A young woman from a privileged life falls for a soup-kitchen owner after discovering a Dear Santa letter written by his 7-year-old daughter.A young woman from a privileged life falls for a soup-kitchen owner after discovering a Dear Santa letter written by his 7-year-old daughter.A young woman from a privileged life falls for a soup-kitchen owner after discovering a Dear Santa letter written by his 7-year-old daughter.
Photos
Paulina 'Miel' Chmielecka
- Saleswoman
- (as Paulina Chmielecka)
Dave El Wray
- Soup Kitchen Grizz
- (uncredited)
Kristina Elliott
- Jennifer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Crystal is checking her mail near the end of the film, the zip code on the top letter reads 701209. The last five digits transposed backwards read 90210, the show that the director, Jason Priestley, starred in during the 1990s.
- GoofsDuring the opening title sequence Crystal is Christmas-shopping and takes out her iPhone to loot at her shopping list via the iPhone-notes app. Although nearly every shop sports Christmas window-displays, the phone shows "Today 31 Mar" in the note.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Cinema Snob: Dear Santa (2016)
Featured review
The main reasons as to why Christmas has always been my favourite time of year are because it means lots of family time and reliving the nostalgia and fond memories of singing and listening to carols, watching Christmas films and animations, playing festive games and opening presents. Will never tire of it and nothing will ever change that for the world.
'Dear Santa', watched as another film seen as part of my quest to broaden my festive film horizons, is never going to be among my favourites, Christmas films and overall, falling short of being great. It is though one of the more watchable Christmas films seen recently (the general standard being very, very hit and miss) and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other recently seen Christmas films have fallen into. Like a lot of them, there is appeal for some but others will find it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'Dear Santa' is generally one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, if not one of the classics.
As to be expected 'Dear Santa's' story is predictable, with a lot of easily telegraphed scenes and an outcome that is obvious from the outset. Some draggy pacing here and there too, with it taking a little too long to get going.
Some of the film goes overboard on the cheese and schmaltz in the writing. It did take me time to warm to the lead character, which did happen thankfully because there was growth and it for me rang true.
Visually, 'Dear Santa' looks decent, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least generally, found the leads quite endearing, and wasn't bored. The Christmas atmosphere is handled charmingly and affectionately and the romance is genuinely sweet and doesn't go overboard on the schmaltz.
Predictability aside, 'Dear Santa' was well-intentioned and had a difficult to dislike atmosphere and some amusing comedic moments that didn't flag or over-stretch. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality generally doesn't become too much. Jason Priestly directs surprisingly competently. The acting actually comes over very well, the cast all give likeable performances without being too broad yet still having a good deal of personality. Amy Acker, Emma Duke and Gina Holden fare strongest. The chemistry charms and entertains.
Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox
'Dear Santa', watched as another film seen as part of my quest to broaden my festive film horizons, is never going to be among my favourites, Christmas films and overall, falling short of being great. It is though one of the more watchable Christmas films seen recently (the general standard being very, very hit and miss) and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other recently seen Christmas films have fallen into. Like a lot of them, there is appeal for some but others will find it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'Dear Santa' is generally one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, if not one of the classics.
As to be expected 'Dear Santa's' story is predictable, with a lot of easily telegraphed scenes and an outcome that is obvious from the outset. Some draggy pacing here and there too, with it taking a little too long to get going.
Some of the film goes overboard on the cheese and schmaltz in the writing. It did take me time to warm to the lead character, which did happen thankfully because there was growth and it for me rang true.
Visually, 'Dear Santa' looks decent, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least generally, found the leads quite endearing, and wasn't bored. The Christmas atmosphere is handled charmingly and affectionately and the romance is genuinely sweet and doesn't go overboard on the schmaltz.
Predictability aside, 'Dear Santa' was well-intentioned and had a difficult to dislike atmosphere and some amusing comedic moments that didn't flag or over-stretch. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality generally doesn't become too much. Jason Priestly directs surprisingly competently. The acting actually comes over very well, the cast all give likeable performances without being too broad yet still having a good deal of personality. Amy Acker, Emma Duke and Gina Holden fare strongest. The chemistry charms and entertains.
Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 15, 2019
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- CA$3,950,000 (estimated)
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