A Mom for Christmas (1990 TV Movie) User Reviews

Juliet Sorcey is amazing!

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 15 December 2007]

Juliet Sorcey was just 10 when this was made, and she was fantastic! She played her part perfectly. You could really see a little girl who just wanted to have a mother to get her through the holidays.

One would never believe that Olivia Newton-John (Grease) is two years older than I am. At 42, she was the picture of perfection in this film and you really could believe that she was 28. How in the world does she do it? This was a neat fantasy about making Christmas for a little girl and it really came to life.

With two songs sung by Olivia Newton-John, it was a real pleasure. I'll be watching it again and again.

the scariest movie i've ever seen

[hbf9768 · 6/10 · 9 May 2013]

The only reason I'm giving this movie a decent rating is because of its affect on childhood. I do not consider it a quality film...

This is hands down the one film that has scarred me more than any other. And I'm a huge movie buff and watched countless movies as a child. The second film would be Ernest Scared Stupid. Followed by a few Tales from the Crypt episodes. The last one makes sense, but it was always the films that weren't even horror movies that really scared me in a deep way.

I remember the first time I watched this so vividly. I was at my babysitter's apartment around the age of 4. It was storming outside, much like in the film when the mannequin first comes alive (at least from what I remember). That first transformation had me covering my eyes and my heart beating extremely fast in fear. My mother looked like Olivia Newton John at the time and I imagined her becoming a mannequin. The whole idea of the mom in the film being so perfect and fake really scared me psychologically, especially knowing she was actually a manufactured piece of plastic who somehow acquired a soul. After seeing this movie I couldn't go to clothing stores. I kept seeing the mannequins coming to life. In fact I still see this sometimes when I go to the store, for a split second I will think they are real people and get a shiver down my spine. I might have thought this before I saw the movie and it may have been one of the reasons I was so afraid originally.

For years I couldn't remember the name of this movie. I searched for 'movie with a mannequin coming to life' and it kept giving me the 80s movie Mannequin. But I finally found this one and watched half of it on online in the middle of the night at my grandmother's. I was 23 this time and it still scared the sh*t out of me and I had to stop watching it. Its imprinted into my brain. It sparked a deep fear inside me that will never get out.

I was a very anxious child and would have nightmares every night. But I loved it. It gave excitement to my imagination and as I grew older I became obsessed with horror and the darkness in life. Nothing scares me anymore like the few movies and countless nightmares of my childhood. So I just want to thank the creators of this film for affecting me in such a positive way. There is no sarcasm here. But it is ironic that the idea of a film that is supposed to be so uplifting to some, can be so grotesque to others. That I think has been what has always frightened me throughout my lifetime more than anything mystical and fantastic.

Melodramatic and silly and yet cute and fun for the kids

[Robert_duder · 5/10 · 24 December 2013]

In a sea of family Christmas films I seem to be on a mission to watch them all each and every Christmas. Usually while doing Christmas baking I will try out a new one so I gave this a go on a total fluke. It didn't blow me away in the least. The production value seems like next to nothing and the performances are hokey but you know what...it has everything you want from a strictly family oriented Christmas film. There is a ton of magic, romance, fantasy and its just simple fun. The biggest problem with this film is that there is absolutely nothing that stands out about it. We've even seen the "mannequin" come to life story before more than once! The cast is stiff (no pun intended) and the story is rushed. But I also doubt that it was made for my demographic. I would guess that little girls and their Mom's could curl up on the couch and truly enjoy this little film. However, outside of that demographic there just simply isn't a lot to cheer for here.

Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.

I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10

You'll Want this Mom For The Holidays!!!!

[thespian01 · 4 July 2000]

I am A HUGE fan of Olivia Newton-John,so I might be Just a little prejudiced. But this sweet,Wonderful story about a lonely little girl's Christmas wish is classic holiday fare on par with It's a wonderful life! Jessica Slocum is an eleven year old girl who lost her mom when she was three. For the last couple of years,she would go to this department store to watch the other little girls shop with their moms,and wish that could be her. Well,through the help of some good ol'"magic" Jess get's her wish, and we get the best made for t.v. holiday movie ever!! There's also 2 new ON-j songs written especially for the movie!! This Xmas gift is funny, touching,and VERY moving!(

If you love the 1980s flick Mannequin then you will enjoy this family fantasy

[lisafordeay · 6/10 · 21 November 2018]

A Mom For Christmas stars Olivia Newton John(Sandy Dee from Grease)in a family fantasy drama about a young girl named Jessie who still isn't over the death of her mother and goes to a department store where she wishes to have a mom for the Christmas season.

Synopsis: When Jessie meets a mysterious shop clerk named Philomena after being teased by a bunch of young kids in a department store as Jessie is hooked on a mannequin who is posing with a family,Jessie wishes that she wants a mom for Christmas and that night her wish came true as a quirky young woman named Amy(Olivia Newton John)comes into Jessie's home as she is greeted by Jessie's father and Amy poses as a nanny in order for Jessie's dad not to get suspicious. Of course Jessie's wish comes with a warning,she can only keep Amy till Christmas as she will turn back as a mannequin once Christmas Eve kicks in. So will Jessie be able to keep Amy alive forever and be her actual mom with her widowed father.

Overall: I haven't seen this film before as it came out in 1990 and someone mentioned that it was like that 1999 film Life Size with Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan. It sorta does but it reminds me of Mannequin except everyone can see Amy alive whereas in Mannequin it was just Andrew McCartney's character that seen Kim Caterell's character alive. The story was very predictable as I knew from the get go what was going to happen e.g young girl wants a mom for Christmas,turns out its a mannequin,mannequin has a certain time extent to stay alive,she turns back as a mannequin again,girl mourns,mannequin comes to life ,the end. Olivia looks different in this film since it was her Disney debut and she had long hair and bangs in this film(her accent never changed though since she's from Sydney Australia). The young girl that plays Jessie reminds me of a cross between Anna Clumsky and Katherine Heigl. If you wanna track it down its on YouTube. Its a charming sweet film that's suitable to watch for the Holiday season .

31st December 2018

xmas fantasy for all

[john191158 · 8/10 · 27 February 2001]

This is true xmas fantasy in the best of disney tradition.Lighthearted,sentimental escapism that can be enjoyed by all the family. Olivia plays amy a store mannequin that comes to life as the xmas wish of a 9 yr old little girl.Storyline is a bit flimsy but that's what fantasy is all about right? Olivia looks good(as always!)and does an adequate job with the script given her.A bit cutesy and sugary in places,but it's a xmas movie after all,something light for all to enjoy,it's not ben hur or schindlers list it's a wholesome xmas fantasy to be enjoyed by young and old alike. I rate this an 8.

Cheesy acting and a Dismal Message -- No Comfort to Kids Missing a Parent

[matthaucompany · 3/10 · 15 December 2007]

A very sorry tale--with a weird message and dismal "anwser" for kids grieving a parent. It doesn't work. This story doesn't resonate with even a fairytale depiction of hopes and dreams or recognizable human characteristics.

The premise of "A Mom for Christmas" is that a little girl misses her dead mother and so she wishes a store mannequin will be her mom for the holiday. What?! What studio executive thought there was an audience of kids who want a mannequin for a parent? The script doesn't work, even though, in the fairy godmother role, Doris Roberts (as the magical mentor) does her best. She is the one bright spot in this movie.

Unfortunately, the acting styles of the rest of the cast do nothing to redeem a poorly conceived story.

Olivia Newton John doesn't aspire to portray any deeper emotions or intellect than a store mannequin--even though she was supposed to "come to life" and fulfill the little girl's wish for a real mom. Her idea of depicting emotions consist of a lot of exaggerated and laughable eye-popping.

Instead of creating a mom character the little girl could bond with, Olivia plays the role like she herself were a five-year-old girl in a sitcom--constantly opening her eyes wide, like a surprised bat.

WHY THE MOVIE DOESN'T WORK...

Most fairy tales are based in tragedy--especially comedies. The well-made fairy tales can make us believe in even the most far-fetched premise because they infuse the fantasy with a subtext of human experience--our secret wishes, hopes, fears and dreams.

"A Mom For Christmas" aspires to be a Christmas fairytale--but lacks any compelling story elements.

Compare other Christmas fairy tales: For example: "ELF" Will Ferrell is an orphaned human adopted by elves. although he loves his "elf family", deep-down, Will feels like an outsider. The movie uses humor to tell a simple tale but under the silly antics and fun, we appreciate his quest to find out about his mysterious past and recognize Will's longing to "belong." Even though it is a light and silly movie, we care about Will as the "Elf" and go along with the "Fairytale" elements because the underlying premise of the movie resonates with the human experience of hopes and dreams.

Unfortuanately, this Christmas "fairytale" flops.

A love story & a little girls wish for a mum for the holidays

[ellie478 · 10/10 · 12 November 2005]

This is a wonderful film for all the family. Its about an 11 year old girl called Jessica that spends a lot of time walking around a large department store watching other girls shopping with their Mums, Jessicas Mum died when Jessica was only 3 years old. Jessica gets a free gift from the stores wishing well & she wishes for a Mom for the holidays. Olivia plays a manikin in the store & comes to life at midnight to be Jessicas Mum till midnight Christmas Eve. My 4 children and I watch it every year and we love it. I first saw it in 1995 and I recorded it off the television. I would love to own this film on Video or DVD. Olivia plays an excellent leading role in this film. The film is packed with Christmas magic as well as being a love story. I have another Christmas film with Olivia playing the starring role, A Holiday Romance, which is another Christmas love story which we all enjoy.

A huge Olivia Newton-John fan

[ronaldsteele-54467 · 5/10 · 14 July 2021]

I love Olivia Newton-John and have been a fan since 1974 during her country/pop crossover stuff. Her turn in "Grease" made her a Megastar. When I read she was making a Christmas movie I couldn't wait to see it and after "Xanadu" and "Two Of A Kind" I had some high hopes. Guess my hopes were a tad too high as I really didn't get into this movie one bit. If one really watches it can see it was a custom made role for ONJ who was into family friendly projects due to her own daughter. But let's not push all the blame on Olivia but let's look at it as a whole.

First off it's a fantasy and even a fantasy can overdo it and that was the case here. A widowed father accepts a strange lady into his home and has no issues with it. A little girl feeling alone during the holidays because her mother passed away and she misses her. A mannequin dresser feels sorry for her and grant's her a wish to have a mother for the Christmas holiday. A overworked dad has no time for his daughter because work comes first yet somehow show's no signs of sorrow for his late wife. A thin often told plot but no real story to support it.

I expected a lot more from this movie and I will be honest that Doug Sheehan and Doris Roberts are favorites of mine not to mention Olivia Newton-John. Yes it's a TV movie and yes it's a fantasy and one where they could have pushed the envelope and still kept it family friendly. The whole plotline to me is thin and was for what I saw a vehicle to feature Olivia Newton-John and nothing more. I do have the DVD but rarely what it. I don't mind fantasies but when they don't really tell a good story they tend to become boring.

I'm not sure if anyone could have saved this from becoming just another Christmas movie. Even the house fire scene wasn't that powerful. Want to watch a mannequin come to life movie I'd recommend "Mannequin". Many have given this movie high ratings mainly for (I believe) Olivia Newton-John starring in it but she isn't a actress who could have pulled this role off and come out a winner. Again I'm a huge fan of her's but this movie to me was a time waster and nothing more.

A Christmas Classic

[RONSBLUE · 10/10 · 30 August 2002]

Here is another great movie that unfortunately is not available on video. A truly touching story of a manikin that comes to life and restores the relationship between a man and his daughter and shows that you can't build your future, while living in the past.

A modern fairy tale about magic and love

[DocWriter · 9/10 · 15 December 2007]

This is a delightful Christmas fantasy that deals lightly with magic and the power of love. Jessica, played with astonishing maturity by 10-year-old Juliet Sorcey, receives a free wish from a wishing well. When Philomena (Doris Roberts) asks what she wants, she says "I want that," pointing to a grouping of mannequins arranged to suggest a mother, daughter, and dog. The mother looks amazingly like Olivia Newton John. When Philomena asks Jessica what she means, she explains that she wants to have a mother to be with her during the Christmas season. And Philomena grants her wish: "One mother for two weeks, starting at midnight tonight and ending at midnight Christmas eve." At midnight, the mannequin she pointed to, now alive and looking exactly like Olivia Newton John, rings the doorbell and is taken in. As she becomes part of the family, we are all aware that the two-week countdown clock is ticking.

The theme of a statue coming to life occurs throughout classic literature. The original Pygmalian, as described by Ovid, was a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had made, brought her to life with a kiss, and married her. So, enjoy this film for what it is -- easy to watch entertainment that is fun for all. Good script and fine acting by a cast that finds exactly the right pitch to tell a modern fairy tale.

Beautiful Story

[nicole_ward · 8/10 · 11 December 2011]

Such and unrealistic story however, at the same time it is so true to reality. The base of the story is the little girl Jessica who does not have a mother and wishes for one at Christmas. This is what so many children have to go through each year, and this makes the film so touching as it shows how Christmas is for many children. However, the other part (the mannequins coming to life) is obviously unrealistic.

This film is a really beautiful Christmas story, and will touch the hearts of many. It's not about Santa, reindeers and presents as many Christmas films tend to be. It's about so much more - the wish of a mother, and this is really beautiful! The acting is wonderful, especially that of the little girl Jessica. This film needs more credit, and I'm surprised that it hasn't got it, given that Olivia Newton John stars as a lead role! If you want a touching Christmas film, watch this; you will not be disappointed.

a fairy tale

[Kirpianuscus · 12 November 2020]

It reminds me Xanadu. Not only for Olivia Newton John and the story of a desire, a mannequin and a girl but for the powerful air of fairy tale. Magic is less to say , seductive can be too more. Precise - yes , it is a reasonable term. So, a story for Christmas, the holiday remaining, not surprising, only good pretext.

Nice Film

[Christmas-Reviewer · 8/10 · 12 December 2016]

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

"A Mom For Christmas" is a 1990 television film produced by Disney. In this film a motherless girl is granted a "Christmas Wish". Her wish comes true when she gets a "Mom" for Christmas who in reality is a department store mannequin come to life.

The story revolves around 11-year-old Jessica (Juliet Sorcey), whose mother died when she was three years old. Her father, Jim (Doug Sheehan), is a workaholic with little time for his daughter and hasn't been able to spend time with her since her mother's death 8 years prior and still seems to be mourning her.

The film is well worth watching. If you have never seen it you should. It is very charming. Doris Robert co-stars!

This film is a winner. If you love Christmas movies this is a must.

They don't make movies like this anymore.

[NatashaJAmos2015 · 10/10 · 5 October 2019]

I grew up in the 1990s and this one was one of my favourites! I just wish it was on DVD. A nice family movie!

A Magical Disney Fantasy with Olivia-Newton-John

[mike48128 · 10/10 · 30 December 2014]

Somewhat like "Mannequin", she comes to life after a lonely child wishes to have a mom just for Christmas, as her own mom passed-on eight years ago. So a department store mannequin comes to life and acts quite wooden-headed at first. Similar to "Toy Story", the dept. store mannequins all come to life at night, when no one is around. This is a live-action fantasy. Well-produced with many cute touches. Look for "Scott Farquis" ("A Christmas Story"), who teases the little girl. There are two pleasant songs by Olivia, but it's really not a musical. A lot of fun, as the "mannequin" chauffeur at the store drives everyone around in his limousine, and has great fun teasing the cynical store detective who thinks everyone is a shoplifter. It has a predictable fairy tale ending, which both my (then) young teen-aged daughters loved. Plays on the Disney Channels at Christmas. Olivia looked great in 1990. She was 42! Also stars Doris Roberts as "Philomena" the magical "dresser" of the dept. store mannequins. Originally, a Wonderful World of Disney TV movie. Only available thru Disney's Movie Club and Disney Stores. It's Worth it! (Don't buy the "unofficial" version on-line. It's terrible quality.)

Classic Disney tv movie

[haylee-44345 · 10/10 · 26 December 2021]

I grew up in the 90's and this is the only movie I remember I'm so happy I found it it's a good classic Christmas movie. I wish TV stations still make original movies besides hallmark and lifetime.