...und den Weihnachtsmann gibts doch!

Saw this on tv last night ... and actually, missed quite some parts of it as i switched to that channel by accident but i have to admit as an atheist who despises formal religions thus barely a superstitious person if ever, i just liked this not so well known movie of Charles Bronson with some direct hints at both religion as well as superstition, albeit done in such a 'logical' way it not only doesn't harm the viewer imo, it actually makes you welcome this kind of approach to such otherwise unacceptable topics ...

here, Charles Bronson acts in a role that's totally new to me considering he's almost always been seen in violent action movies appearing as a villain or a good, yet tough man ... but now he's exactly the opposite: depressed, mild, sentimental, suicidal even! and he has done a really good job at that, worthy of a nomination, which, rather curiously, apparently neither him nor the movie itself have received ...

the movie itself has a rather sad yet at the same time live and hopeful tone to it ... and i'm so glad i saw this plain, underrated, not very famous although really sensational Christmas-y movie, the likes of which are many of course but really good ones are surely rare ...

long story short, i don't think i'll ever forget this movie, especially because of Charles Bronson's really fine acting in a role not quite befitting him that came almost as a surprise to me ...

While this is a made for TV film with some of the production weaknesses that are typical of films made for television, nonetheless this is a classic Christmas movie in a class with "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th St.", primarily for it's ability to make the viewer cry with joy, even with repeated viewings.

Like the movies above, not all the characters are happy due to the difficult circumstances of their lives. The primary characters are struggling with despair. Like "It's a Wonderful Life", the lead characters are brought back from the brink through belief in something larger than themselves: The spirit of Christmas and the Hope that it brings to all of us.

I wish it would be released commercially at some point so that it could gain a larger audience. Contains great performances by Richard Thomas and Charles Bronson. Lou Asner is at his typical crusty best as the soft-hearted news boss.

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1991)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

After the death of his wife and child, reporter Frances Church (Charles Bronson) hits a wall of depression and alcohol. Soon he's thinking about suicide until his paper receives a letter from a child named Virginia asking if there's a Santa Claus. Based on a true story, this made-for-TV film isn't a classic and it's certainly far from a great film but there's a certain charm to it that makes it worth viewing. I think the main appeal is going to be to fans of Bronson who are going to get a real kick out of seeing him play such a nice guy. Bronson made a career out of beating and killing hundreds of people but after the death of his wife he decided to try and do something softer and he does a very good job at it. You can't help but feel that Bronson was still feeling some of the same emotions as this character since his wife had died about a year before this film was made. Bronson gives it his all and really makes you feel sorry for his character. There's a scene inside an apartment room where the actor talks about guilt and you can't help but feel it's one of the best things the actor has done. Richard Thomas does a good job playing the father of Virginia. The side story deals with him being fired from his job and trying to find a new one while his family are without money. Edward Asner plays the editor of the paper and does a fine job too. I thought the producers did a very good job capturing the look and feel of when the story was set and there's no question that the costume and set designs are impressive. I think the one problem with the film is the direction, which never really pulls the two stories together and mixes them well. It really did seem uneven when the film jumped back and forth between the two and there just wasn't enough of an emotional connection to the family. With that said, the performance of Bronson is clearly the stand out here and it's good enough to make the film worth viewing.

Charles Jarrott, who directed The Last Flight Of Noah's Ark, also directs this wonderful tv film that teaches the young and young at heart the true meaning of Christmas. Virginia O'Hanlon wrote probably the most famous letter to the editor of all time and Francis Church the most famous reply. This delightful movie captures turn of the century New York and the hardships it's people endured perfectly. Its a beautiful film to look at. The little girl playing Virginia is a delight as is Richard Thomas as her father. The biggest surprise of all is casting Charles Bronson as Francis Church. Believe it or not, he really does a fine acting job. I have always enjoyed Bronson's action films, but I never thought he could really "act" in the traditional sense. He proves me wrong with his sensitive portrayal. Bronson plays a man who recently lost his wife and there is even one scene where he is getting ready to kill himself. Charles Bronson really had lost his wife Jill Ireland to cancer the year before this film was made and I feel it helped him in his role. In a sense, he is able to find himself again writing to this little girl. This wonderful film is viewing for the whole family. In fact it is too good just to be shown at Christmas. It reminds us of a simpler time when families were loving and kids really appreciated the true meaning of Christmas. The message this film teaches will never go out of style.

It would be difficult to say at this point if it were Richard Thomas or Charles Bronson who carried this timeless beauty so successfully to it's moving conclusion, but all performances were top notch. This movie NEEDS to be released to all for the upcoming Christmas season as it would quickly become a classic. These are the Christmas lessons we all try to teach the young this time of year and movies like this one are needed to do it so nicely. I hope to see this one on the DVD new release list soon!