A very sorry tale--with a weird message and dismal "anwser" for kids grieving a parent. It doesn't work. This story doesn't resonate with even a fairytale depiction of hopes and dreams or recognizable human characteristics.
The premise of "A Mom for Christmas" is that a little girl misses her dead mother and so she wishes a store mannequin will be her mom for the holiday. What?! What studio executive thought there was an audience of kids who want a mannequin for a parent? The script doesn't work, even though, in the fairy godmother role, Doris Roberts (as the magical mentor) does her best. She is the one bright spot in this movie.
Unfortunately, the acting styles of the rest of the cast do nothing to redeem a poorly conceived story.
Olivia Newton John doesn't aspire to portray any deeper emotions or intellect than a store mannequin--even though she was supposed to "come to life" and fulfill the little girl's wish for a real mom. Her idea of depicting emotions consist of a lot of exaggerated and laughable eye-popping.
Instead of creating a mom character the little girl could bond with, Olivia plays the role like she herself were a five-year-old girl in a sitcom--constantly opening her eyes wide, like a surprised bat.
WHY THE MOVIE DOESN'T WORK...
Most fairy tales are based in tragedy--especially comedies. The well-made fairy tales can make us believe in even the most far-fetched premise because they infuse the fantasy with a subtext of human experience--our secret wishes, hopes, fears and dreams.
"A Mom For Christmas" aspires to be a Christmas fairytale--but lacks any compelling story elements.
Compare other Christmas fairy tales: For example: "ELF" Will Ferrell is an orphaned human adopted by elves. although he loves his "elf family", deep-down, Will feels like an outsider. The movie uses humor to tell a simple tale but under the silly antics and fun, we appreciate his quest to find out about his mysterious past and recognize Will's longing to "belong." Even though it is a light and silly movie, we care about Will as the "Elf" and go along with the "Fairytale" elements because the underlying premise of the movie resonates with the human experience of hopes and dreams.
Unfortuanately, this Christmas "fairytale" flops.
The premise of "A Mom for Christmas" is that a little girl misses her dead mother and so she wishes a store mannequin will be her mom for the holiday. What?! What studio executive thought there was an audience of kids who want a mannequin for a parent? The script doesn't work, even though, in the fairy godmother role, Doris Roberts (as the magical mentor) does her best. She is the one bright spot in this movie.
Unfortunately, the acting styles of the rest of the cast do nothing to redeem a poorly conceived story.
Olivia Newton John doesn't aspire to portray any deeper emotions or intellect than a store mannequin--even though she was supposed to "come to life" and fulfill the little girl's wish for a real mom. Her idea of depicting emotions consist of a lot of exaggerated and laughable eye-popping.
Instead of creating a mom character the little girl could bond with, Olivia plays the role like she herself were a five-year-old girl in a sitcom--constantly opening her eyes wide, like a surprised bat.
WHY THE MOVIE DOESN'T WORK...
Most fairy tales are based in tragedy--especially comedies. The well-made fairy tales can make us believe in even the most far-fetched premise because they infuse the fantasy with a subtext of human experience--our secret wishes, hopes, fears and dreams.
"A Mom For Christmas" aspires to be a Christmas fairytale--but lacks any compelling story elements.
Compare other Christmas fairy tales: For example: "ELF" Will Ferrell is an orphaned human adopted by elves. although he loves his "elf family", deep-down, Will feels like an outsider. The movie uses humor to tell a simple tale but under the silly antics and fun, we appreciate his quest to find out about his mysterious past and recognize Will's longing to "belong." Even though it is a light and silly movie, we care about Will as the "Elf" and go along with the "Fairytale" elements because the underlying premise of the movie resonates with the human experience of hopes and dreams.
Unfortuanately, this Christmas "fairytale" flops.