All I Want for Christmas

When little Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchax enters into a department store's "All I Want for Christmas" contest, he has no idea that he's about to completely change his and his single mom's life. All he does is wish for his mom, Gail O'Grady to get remarried so she'll be happier. His entry wins the contest, and Gail is swept up in a whirlwind publicity campaign complete with a makeover, new wardrobe, and camera crew following her private moments. When the suitors don't suit her, she starts to get closer Greg Germann, who is not only in charge of the contest but is the heir to the department store.

Here's my problem with the movie: Robert Mailhouse plays Gail's next door neighbor and friend. He's obviously in love with her, but for some reason has never told her about his feelings. As we see Gail and Greg start dating, we're supposed to think he's a poor substitute for Robert. We're supposed to hope she comes to her senses and sees Greg's flaws. But Greg is extremely wealthy, full of class, romantic, sweet, and very handsome. Robert is poor, has a hardly impressive job, would rather eat at a hot dog stand than a five-star restaurant, and since he's known Gail for years, there's no sweetness or romance present in their rapport. And, although Jimmy gets along better with Robert, he'd never had the opportunity to look upon Robert as a stepfather figure. The first time Robert would scold him, he would get just as upset as he did when Greg scolded him.

I'm not going to spoil the story for anyone who wants to watch it, but I didn't agree with the general tone of the romance. It was clear from the get-go whom the audience was supposed to root for, and I was left on the sidelines. My only consolation: if Gail was stupid enough to choose the inferior candidate (I'm writing 'if' to avoid spoilers) then she didn't deserve him and he'll be better off with someone who can appreciate all he has to offer.