Finding Santa

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

SO PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Not exactly a typical Hallmark Christmas Movie. This film has more substance then most of the Hallmark Christmas Films.

In this film is the annual Christmas Parade and Grace is in charge and has to find a new Santa for the parade. Its the 50th anniversary and the towns parade is going to be covered by a live television broadcast. The usual Santa Claus can not do it this year because he just broke his arm.

Grace finds out that one man named Ben would be a great Santa but there is major problems. Ben is the son of the towns Santa but he wants nothing to do with the family business. Grace is trying very hard to get him to play Santa. When she finally meets Ben, Grace learns the hard way that she may not be making her own choices about her own life.

Not exactly a family film but it is a family safe film!

7.2 stars.

There are a lot of things in 'Finding Santa' that stand out as a bit different, but just that. They are ever so slightly different. The lead actor is not in so many Hallmark films, so he's a nice change. Sweetin does fine, but she's the same in everything. I wish she could change her personality for different parts, but alas most of these child actors seem to have the same problems. They grew up being the same in a TV show that lasted for decades, it's difficult for them to change any quirks, expressions, body language, etc. Take all of her movies and she is literally the same person.

This is a standard Christmas romance across the board. But I have to comment on it only so I can make a note for myself that it's an average film, not to be viewed again for at least another 5 years.

But that's the usual expectation for a Hallmark movie. I decided to watch because of Jodie Sweetin and I like seeing Eric Winter as a romantic lead. He has a charm about him. A bit slow and plot was a bit forced but I can look past it given it's expected.

This is a cute film. It is borderline silly and unbelievable in places, but the romance is sweet enough to let that pass. It also helps that Eric Winter is very easy on the eye.

It's full of seasonal cheer and one day I will go to one of these fantastically festive little towns in America! I have got to experience these traditions and all the fun they have.

If I'm honest, I'm running out of things to say about made for TV Christmas films. They all follow a pattern and it's generally sweet. This is a prime example of that.

This Hallmark holiday romance features Jodie Sweetin ("Full House") as Grace, the person in charge of a small town's Christmas celebration, including the parade. Everything is on schedule until the town's Santa breaks his arm. Grace auditions many possible replacement Santas, but she deems them "unsuitable." There seems to be only one solid choice to don the whiskers this ho-ho-holiday, but he may be unwilling. What will she do?

Sweetin is adorable in this role. She is cast opposite Eric Winter, who plays Ben-the son of the sidelined Santa. If you are familiar with Winter's character on "The Rookie", this role shows an entirely different personality. The two of them work well together.

Though much of the story is formulaic---including the subplot about finding one's passion--- it is nevertheless a heart-warming seasonal offering.