STEALING CHRISTMAS

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: mild language

Rated:

When our local video store got this in a couple of years ago at Christmastime, we decided to rent it since it would be a new film for us. It has now been added to our small collection of holiday tales and has come to be one of my family’s favorites during this season.

He’s a con man, thief…and Santa Clause!? That just about describes Jack Clayton A.K.A. Oscar Burton (Tony Danza), who, after his latest heist has ended in disaster, ends up in a Santa suit and is mistaken as the jolly old man himself. Fleeing to the bus station, Oscar ends up in the festive small town of Evergreen where he’s met by Noelle Gibson (Angela Goethals). When he discovers Noelle and her mother Sarah have mistaken him for the Santa hired to appear at their Christmas tree farm, he tries to get out of it. But before he can make his getaway, Oscar encounters Sarah (Lea Thompson) and decides that maybe playing Santa won’t be that bad, especially working for someone as spirited and pretty as she is.

Once Oscar settles into his “Santa” routine, he begins to learn more things about Sarah and her daughter; some things are positive while others are cause for concern, especially when Noelle gets in with the wrong crowd. As the town embraces Oscar, he begins to feel a certain amount of respect for them and finds himself second guessing his latest heist…especially when it could harm the people he loves. This Christmas flick is one of those “redemption” films that we’ve also found in the form of such movies as Raising Helen, No Reservations and Christmas film A Season for Miracles.  There have been so many of these stories made in which a newcomer comes to a small town and all the townspeople rally around that person, but this one is one of the better tales. Evergreen is the kind of place where “everyone knows everyone” and their business. The characters are what I find interesting; they aren’t developed like they might be in a novel, but their easy banter between one another is such fun to see unfold.

The character of Emily Sutton played by Betty White is a bright spot in the movie. She has such a sweet trusting nature and I found myself waiting for her and Oscar’s next conversation. The last scene between them in which she does something for him was particularly well done and you can see that Oscar’s tough demeanor has just cracked some more. Such characters as Officer Tim Hogan and diner waitress Jo are also a big plus in this script and their ongoing flirting is cute. The acting is really good in this. Tony Danza is great as a cocky thief who is constantly thinking up his next heist. While Thompson and Angela also do a nice job of playing a mother and daughter, who don’t see “eye to eye” on tough matters, such as friends and curfew, typical “teenage problems." The few scenes that show us Sarah and Oscar’s relationship developing into something a bit more are very well done and I found all four charming.

Now, another plotline that is predictable is the fact that a very valuable gift is given to Oscar and that is the love of a town as well as priceless lessons. However, the first time we watched it we were surprised at the overall conclusion to this tale. It was something though that we appreciated and found quite surprising, for the better. While it does give you a small implication that there’ll be a happily-ever-after sort of ending, it’s not the same kind that we generally think of, but it does bring some satisfaction in the sense that the bad choices Oscar made weren’t overlooked. This is a fairly good choice to watch as a family as it is pretty free of much in the way of offensive content, but there are a few things that may need to be discussed as a family. In the opening scene, Jack and his shady partner Harry are shown breaking into a building were they stay until the cash comes in. Other conversations revolve around thefts; when Harry comes into the movie later, they begin planning the next robbery and when Jack starts to back out, Harry begins to issue threats to Jack in regard to his new friends. On occasion guns are pulled out, once it does go off. The only language I can remember comes a few times with he**. A group of young kids are shown in a mall parking lot messing around with the vehicles and it’s discussed that Noelle is with some “friends” who steal some things.

With the small town feel and great characters, this Christmas film in something not to be missed. Noelle’s innocent attempts at matchmaking are also sweet and the adorable scene between her and Sarah after an evening out with Oscar leaves a smile on your face. Angela’s character was really well written and acted; she does such a nice job of making us see her as a normal teenager who is going through the growing up stage and at this point has such fragile emotions that we don’t doubt her as a genuine person in this story. If you are looking for something new this holiday season, pickup Stealing Christmas, it has its heartfelt moments, a valuable lesson by the end and some comic relief all in one charming gem for the Christmas season.