his solid performance. Not just any guy can keep up with Benz.
One of the side stories was partially developed the other not so much. They could have dropped one and focused a bit more on the other (with the little boy). That's why I say this movie was all over the place.
90% of this film's setting is in the department store, which is a strangely limiting factor.
I enjoyed Benz and Sutcliffe, could take or leave the rest of the cast. There are no extra stars for entertainment or x-factor, this is simply an average film with a couple of above average leads.