Christmas time can be difficult if you don’t celebrate it. It can be very overwhelming with all the media hype, decorations on every street corner, music piped in all stores, Santa Clause sitting on candy cane thrones, Salvation Army bells ringing, all of your friends posting pictures of their tree with tons of presents waiting to be opened, and enticing sales to purchase anything and everything all while wearing a Santa hat. Wow. I am not jealous. I was raised very confidently within my faith. I love Chanukah, but most do not know about our traditions or how we celebrate for eight days and nights. I tried to pass the feeling along to my children so they would never feel “left out.” I also let them enjoy visiting stunning neighborhood holiday light shows, watching the wonder of intricate display windows, and partying with friends from all faiths.
Watching movies as a child and with my children was a lifesaver during this time of year. I love the family getting together, eating, laughing, and eventually being whisked away deep within a world of suspending our disbelief. Believe it or not, THE SANTA CLAUSE movie offered us these magical moments. It touched my heart and made me smile seeing a divorced dad and his son heal and come together with her ex and new husband. Oh, I adored how much the father and son grew in their love and pride for each other. It was funny, poignant, and inspiring. It didn’t matter that it was a Christmas movie because the theme was universal. All anyone really wants is to find their path in life and be surrounded by love. It just felt all warm and fuzzy, especially when someone believes in who you are and wants to go into the family business.
Tim Allen as Scott Calvin was perfect. His tone and sarcastic zingers were delivered with a quiet pizazz. I believe his blue eyes twinkled, “there was such a clatter,” and he cared for those reindeer, especially Comet (Fifteen real reindeer were trained for nine months and used throughout the movie). It took four hours to put on Santa’s makeup each day and two hours to remove it. He could only stand filming for six due to how hot his fat, red suits were. Many of Scott and Santa’s lines were entwined with references to Allen’s hit TV series, HOME IMPROVEMENT.
The set offered a gorgeous, highly imaginative, and creative toy shop. What child or adult wouldn’t want to ride that train or fly across the night sky in a pimped-out sleigh? If you look closely, Mickey Mouse’s face is faintly visible on the full moon. Disney is everywhere.
Eric Lloyd as Scott’s son, Charlie, was adorable. His cherub cheeks made every mom want to pinch them with delight gently. When he hugged his dad, I cried. What can I say? Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson were so in sync with Charlie’s mom and stepdad. It was rewarding seeing them both embrace their inner child, especially when finally receiving a Mystery Date Game and an Oscar Myers Weenie Whistle. Again, I cried happy tears.
THE SANTA CLAUSE movie reinforces the age-old theory “seeing isn’t believing and believing is seen. Most parents can’t believe in magic because it kind of gets knocked out of them as they get older.” What a shame. I think I will choose to stay young forever and be entertained each holiday season by the wonderful, mystical, mysterious powers of THE SANTA CLAUSE. If you can’t reach me, no worries; I will be watching movies with my son and grandson.
THE SANTA CLAUSE is streaming on DISNEY +.
