Un magico Natale

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.

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!!!!

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.

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!!

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.