Dear Santa

I recommended this movie to about a dozen people, and every single one of them loved it and watched it at least a second time. Most movies that I watched that were billed to be a Christmas movie either had a plot that had too little mention of Christmas or showed very sporadic scenery that just didn't remind you that you were actually watching a Christmas movie. Not Dear Santa, it was sprinkled throughout the movie perfectly. It is exactly what it was meant to be. A beautiful love story centered around Christmastime with great character acting and a wonderful, quick moving storyline. Romantic, cute, funny, sad, happy, covers all the emotional bases and even has a beautiful song in it, too. And don't be surprised if your eyes well up once or twice .....

Shopaholic Crystal's (Amy Acker, Alias) wealthy parents give her an ultimatum: change her irresponsible ways by Christmas or they will cut her off without a cent. With no job or romantic prospects, what's a party girl to do? Fate intervenes when she finds seven year-old Olivia's (Emma Duke) letter to Santa asking for a new wife for her widowed dad Derek (David Haydn-Jones). Crystal tracks them down and vows to win over father and daughter before the fast-approaching holiday deadline.

This is a nice little film. It has lots of spirit and charming actors. It has more depth than your average Christmas Movie!

When you see it pop up on television WATCH IT. You will enjoy this.

Pretty and perky Park Avenue shopper Amy Acker (as Crystal Carruthers) finds a "Dear Santa" letter blown away from a mailbox. The letter is from an adorable little girl named "Olivia" (Emma Duke) who is asking Santa to bring her widower father a new wife. Feeling adventurous, Ms. Acker decides to investigate. She finds Olivia's father even more adorable. The handsome and dreamy-eyed David Hayden-Jones (as Derek Gowen) runs a soup kitchen for the homeless, and Acker is mistaken for a volunteer...

Strangely, Mr. Hayden-Jones does not seem notice Acker looks at him with desire. He is engaged to scheming Gina Holden (as Jillian), who steals the movie. But Patrick Creery (as Pete Kennedy) scores points by wearing a pink chef's uniform (pink, get it?) and other accessories with bemusement. Stubborn James Dugan (as Frank McCourt) does well with his small homeless role. Actor-turning-director Jason Priestley samples some "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961); it's dumb, but funny and easy to swallow.

****** Dear Santa (11/26/11) Jason Priestley ~ Amy Acker, David Hayden-Jones, Gina Holden, Patrick Creery

Amy Acker plays the poor little rich girl who finds a letter to Santa from a young girl with no mommy. This is your typical Christmas movie, but done in a good way. Brings a smile to your face and has that feelgood Christmas message. Great for all the family.

This isn't exactly as it states in the Storyline, they're only small points but I think critical. She doesn't find the letter to Santa it blows past her, she picks it up and calls to the person who dropped it but they've gone before she can give it back. She then opens the letter and reads it and gets the return address, she takes it back on her own accord (not for monetary gain). She's not as bad or as selfish as the Storyline makes her out. This is a good thing as it makes her more agreeable to the viewers.

Crystal is portrayed well by Amy Acker, of whom I've been a fan of since I saw her in Angel. She was the reason I watched the film, of which I'm glad as the description didn't do the film justice.

She works really well with Emma Duke who played Olivia Gowen, the daughter of the love interest Derek. These scenes are well written, acted and directed with humour, warmth, and tenderness.

There are some good bits throughout the film, though my favourite is the "Whipp-Off" where Amy Acker and Gina Holden have a baking showdown. Awesome.

You could watch this film with the family or just cuddled up with your love. Much better than I expected and I would watch again.