In a sea of family Christmas films I seem to be on a mission to watch them all each and every Christmas. Usually while doing Christmas baking I will try out a new one so I gave this a go on a total fluke. It didn't blow me away in the least. The production value seems like next to nothing and the performances are hokey but you know what...it has everything you want from a strictly family oriented Christmas film. There is a ton of magic, romance, fantasy and its just simple fun. The biggest problem with this film is that there is absolutely nothing that stands out about it. We've even seen the "mannequin" come to life story before more than once! The cast is stiff (no pun intended) and the story is rushed. But I also doubt that it was made for my demographic. I would guess that little girls and their Mom's could curl up on the couch and truly enjoy this little film. However, outside of that demographic there just simply isn't a lot to cheer for here.
Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.
I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10
Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.
I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10