Call Me Claus

The movie starts out slowly, but, gently evolves into a tale of overcoming past pain and disappointment. As with most Christmas stories the premise is sort of limited but has a great ending. Destined to become a classic, in my humble opinion.

I acquired this one on a DVD from the USA, the only place its available. I found the film most entertaining, thanks to the performances of Whoopi Goldberg and Nigel Hawthorn whom I had known from the BBC series Yes Minister. Indeed I was distressed to learn that he had died whilst I was in the course of reading other comments about this film. Whoopi Goldberg, I knew and loved in Ghost, Jumpin' Jack Flash and the Sister Act movies.

The storyline here is quite original, a little slow to get off the ground but that Christmas magic is there and I think we all, old and young, like films where Father Xmases, sleighs and reindeers are involved, especially if the reindeers have shiny/luminous noses.

I was most touched by the flashback to Whoopi's childhood where she had asked the same Father Xmas to bring her Daddy back, this was probably the most emotional part of the film. The rest was more lighthearted and the only aspect I did not like was the over commercialisation of Xmas where you have to sell sell and sell more ! However the magic of the film makes up for the rest of this. It's a nice DVD to have at home and to put on a couple of times a year !

Dated film now - but notable for a (somewhat overwritten) relevant , often humorous and grown-up script. Sets are not overly cheap and the pace moves along. Moral of the film is the invasion of consumerism into everything. Actor Hawthorne does a very professional job - shame he's maybe too old at this point. The let down (as usual) is Goldberg - who's spent 80% of her career phoning-in a performance and delivering a scene with the one aim of receiving the cheque for it. Utterly surprised she is ever employed as an actor.

Nick (Nigel Hawthorne) is nearing the end of his 200 year term as Santa Claus and needs to find his successor. Failure to do so will bring calamity such as the melting of the North pole ice cap.

Nick hopes to recruit Lucy Cullins (Whoopi Goldberg) someone who was a true believe in the spirit of Christmas as a young girl. However her father died in the Vietnam war soon after she sat on Nick's lap.

Now the grown up Lucy is a cynical grinch working for a shopping channel. Nick applies to be the Santa salesman for the shopping channel in the run up to Christmas, so he can get near Lucy an persuade her to take on his job.

The plot about finding a replacement Santa is a well worn one in these days of mass produced Christmas movies. This is indistinguishable for those types of quickly made and low budget films apart from having a better calibre cast.

Despite being made for cable back in 2001, Call Me Claus is not that funny or appealing. It actually wastes the talents of an Oscar winner and Oscar nominee.

This was Nigel Hawthorne's last film role. At least he got to play a sweet natured part, a far cry from his mean and cynical Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister.

Am very glad about giving 'Call Me Claus' a chance. Expectations were mixed. Despite loving Christmas, many festive films and specials and liking Whoopi Goldberg and especially Nigel Hawthorne (the latter sadly in his last film) as actors, the advertising didn't look great and it did sound like pretty cheap and cheesy. There have been numerous instances where films don't look great from how it's advertised but manage to be good and victims of bad marketing (my exact experience with 'Lilo and Stitch' for example).

'Call Me Claus' is a long way from perfect, not one of the best Christmas films and it's not my definition of great. It was though a lot better than expected and an example of a film to not judge by its marketing, very like not judging a book by its cover. Goldberg is not at her best here, but the film does serve as a poignant reminder of how great an actor Hawthorne was and it is a not half bad last film for him. Although flawed, 'Call Me Claus' struck me as quite decent.

There are many good things here. The best thing about 'Call Me Claus' is Hawthorne, who is perfect in the title role. Playing it with a twinkling charm, gently humorous comic timing, a jovial air and poignancy. The supporting cast all do well if never on Hawthorne's level. The script has genuinely amusing and never crude or juvenile humour, truly moving pathos without going over the top on the sappiness and is also surprisingly relevant. The cynicism never gets mean-spirited. The characters didn't come over as dull, nor did they come over as annoying.

Story is very charming, warm-hearted and goes at a pace that doesn't feel routine or sluggish. The chemistry between the cast comes over as warm and natural. The music gives a nice festive cheer and at least fits.

Goldberg though left me a bit mixed. She has moments of sass but there are instances where she did seem to be mailing it in or holding back. 'Call Me Claus' does look as though it was made on a limited budget in a short period of time, with production values that could easily pass for a film made ten years or so prior.

Do think as well that the ending does require a number of attempts of swallowing, which is not easy to do for one that is rather unrealistic and too neat.

In conclusion, not bad at all and did find a lot to like about it. 6/10