One Magic Christmas

One Magic Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. While I don't remember seeing it in the theater (apparantly I did, but I had just turned 3 years old), I watched our videotaped copy (recorded off of the Disney Channel circa 1986) so many times as a little girl(regardless of the season), the first few minutes of the tape literally wore out, filling with snow and static. This, and the fact that I had every line memorized, has become something of Christmas Lore in my family. Tonight (Christmas 2005), I watched the film again with my parents and sister for the first time in many years, and was stuck by several things: first, how well the film has held up over the last twenty-years; second, how special and unique the message is from "traditional" family holiday movies that were made in the 80s and 90s; and third, how I still remember many of the lines of dialog -- they are indelibly etched into my brain after literally hundreds of viewings.

"One Magic Christmas" is sort of an alternate take on "It's a Wonderful Life" -- centering around a family who has fallen on hard times with a mother who never says "Merry Christmas" and is generally devoid of any holiday sentiment altogether. Her daughter Abbie, together with the Christmas Angel Gideon, embark on a plan to help her re-find the Christmas spirit.

Mary Steenburgen is fantastic as the loving, but icy mother. Her performance is very real -- she is both funny and dramatic, and her character is developed in a way that most family films omit. Harry Dean Stanton is perfect as Gideon, the angel - calming and knowing. You believe he is who he says he is. The child actors in the film are equally fantastic. In a family film, the kids can either make it or break it. These children act like real kids -- they aren't trying to be cute for the camera (although they really are adorable -- and this is coming from someone who dislikes most children on TV/movies) and they hold their own with their adult counterparts with ease. The little girl that plays Abbie is effortless in her portrayal of a girl with an non-wavering belief in Santa Clause.

Honestly, one of the things I think that I like best about this film is how real it seems. Considering magic and faith are primary elements of the story - this really says something. The acting is so good, the dialog believable, that the more mystical situations do not seem out of bounds. The film also delves into darker, more realistic themes than you get in most family fare. This is really exceptional, especially considering this was a Disney picture. The ultimate message of the film is heartening and poignant - even for those of us who are grown and long-since stopped believing in Santa and magic.

This is one of those movies that just feels good to watch. I can honestly say, even if this film didn't have the sentimental value it does for me, I would still recommend it as an excellent Christmas movie.

I thought i had it all under control, but this film has flipped under my radar ...till now. weirdly enough,cause its a disney production,i thought i had all of them.

one magic christmas is of the old school innocent 1980's x-mas film productions,aboutnon believers,empty wallet,jobless, cold blistering snowy weather ,magic angels(i wouldve been scared by harry dean stanton as an angel), northpole,santas work shop, not filled with elves,but old crumbling people,and a miracle++ in the end.

its jolly enough, its just so dead slow,and nearly takes the spirit away,but it pravails at the end. i miss the traditional x-mas calender that have become a main subject in 90% of newer productions.

the acting are at average standard,who got me most excited were the santa claus himsel, a very truthful act indeed.

its a recommended x-mas movie

This is indeed an underrated Christmas classic! I saw this movie as a kid in the theater and my mom was a bit turned off by the disturbing nature of some scenes, but now that I've watched it as an adult, I love all the references to It's a Wonderful Life, and all the dark elements in the film. It's nice to see a holiday film that cuts through the schmaltz. People often label It's a Wonderful Life as being too sentimental and sappy, but seem to overlook the themes of suicide, child abuse, poverty and death that run throughout the film. Things have to hit rock bottom for George Bailey to see the value of his life, as is the case in this film. The sheer darkness of what could be, as shown by the angel Gideon, make Ginny's embracing the Christmas spirit all the more resonant.

When One Magic Christmas came out in 1985 on TV, my mom recorded it on to a VHS tape. We had this beat up, bad copy of the movie. You had to turn the volume up all the way in order to hear anything, still this movie was amazing to me. Mary Steenbergen doesn't believe in Christmas or Santa. She is such a scrooge about the season, that not even her kids' excitement could change the way she feels. With an angels' help, her daughter Abby, tries to get her into the spirit. It's full of magic, adventure, enchantment, and many lessons learned. One Magic Christmas is funny, dramatic, and wholesome. It's one of those movies that you truly can watch with your whole family, and everyone will like it. My sister and I loved it so much when we were kids that we used to watch it year round. I love this movie very much. They just recently re-released it on DVD, so now I have a good copy of the movie that has meant so much to me growing up. I still say that it's one of my all time favorite movies!!!!

This film has had mixed reviews and I can understand why. There are far too many North American families who were born post 1970's who have never had to want for very much. Those reviewers who lived above a blue collar lifestyle with regular restaurant meals and three (3) or more cars in their double garages, would not understand the reality of a family facing hard times .

Actress Mary Steenburgen who plays a working mother named Ginny Grainger, who works at the local grocery store as a cashier is struggling financially to keep a roof over her children's heads and Christmas time is more of a nightmare experience than a dream filled with chocolates and plum pudding as some of these other reviewers may have experienced annually.

Ginny's angel named Gideon is played uncharacteristically by actor Harry Dean Stanton. Gideon interacts with the entire Grainger family and he explains to the children how his own circumstances while on earth led him to become an angel placed back on earth to bring the spirit of Christmas back to the Grainger family.

This may be a bit different story line mixing death, crime and financial stresses all wrapped up in a perfectly tied bow of love and emotion in the true spirit of Christmas.

It is well worth watching on your Christmas list and don't believe any of the naysayers if you are truly a believer in the Christmas spirit!!!!!

An 8 out of 10 rating on the Christmas calendar scale.