Dir. William Dear, 92 mins, USA, 2000
Cast. Leslie Nielsen, Steven Eckholdt, Robyn Lively, Max Morrow, Tommy Davidson
Review by Michelle Moore
What better to watch in this cold weather than a Christmas movie to get you in the spirit for the season to come. Staring the comedy legend Leslie Nielsen, Santa Who? is a film that was originally released as a TV movie first shown back in 2000, but over a decade on is finally coming to DVD.
The movie centres on TV news reporter Peter Albright (Eckholdt), a man who is afraid-of-commitment and doesn’t quite have the Christmas spirit. When a man dressed as Santa falls (literally) into his life, he is like most grown adults and doesn’t believe this could be the real Santa. When Santa awakens he has amnesia and can’t remember who he is, so it is up to the Peter’s girlfriend’s son Zack to convince everyone around him that Santa is real and he is in New York.
Starring the late comedian Leslie Nielsen, this movie is the perfect treat for the upcoming holiday season. It is fun for all the family; it has reindeers, elves, a sleigh and of course Santa Claus. It really touches the heart with its theme of giving Santa something for Christmas for a change – his identity back. Adults as well as children can’t help but want to be a part of this Santa’s life, giving him a gift in return for the years of his generosity. It makes you realise that when it comes to Christmas and the season of giving, everyone has that special place in their heart for helping and caring for others.
There is plenty of comedy with Santa’s (plural) falling through shopping mall Christmas display railings, chattering teeth and four funky elves. The appearance of the elves are not like you would image, they give off attitude and are not as small as one may think in this instance. Although they have the pointy ears, one has an earring and another is fairly simple minded, not your typical computer wiz or organised North Pole official, but very funny never the less.
This is not your typical Santa Claus movie about the festive season and all things jolly. In fact there is nothing jolly about Santa not remembering he is the most magical and extraordinary person in a child’s life. Having said that, when Santa regains his memory thanks to the determination one little lad, the magic truly begins and Christmas is saved. Santa Who? is a brilliantly touching movie that puts the Christmas spirit back into the lives of non-believers. No matter your age, you can always believe in Santa and this movie goes to prove it.
Santa Who? is available to own on DVD 24 October
xx - posted on 23/05/2012 13:13:28
