The Christmas List

It's rare that I like a TV movie this much, but I've been watching it every year since it first premiered. I used to watch it on the 25 Days of Christmas marathon, but after they started burying it in the wee hours just once a year (usually on Sundays) I taped it and still watch it that way each season (but if the higher ups are reading this I highly urge you to release it on digital download or streaming as I'd love higher rez version, even SD would be better than my warm out VHS). Anyway, what makes the film "perfect"... it's hard to explain without sitting down and showing it to you. Mimi Rodgers is a real person, not some prissy over the top caricature of a woman like most Hallmark or Netflix movies. She's beautiful, yes, but she is also is vulnerable, realistic looking, with reasonable reactions to her life passing her by. The rest of the cast are all over the top, but somehow it works perfectly... from the 1950'd thick framed boss, David, the boy that the story hinges on, the jealous soap opera style jealous other woman, the dippy former boyfriend... they are all able to get you into their vibe with very little on screen work. The concept is magical, but works in a very subtle cause and effect way that is just enough to give it the spark of Christmas spirit. It is FULL of moments that are special, sentimental, small touches; like, for example, the moment when David pulls her arm back to smell his mom's perfume that smells just like her. It takes the time to have moments instead of rushing to the next thing too quickly. Is it cheesy in parts, is it made on a tv studio budget, is some of the acting questionable... sure... but in all the right ways. It knows what it is and succeeds. Nice job! Thanks for adding to our 23 yr Christmas tradition.

This is the story of a perfume counter saleswoman who puts a Christmas List in Santa's mailbox at the store she works in. Her wishes begin to come true, but they all have a slight twist to them when they do. This is a movie that manages to intertwine Christmas, fantasy, romance, and realism. Mimi Rogers does a superb job in the role she plays. This movie even throws in the "guy gets the girl and they live happily ever after" at the end for us hopeless romantics. Wish it was out on video or DVD, I would love to have a copy of it to keep with all the other Christmas Classics.

I liked Mimi playing a woman somewhat down on her luck. She wants very much to better herself, but things don't go her way....until she writes her Christmas list. Even then she still has problems: an overbearing boss, a fruitcake mother, a totally anal boyfriend, and a bitchy co-worker. Then she falls in love. One of the better holiday films.

I LOVED this movie! It's a very enjoyable, feel-good movie, and it lifts my spirits every time I watch it! It has become one of my "Christmas classics", like the original "Miracle on 34th Street". Mimi Rogers was *excellent*. Enuka Okuma as her friend, Stella Stevens as her mother, Rob Stewart as her romantic interest, and Marla Maples as her (sort-of) competition, were all very enjoyable to watch. I hope more people get to see it and enjoy it as I have.

...as well as a holiday tradition! Kudos to Merv Griffin Enterprises...

Who can not love Melody Parris, the main character? Yet, the main point of the story is how everything came together for her when she decided not to 'wait' for anything anymore. It was only when Melody stopped wishing and actually did something that all the pieces fell into place: like going to that swanky restaurant even though she had no escort, and joining in the fun with the other diners.

Favorite moment: Melody's honest, heartfelt plea to the cops who were about to tow her car away - 'if you take away that car, you will ruin whatever luck I have', or words to that effect. And you know...it worked! Second most favorite moment: Melody dumping dinner in George's lap.

I'll never get tired of watching this one. And, for the record, I still watch 'It's A Wonderful Life', though many have gotten sick of it, sad to say.