Santa Baby

Yup. I rented it. And here are my thoughts.

I'm not sure what the thinking was behind the script and direction, but I really felt like there was a lot of missing back story and overall setup to the film. Former Hugh Heffnerette McCarthy helps keep interest in the film with some solid acting, but the film's direction never allows her to fully exploit the corporate-power-woman act. She almost seems too light hearted to be taken as a hard nosed marketing exec, but nevertheless McCarthy gives it her all.

I'm not sure where this film lost me, but story-wise, I think I must have missed an important plot point somewhere. One moment McCarthy's character is exchanging and setting up a high-powered date with her corporate love interest, and next she's taking her adviser/assistant to the North Pole on a dog sled. No where, and I mean no where, was there any sort of hint or mere suggestion that this woman is the daughter of St. Nick. But maybe it's presumed the viewer already knows the premise of the film? I'm not sure.

In any event, the story skips along, glossing over these minor points, and tosses in some minor gags to alleviate a so-so film. George Wendt was a touch miscast as St. Nick, but has some of the best lines in the film. Even so, he never struck me as being a convincing Santa Claus. Sure, he's got the pot belly, and the beard and mustache, but it's scraggly, and Santa is missing his jolly disposition. It's almost like Wendt is doing the role just to get the cheque.

The core of the story has promise, but the script wasn't developed enough, and the director was forced to work with what he had. Even so, he should've been more inventive. Truth be told one gets the sense that he didn't have the freedom to tinker with the film too much. In the final analysis the work feels like it was a moderately budgeted focus-group film. A film designed to just make enough to cover its cost, and maybe make a little money for the studio.

A lot of thesping is put forth to cover up some rather thin material. Story, plot holes, and so-so slapstick and other schtick almost makeup for a pretty thin film. It's not one I'd see again. On the plus side it's fairly clean, so if you want your kids to see a Playboy Bunny with her clothes on, then rent this film. Otherwise skip it.

This is a highly predictable movie, but exceedingly sweet, as Jenny McCarthy, a demographics-driven marketing expert goes back to take over the family business -- the Santa Claus operations for daddy, of course -- and discovers the true meaning of Christmas. The jokes are a little weak as elves stop work every seventeen minutes for cookie breaks and Ms. McCarthy is a little strident.

George Wendt is surprisingly good at producing a layered performance as Santa Claus. Everyone else falls into patterns that you would expect in a post-millennium movie in which Christmas is freed from all religious significance, but it has its moments and its charms.

Santa Baby (2006) is a film I recently watched on Tubi. The story follows a successful business executive who returns home to visit her ailing father, bringing her executive assistant along for the trip. Little does she know, her father is actually Santa Claus, and he may need her help this Christmas to ensure the children of the world receive their gifts.

Directed by Ron Underwood (Tremors), the film stars Jenny McCarthy (Dirty Love), Ivan Sergei (Crossing Jordan), George Wendt (Cheers), Kandyse McClure (Romeo Must Die), and Michael Moriarty (Pale Rider).

The cast, settings, and storyline weren't as bad as I initially expected. The movie does a decent job incorporating workplace terminology and references from its era into the holiday premise. It also effectively portrays that women can be just as capable and handy as men. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the father-daughter relationship, which added some heart to the film. However, the romantic subplot was predictable, cheesy, and felt typical of a holiday movie. The ending, while lighthearted, tied the plot together nicely.

In conclusion, Santa Baby isn't anything extraordinary, but it's not a complete waste of time either. I'd give it a 5/10 and only recommend it if there's nothing better available.

I no longer think of Playboy when I hear the name Jenny McCarthy. I now think of Autism, and good acting. She does a superb job in this charming and funny Christmas story.

Santa (George Wendt) is having heart trouble and so mom (Lynne Griffin) calls Mary Class (she changed her name) home. Mary (McCarthy) is a successful workaholic that has always had a rough time with dad (WHO HASN'T?). She wants efficiency, while he stick to tradition.

She also left a beau (Ivan Sergei) when she left home and has new boyfriend in the big city. You can imagine the problems there when the two meet.

So you have family struggle on a grand scale, relationship problems and lots of comedy in a great Christmas movie.

Also stars Kandyse McClure, who will be familiar to "Battlestar Galactica" fans, who creates a little heat of her own.

Mary (Jenny McCarthy) is a high powered businesswoman who runs her own marketing and business advice company. However, her roots are at the North Pole...yes, she's Santa's daughter. When Santa has some health problems, Mrs. Claus calls Mary in to help get everything ready for the Big Day that is fast approaching. Mary obliges. But, can Mary's successful business techniques really work for the spirited but mentally infantile elves? We'll see. In the meantime, Mary has found her long lost love, Luke (Ivan Sergei), to be still employed as the area's mailman. And, he's still a doll, both in looks and demeanor. Is a repeat romance far away? This is a great movie, both for children and their parents. The elves are quite comical and should garner laughs from the little ones. Kids should also enjoy the enchanting village where Santa and his elves do their work. For grownups, McCarthy, Wendt, and company slyly draw forth mirth with their antics, as well. As for Sergei, this viewer would watch him recite a cereal box cover, a la Gigli, but, fortunately, this is not necessary. He brings charm, sweetness, and presence to his delightful character, Luke. What girl COULD resist? Kudos to the production company that brought this film to light. As a holiday gift to a family audience, it just does not get much better or more welcome than this.