IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.5K
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Shannon, a single mother, is forced to chauffeur a wealthy eccentric around town on Christmas Eve while he gives away cash to complete strangers. When a reporter pursues the story, a new rom... Read allShannon, a single mother, is forced to chauffeur a wealthy eccentric around town on Christmas Eve while he gives away cash to complete strangers. When a reporter pursues the story, a new romance blossoms.Shannon, a single mother, is forced to chauffeur a wealthy eccentric around town on Christmas Eve while he gives away cash to complete strangers. When a reporter pursues the story, a new romance blossoms.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Featured reviews
It came on lifetime last night. I liked the line of the story, My father mentioned it was like a mix of all the good Christ mas movie that come on every year, Christmas carol, Miracle on 34th street, etc.
I was surprised, it wasn't like a normal Lifetime Movie, It was Good! No beating women no one got killed. The only thing i could see was that the main character Shannon McManus-Johnson was a single mother who lost her parents and take care of the child the best way she could she had some issues but who wouldn't in her situation.
Some things i noticed, Aurthur Finnegan, Freds lawyer Said that he's boyfriend was a puppeteer on Sesame Street and did the Butt part of Mr. Snuffleupagus. I'm a puppeteer and love the Muppet's, i not of the gay persuasion but thought that was cool. Also they missed the Little old lady who took care of Trevor in the cast list, i seen her once before in a older Muppet short "hey Cinderella". I wanted to see if thats who i thought it was.
all in all Great TV movie
I was surprised, it wasn't like a normal Lifetime Movie, It was Good! No beating women no one got killed. The only thing i could see was that the main character Shannon McManus-Johnson was a single mother who lost her parents and take care of the child the best way she could she had some issues but who wouldn't in her situation.
Some things i noticed, Aurthur Finnegan, Freds lawyer Said that he's boyfriend was a puppeteer on Sesame Street and did the Butt part of Mr. Snuffleupagus. I'm a puppeteer and love the Muppet's, i not of the gay persuasion but thought that was cool. Also they missed the Little old lady who took care of Trevor in the cast list, i seen her once before in a older Muppet short "hey Cinderella". I wanted to see if thats who i thought it was.
all in all Great TV movie
Just adding to other reviews, they cover the story and whether entertaining (I thought it was). Something I liked was how it wasn't perfectly PC, it's only little stuff but someone over 50 like me would probably also notice. I liked the subtle and realistic use of city/northern expressions :) like 'knock yourself out.' All of the acting was pretty good, I agree that HH went a little cheesy sometimes and you might've liked to poke the kid for whining.
The kick to see it was Yannick Bisson. I love his acting , humor and...good look.
The second was Andrea Roth and the curiosity about her skills for a reasonable role in a Christmas film.
The prize -lovely job of young Jason Spevack and, no doubts, seductive version of Santa offered, in generous, proper, precise manner by Howard Hesseman.
Romance, past, an eccentric client and his secret, a driver , single mother, a reporter and the expected end. The result is a pleasant Christmas film, using the dreams of its public in smart manner, scene by scene.
So, a real good film for innocent life lessons, for humor, for story but, especially, for acting.
The second was Andrea Roth and the curiosity about her skills for a reasonable role in a Christmas film.
The prize -lovely job of young Jason Spevack and, no doubts, seductive version of Santa offered, in generous, proper, precise manner by Howard Hesseman.
Romance, past, an eccentric client and his secret, a driver , single mother, a reporter and the expected end. The result is a pleasant Christmas film, using the dreams of its public in smart manner, scene by scene.
So, a real good film for innocent life lessons, for humor, for story but, especially, for acting.
This isn't drastically different from the multitudes of other Christmas TV movies out there, but this one is just a little different and special somewhere to me. It's grown on me a lot over the years and I've strangely found myself watching it every year, it gives me the kind of wholesome old-fashioned warm genuine Christmas vibes that aren't really something I get very often from movies like this anymore. When I was a little boy, I used to think that Christmas was so super-magical, all of the festive atmosphere and little precious ceremonies all made me feel so happy and it was like proof that the world could be a bright happy place, when I'd feel sad as a kid I could just talk about Christmas to cheer myself up! Anywho this film isn't what I'd call overly sappy and to me it doesn't have the kind of overly-dramatic dialogue that gives TV films a bad name. And while it's nothing amazing, it really worked for me and I loved it, I thought it was genuinely heartwarming. I liked the woman and her kid and the way it established how they were going to have to make do with a really poor Christmas because they didn't have much, it made me care about them as characters. Howard Hesseman was brilliant and a real hoot as the eccentric rich old man with the answer to their prayers as he hires her as a chauffeur to drive him around New York on Christmas Eve while causing a media sensation with the random drive by acts of wild generosity by throwing wads of money to all around him for no other reason than sheer manic kindness and to spread the joy! All of the scenes where he does that really tickled me and made me smile because if there was ever one thing to really get any crowd ground going anywhere, ever, it would be free money! He is for all intents and purposes this movie's Santa Claus and while he does have an ulterior motive in helping her it's nothing too heavy.. The story does get a bit hectic at the end and I don't care for the pointless romance subplot that's thrown in, but overall it's all harmless sweet fun that projects a good image and theme of Christmas joy and family togetherness, and it has an endearing tone that I can only describe as cosy, it's a very nice uplifting picture to lighten the mood around the icy year's end. Thanks everyone, happy holidays to you X
I'm a sucker for a good Christmas movie; I really wish I'd seen one last night.
Even the prospect of an attractive female lead didn't save this movie from becoming increasingly annoying as it progressed. Howard Hessman's character was at first lovably eccentric, but then excessively weird. The token cute little moppet (the son) wasn't so cute. There was little to no chemistry between the two leads - instead of romance, I felt more like they were about to establish a limited liability partnership for tax shelter purposes (after all, she's studying for the CPA exam!). And, the heart-tugging revelations at the end just didn't tug my heart.
Move along, people. There's nothing to see here.
Even the prospect of an attractive female lead didn't save this movie from becoming increasingly annoying as it progressed. Howard Hessman's character was at first lovably eccentric, but then excessively weird. The token cute little moppet (the son) wasn't so cute. There was little to no chemistry between the two leads - instead of romance, I felt more like they were about to establish a limited liability partnership for tax shelter purposes (after all, she's studying for the CPA exam!). And, the heart-tugging revelations at the end just didn't tug my heart.
Move along, people. There's nothing to see here.
Did you know
- TriviaFred is saying Merry Christmas to everyone in different languages as he gives away his money. At some point he says to the reporter "kala Christoúgenna." The reporter asks the camerawoman what he said, and she replied, "Its Greek to me," and in fact that is Greek for Merry Christmas.
- GoofsIn addition to the missing 'Private Property' sign, the wreath on the gate has vanished, and the gate now hinges on the right rather than the left side.
- ConnectionsReferences Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
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- Also known as
- Secret Santa
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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