With Jim Sabatini

All I Want For Christmas

Rated: G
Reviewed by: Frank and Chris
Release date: November 8, 1991

Hallie O'Fallon (Thora Birch, Paradise) believes the real Santa Claus, the one at Macy's, can grant her Christmas wish -- the reunion of her estranged parents (Jane Kozak and Jamey Sheridan). Her parents split up when her father decided to open a fifties diner and give up his yuppie life style Hallie's faith in Santa (Leslie Nielsen) is aided by an imaginative plan developed by her brother (Ethan Randall, Dutch) to force their parents to be together and alone on Christmas Eve.

Reminiscent of Miracle on 34th Street, it's Macy's Santa that Hallie has faith in. She visits him twice, the second time to make clear that she wants her parents to marry each other again, because shortly after her first visit her mother announces she will marry Tony, (Kevin Nealon) a boar of a yuppie who, of course, can't stand kids. Tony has his hands full on Christmas Eve when the kids' plan includes leaving him locked in an ice cream truck.

Thora Birch is a delightfully effective young actress. She con't help but win over the audience. The twisting of events by the two kids will delight children and the demonstration of Santa's power will bring emotion and tears to adults. To top it off, Lauren Bacall plays the no-nonsense grandmother of the children.

All I Want for Christmas is a good way to start the holiday season.