I Am Santa Claus

Executive producer Morgan Spurlock (famous for "Supersize Me", "The Greatest Story Ever Sold" and other documentaries), along with the longest list of producers and associate producers I've ever seen, have brought us a film about guys who portray Santa. The film crew spent an entire year following four men who have dedicated their lives to becoming Santa Claus and one who has recently decided to become Santa. So, while these guys get paid to portray the fat man only a small portion of the year, they eat, drink, sleep and think Santa all year long. All this and much more is seen in this non- narrated film that simply lets these men talk about their craft as well as do mostly normal everyday things--such as going shopping, house hunting and spending time with friends.

I love documentaries, so when I saw this brand new film about men who dress up as Santa, I was eager to see it. However, in some ways I really wish I hadn't. While there was some really interesting content (such as a cool version of "Deck the Halls" by Twisted Sister and seeing pro wrestler Nick Foley becoming Santa), some of the film featured too much information and I felt like a bit like a voyeur or a guy who accidentally walked in and found grandpa naked! After all, as a kid or even an adult, you don't want to think about Santa's sex life or see Santa getting drunk and becoming a bit profane! But here, it's a warts and all look at five Santas! As for me, I just didn't want to think of one Santa as a swinger or another attending a Bear and Cub convention. It reminded me of my old students who were so fond of saying..."T.M.I." (too much information)! Well made, yes, but also a bit tough to watch and, at times, a tad slow.

I have to admit, when I decided to start the Decembextravaganza! I had a gap in the third week. Straining to find a unique offering in the endless archives of overdone Christmas films, I finally struck gold when I heard a special edition of the Hollywood Babble On Podcast where Kevin Smith interviews director Tommy Avallone and professional wrestler/Christmas enthusiast Mick Foley. What followed was a conversation that lifted me out of the holiday funk that I've carried for many years. I listened as three grown men discussed what it was like to visit Santa as a kid and the magic it instills both in ourselves but also, what it means to the men who keep that magic alive, real bearded Santas.

I Am Santa Claus (2014) takes a behind the sleigh look (mind the pun) at what it takes to become the embodiment of Christmas for wide eyed children every year. Not normally being one for documentaries, I went on nothing more than what had transpired during the interview. And I have to admit, this film is great. If there is an emotion to be felt you will feel it here. Following a one year period in the lives of five Santas as they go through the normal everyday ups and downs, I Am Santa Claus allows the viewer to grow attached to each of its greatly varied subjects on a very emotional level. Included in the festivities is Mick Foley, who decides to follow suit and walk in the big black boots himself.—

This film is exactly what it purports to be: the story of five men who were suddenly, inexplicably seized with the Christmas spirit and undertook the wacky, specialized work of being Santa Claus. All five Santas have various challenges -- one is coming to terms with being a gruff jerk for most of his life, one has had a good run for many years and is now poverty-stricken and living with his daughter, one, raised in the Bible Belt, is now struggling with a long-distance same-sex relationship, and another is living the seeming good life in Southern California while being wound very tight around the axle. Oh, and the fifth one is heavy metal hero and shock wrestler Mick Foley, who is perhaps the sweetest of the sweet Santas. If you are expecting something as dark as "Bad Santa," this isn't it. If you are expecting something as scrubbed up as a made-for-TV movie, this isn't it. If you are willing to suspend your disbelief (it is Christmas, after all) and go with the film, you will love it. And you'll see the Christmas spirit shining through!

We have documented an entire year in the lives of five real-bearded professional Santa Clauses to find out what the rest of the year is like for a man who perpetually looks like Jolly Saint Nick. In the process, they are shown for who they actually are: flawed, flesh and blood men who feel an overbearing responsibility to protect the integrity of the spotless, untarnished reputation of the Red Suit.

This documentary is incredible. While most mall Santas are probably just older men from the community who want to give a little something back, this documentary sheds light on the hundreds of other Santas who take the lifestyle to a greater extreme. And the focus on just a handful of the more unconventional really makes this something to see.

We have a man struggling with making ends meet who turns to work as Santa, although he does not seem to have the heart for the job (and if this film is any indication, he has terrible eating habits). And then we have the gay Santa who poses for some questionable magazines. Oddly, although this guy sounds like someone a good Christian may not want associating with their children, he is presented as the most caring and sincere of any of the guys in this film. More than anyone else, he embodies the Santa persona.

And then there is Mick Foley. Although the name will be familiar to many, the man might not be. Seeing his kindness, his love of children is inspiring. At times things seem a little bizarre (his 12-year old son apparently still believes in Santa), but his exploration of the transformation process is incredible.

This movie accomplished what it set out to do. And that was to show what the guys who emulate Santa at Christmas do the rest of the year. I felt this movie gave an interesting cross section of Santas. This documentary had engaged all my emotions from blinking back tears to rolling in the isles laughter. Most of all it exposed their vulnerability to life like the rest of us. I found that it did reveal the one thing they all had in common was Love for humanity expressed in living the Christmas spirit year round. The claymation figure was a nice addition to the cast and it keep things on the light side. DO NOT VIEW THIS WITH ANY YOUNG CHILDREN. ADULTS ONLY. So pull up your easy chair, get your popcorn and enjoy some truly entertaining moments.