Le plus beau cadeau du monde

A brother (Ethan Embry) and sister (Thora Birch) attempt to bring their divorced parents back together for Christmas.

Apparently this film did poorly at the box office and critics hated it, too. I can understand that, as it is sort of a lame version of "The Parent Trap", except less quirky and the kids try much less seriously. Really, this one had me wondering why the parents broke up in the first place. (Presumably if it was worth divorcing over, they probably should not get re-married).

What makes this average film worth watching is the kids. Ethan Embry is decent and it is no surprise he has gone on to a remarkable career. Thora Birch is fantastic. Just amazing. Exactly what happened to her, I do not know. After "Ghost World" she seems to have faded away.

This movie is a great movie for all those who have been in a situation that you thought you would have no control of. This movie goes with the whole parent trap idea of getting two parents back together. Through a series of events they attempt to. This movie gives hope to all young children who's parents have split. For those children who's parents haven't it's good family fun.

Thora Birch ( Monkey Trouble, Now and Then) is young in this movie, she's very cute though. Ethan Embry ( Can't Hardly Wait, Empire Records) is also very good in this movie, his performance is fairly powerful for a kids movie, you really understand how much he wants his parents together. Leslie Nielsen plays a good Santa Clause, it's a small part but he plays it well. Lauren Bacall plays a very impressive role, her character is very down to earth and a very likable person. She plays a veteran actress in this movie who knows what's going on around her.

If you haven't seen this movie I suggest renting it. It's worth a rent, you just have to adapt to the fact that it's a movie for younger kids, but it's a movie we can all relate to.

How can you watch a movie with Thora Birch and not just want to eat her up for being so cute. I am not referring to the lovely Thora in American Beauty, but the really cute one in this film.

She just wants Santa to get her parents back together. Her brother Ethan (Ethan Embry) doesn't believe in Santa, so he tries to help make his sister's wish come true with the help of the lovely Amy Oberer.

Now, I don't know what mom (Harley Jane Kozak) sees in Kevin Nealon, when her ex is Jamey Sheridan (Syriana, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"), so he must have screwed up big time.

Anyway, Ethan comes through and all is well. Or, was it Santa (Leslie Nielsen)?

"All I Want for Christmas" is a good modern Christmas movie. Film critic Michael Medved described it best as, "The satisfying family picture that we've all been waiting for." That was alluding to the plethora of Christmas films that are made every year for the holiday season. So many are syrupy, silly or assembly line melodramas. While the plot for this film is predictable, that doesn't mean it isn't or can't be very good. Most comedy romances are predictable, and there have been many very good films in that genre, especially in the mid-20th century. It's the details of a plot, the quality of the screenplay, and the performers that make the difference. And, those are all good in this movie.

This film might also be considered something of a comedy romance, but the focus here is on two children and their efforts to get their divorced parents back together. The final plot on Christmas eve is a lot of fun. The settings are good, and the performances are quite good.

Lauren Bacall plays the grandmother, Lillian Brooks. Harley Jane Kozak and Jamey Sheridan play the divorced parents, Catherine and Michael O'Fallon. Some other roles are fine, including Leslie Nielsen as the store Santa Claus. But the best of the roles are Ethan Embry as young teenager Ethan O'Fallon, and Thora Birch as the nine-year-old Hallie O'Fallon. She is especially good and very adorable as an intelligent and cute third grader.

This is a good Christmas season movie that the whole family should enjoy - even well into the 21st century.

Here's my favorite exchange of lines.

Hallie O'Fallon, "Hi! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah!" Mr. Chase, "Hallie, darling, happy holidays." Hallie, "Teacher says you should always say both things in New York because people are really sensitive."

I think this is a great movie. Perfect for families to watch on christmas eve together. Ethan Embry(credited as Ethan Randall) gave a stunning performance for a 12-13 year old, in only his second starring role. Flawless New York accent. Thora Birch was of course perfect for the role of Hallie, and seeing Leslie Nielson as Santa was cool. Kevin Nealon deserves some credit for his role, that man always amuses me.

Although the movie is quite typical for a family christmas film, I like it better than most.

8.5/10 stars.