Off Season

This film could actually be a sequel to one of my seasonal favourites "Santa & Pete", where Hume Cronyn plays Saint Nicholas who gradually grows in to the Father Christmas we know and love today. It is quite possible that he is still going strong at the time of "Off Season/Secret Santa" and staying at the hotel where Macauley's little brother Rory meets him.

It's a charming little story that has twists and turns and isn't your typical made for TV Christmas film with it's focus on a romance. In fact it's not even set in December. The younger Culkin brother, similar in many ways to his brother as Kevin from "Home Alone" plays his part well as does Mr Cronyn, although he's not what you'd call a typical Santa.

There is humour and schmaltz and thoughtful moments. With a bit of Hollywood polish, it would make a great film for the big screen and could be made today, but this one does the job well enough. I wish I could write a story like this.

I Almost did not watch this movie because of a thought that it might be another attempt to take advantage of the "Macaulay Culkin" era! A time when it was believed that a cute kid could make any movie good!

Poor Macaulay might have lost his stardom because of the efforts of Hollywood to push him into many movies TOO quick! Not to mention the intervention of his overbearing father.

LOOKS GOOD FOR RORY THOUGH! Although a bit of his brother's personality is present, enough of his own shines through to give him a glowing opportunity to be whatever he wishes to become.

Oh, by the way, did you guess that I liked this movie? Made me laugh a few times, and that is saying alot!

(NOTICE: Some language may not be acceptable by parents, but does not exceed -->> "Damn & Hell")

Beautifully written balancing act. If you value words as much as you do effective visuals (cute kids, rumpled geezers, Sherilyn Fenn's loopy charms) you might enjoy this one as much as I did. And while it's not going to do anything to diminish a 10 year old's vision of Christmas, the film does a nice little roller-coaster number; keeping a tight grip and always staying on track to that wispy, fine line between Fantasy and Real Life. (Right through to the last fade out before the credits.)

This beautifully done movie has all the makings of a Christmas classic. As soon as it's available, I'm going to buy it. The writing, the acting, the photography (done in warm, glowing reds with touches of green), and the story are all perfect. It's done with taste,imagination, wit and subtlety.

The movie is a perfect blend of reality (depicting real-life people and situations) with fantasy (the Santa angle)-- the two essential elements of a moving Christmas classic, in the tradition of Miracle on 34th St. and One Magic Christmas (underrated and unjustly neglected).

Try by all means to see it while it's on this season. If you miss it, make sure you catch it next year.

Just watched this on the Sony channel on Sky TV for the first time and I absolutely loved it. Great cast, great story and it gives you that warm christmassy feeling you want from a Christmas movie. Really enjoyed this. Over here in the UK it was actually called Secret Santa. A must watch for any Christmas movie fan.