One Magic Christmas (1985)

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 Amazon.com

Christmas

It's an old one but a great christmas movie. I watch it every christmas. January 7, 2009

Heartwarming

This is a holiday classic in my family. A heartwarming story about learning to believe. Not for the very, very young as it is quite sad before the happy ending. Had it on video and replaced it on DVD to keep in our collection and send it to the homes of my married children. January 6, 2009

One Magic Christmas

this is one of my favorite Christmas movies. I recommend it for everyone I know! January 6, 2009

Christmas Classic Tear Jerker

This spirit of the season is what this movie is all about. Yes it get dark and stressful but there is a purpose to it and it is not gratuitous. December 30, 2008

My children laugh...my husband sighs...

but I simply HAVE to watch (what my teen-aged daughters dubbed, "Kids Fall in the River and Drown") this movie every single Christmas. I know of no better movie to imbue one with the true thankfulness and appreciation that is the Christmas Spirit than this gritty, occasionally depressing, but ultimately redemptive and glorious film.

Some years we watch with too much empathy (years when we've faced financial insecurity or lost loved ones). Other years we watch with abundant gratitude and happiness (so thankful we're safe, warm, secure and surrounded by each other). Whatever the case, whatever the situation, however much my long-suffering family rolls their eyes as I produce this film, we always, always end up teary-eyed, filled with love and hope, and totally, completely satisfied we've had one MAGIC Christmas experience.

I'm going to buy the DVD to replace my VHS, so I can continue to "inflict" this classic on my family for years to come. December 11, 2008

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