"The Case for Christmas" is one of the few movies of the Christmas holidays romance genre that was obviously made for families to watch at home - especially parents with small children. That doesn't mean that older children and adults themselves wont enjoy it. I think most will because it combines fantasy with some light comedy and romance. Most people enjoy fantasy that is good, wholesome or adventurous. So, this really is a Christmas family film.
While it's not likely that any modern movie will able to match the few mid-20th century Christmas films that have become family classics, good films with good plots, screenplays and performances are always welcome and add to the enjoyment of movies over the holiday season. And while the plot for this film is fairly simple, it has two things especially going for it that lift it above the pack of annual holiday films. The first is the fantasy aspect, with the humor as Santa and his managing elf, Charlie frequently exchange places - between the North Pole and New York City - at the twitch of a nose.
The second big plus for this film is the acting by the lead characters. The portrayals by Dean Cain as Michael, Rachel Blanchard as Lauren, and Helen Colliander as Lily are so natural, not exaggerated or hammy or overplayed or under played. It's as though they weren't aware of the camera being there and shooting the scenes. The opening of the film at the North Pole had me thinking that this might be a very hokey film. But the first few minutes in the home of Michael and Lily, and I was set to enjoy this film and see how it would turn out. One knew right away that it would be Michael who would be defending Santa in the courtroom
And, with the court case involving Kris Kringle, the film begs comparison with the 1947 classic, "Miracle on 34th Street." And, some other reviewers dutifully note. But for the matter of a court case with the scenes in court, the bulk of this film is quite different. This film uses lots of fantasy with "magic" of Santa and Charlie appearing and disappearing with a twinkle on the screen. There was none of that in the 1947 film, but it had a much more complex story.
This film does have some overacting, especially with Barry Flatman as Braxton Bennett and Krista Bridges as Dina Smiger, his attorney. But, one gives their roles an edge because they seem obviously to further their images as the villains in the story. I was glad that Bridges toned it down after the first scene, so that she didn't come off looking like a dope. It was okay for Bennett to have that honor, but then the end had a little surprise there that's actually quite good
Others have noted the performance of George Buza as Kris Kringle. I think he played it just right - not too overboard, yet somewhat boisterous but not discombobulated. His is one of the very best Santas I can recall ever seeing in the movies - right after Edmund Gwenn in the 1947 classic.
So many of the Christmas romance films are made for older teens through adults as grandparents. Tots, toddlers, and the younger kids fall asleep on those or quickly lose interest But this is a nice Christmas film that should hold everyone's interest over the holidays - even one to watch along with the standards, over succeeding years.
