One Magic Christmas
by Phillip Borsos
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DVD details
Actor: Arthur Hill, Elisabeth Harnois, Gary Basaraba, Harry Dean Stanton, Mary SteenburgenDirector: Phillip Borsos
Brand: Walt Disney Video
Cinematographer: Frank Tidy
Producer: Phillip Borsos
Writer: Phillip Borsos
Producer: Michael MacDonald
Producer: Peter O'Brian
Writer: Barry Healey
Writer: Thomas Meehan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product features:
- Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen (MELVIN AND HOWARD) gives a solid performance as Ginny Grainger, a young mother who rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie (Elizabeth Harnois) and Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton), Ginny's very own guardian angel. Ginny's wondrous experience will touch your heart and warm your soul in
DVD Reviews of One Magic Christmas
DVD Review: Completely New To Me, But Still A Great Film
Summary: 4 Stars
I grew up in the 80's and thought that I'd seen just about all of the Christmas "classics" of that decade. Somehow "One Magic Christmas" slipped passed me until it was packaged with "The Santa Clause/Santa Clause 2" through the Disney Movie Club. Seeing the price for three movies as a bargain, I purchased all three. Now I'm very familiar with the "Santa Clause" movies, but I knew absolutely nothing about this film. When I finally sat down to watch it, it put me in a comfortable holiday mood that only a choice few Christmas films can do to me. Mary Steenburgen headlines a solid cast of characters as Ginny Grainger. She's a mom who's whole family is down on their luck for Christmas. Her husband has lost his job and with it, their home. Her boss at the supermarket hounds her despite doing everything for him and to top things off, she seems to be the only person not happy that it's Christmas time. Enter Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton), a Christmas angel sent by St. Nick to remedy the problems of Ginny Grainger. How does he do it? Through her Santa-believing daughter, Abbie (Elisabeth Harnois). As the story rolls along and more terrible things and one rather traumatic event occur, Ginny loses all hope for Christmas. Can Gideon and Abbie (with a little help from ol' Kris Kringle) save the family's Christmas. You'll have to watch to find out.
As stated before, the cast is solid. Two standouts are Gary Basaraba as Ginny's optimistic husband and a young Elias Koteas as a family friend. Special effects are minimal and haven't aged well, but do not distract the viewer from the story.
As another reviewer stated, Santa Claus does take on a few god-like qualities, and the "magic" at the end of the film may turn off some viewers. However, I see this character's development and the events that occur as nothing more than another take on the Santa mythos. A few people might also be turned off by the "creepy guy" factor of Harry Dean Stanton's Gideon. He hangs around in trees playing a harmonica, dressed in a dark duster and a cowboy hat. The reasons for this are explained in the film, but he does cast quite the shadow as a "friendly" stranger that may bug some parents. Not talking to strangers should be a well developed concept for children who see this film, but it never hurts to refresh your child once in awhile. There is also a very traumatic event that occurs near the end of the film that is dealt with very tenderly, but may be too intense for very young viewers. Just know that it involves a shooting death of a primary character that is resolved eventually.
As for the DVD itself, there is one compilation of movie previews, a Spanish language track, and French subtitles. That's all. There's no extra cartoon or trivia games, so if that's your bag, you're out of luck.
So, despite a few minor details like the creepiness of Gideon at times and what some see as the godliness of Santa, "One Magic Christmas" is a solid family film that I'm sure will be cherished by many for years to come. Sure, it's no "A Christmas Story" or "It's A Wonderful Life," but it's still worth repeat viewings during that most wonderful time of the year. Recommended.
Description of One Magic Christmas
Features include:
?MPAA Rating: G
?Format: DVD
?Runtime: 89 minutes
Grab an econo-pack of tissues, gather your loved ones around a cozy television, and bring on the hot cocoa--it's time for a dose of Christmas spirit. The tender and charming Mary Steenburgen (Parenthood) dons a sour disposition in her role as Ginny Grainger, a woman who finds little joy in life lately--let alone in the impending holiday season. Money is tight, her husband (beautifully downplayed by nice-guy Gary Basaraba) lost his job, and the family must move out of their house. Ginny cannot even bring herself to say, "Merry Christmas," despite her family's enthusiasm about the big day. With help from Ginny's brave and loving daughter (sweetly performed by Elisabeth Harnois) and a Christmas angel named Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton), Ginny undergoes a life-altering experience à la It's a Wonderful Life. The result? Happy endings, hugs and kisses, pass the tissues.
Not a light holiday entertainer by any means, the plot verges on depressing at times, as the family struggles through money issues and the tedium of daily suburban survival. While handled fairly subtly, some of the bridging story--including a shooting, a kidnapping, and a drowning--might prove disturbing to children under 6 years old. And really: if the somber Harry Dean Stanton (Paris, Texas) repeatedly appeared in your neighborhood, cloaked in a cowboy hat and overcoat, would you allow your kids outside? Still, a well-made favorite to cherish. --Liane Thomas
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