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Dear Santa

TV-PG 2011 1h 30m Holiday Drama TRAILER for List
Tomatometer 0 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Crystal, a rich party girl, finds a little girl's letter to Santa asking for a new mother, and she vows to win over the father and daughter before the holidays.
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Dear Santa

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Audience Member So Dear Santa has some aspects that are above average (for a made for television movie - let's not get crazy!): the little girl is actually sweet and a decent actress, the leads have more chemistry than most of these films, and there is a nice touch of Christmas magic.... BUT I'm really bothered by the fact that the story pits two women against each other over a man "prize" (when he isn't particularly romantic or sweet to either of them). Crystal is pushed by her parents to find her passion and purpose, but all she finds is a guy. That is not a purpose. I hate that this is "wholesome family entertainment" when these are the myths taught to young women and men. Plus there's all the stereotypical characters and why even act like it's set in New York. Plus the inconsistent snow is kind of hilarious - Derrek has a plowing job but is driving around and there's no snow on the ground... interesting. Maybe would have been three stars if I'd turned my brain off better. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review corkball My wife watches these kinds of movies at Christmas time. Usually they are harmless, and this one has a bit of charm in the finding love for Christmas department. But this is a bit much - 1) the protagonist is in full court press mode to land Mr. Plow - at the expense of his existing girlfriend that he is getting ready to propose to. Out come the cat claws - meow - and it is not clear who is supposed to be the good guy here. A little creepy. The only way you know who to root for is to watch and see who the innocent little girl roots for. 2) Mr. Plow treats her with all the romance of a coat rack ("bread!") up until the obligatory kiss. 3) There was something about careers and money and college which I THINK was supposed to be relevant to the plot - but weren't. But he plow snow. Get it? PLOWS snow? There was even a joke to this effect in there. Gay best friend was funny, and loved the all pink chef's outfit! Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review don s There is a similarity amongst all the Christmas romantic comedies / dramas I've seen. As such, one just doesn't stand out over another. This one fits the mold. Crystal, on an unlimited budget from her wealthy parents, is about to be cut off due to her excessive spending. She is given until Christmas to "change" her life by getting a job or finding another means of support. While window shopping, a letter to Santa blows into view. The writer is asking for a someone who can be a wife to her widowed father and a mother to her... Amy Acker is very charismatic in the lead role. I liked it enough I'd probably watch it again. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member THis is more of a romance then a romantic comedy. still loved it and Amy Acker did a great job. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is about a sociopath who forces her way into a family because she's bored, stupid, rich, and privileged. She's like the girl from "Legally Blonde" with absolutely no charm. She teaches the daughter Olivia how to emotionally manipulate her father, who is still grieving his dead wife, and she also teaches Olivia that it's okay to hate someone for no reason (the father's girlfriend Gillian before Crystal sabotages their relationship). The movie treats Gillian like an unreasonable, villainous person but she's really the sane, reasonable hero who loses to a spoiled little rich girl with no boundaries in the end. The walking gay stereotype is cringe-worthy and has no life outside of helping Crystal. It's a true testament to shallow Christmas commercialism; the perfect movie for people who have way too much money, find thinking hard, and like to pretend that they make a difference in the world. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member The Lifetime movie Dear Santa is a sweet and charming holiday treat. The story follows a big city socialite named Crystal Carruthers who's about to be cut off by her parents, but fate intervenes when she comes upon a letter to Santa Claus by a little girl asking for a new mom for her and her dad. Amy Acker delivers an incredibly strong performance and has great chemistry with child actress Emma Duke; who has a natural charisma. However, most of the other actors are pretty weak, as is the writing; which is full of clichés and one-dimensional character stereotypes. And the TV movie quality really comes through in the cheap looking sets and costumes. Yet there's a sincerity and charm to the story that makes a lot of the acting and production issues forgivable. Dear Santa is formulaic and predictable, but there's still a bit of Christmas magic that shines through. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Dear Santa

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Crystal, a rich party girl, finds a little girl's letter to Santa asking for a new mother, and she vows to win over the father and daughter before the holidays.
Director
Jason Priestley
Producer
Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes
Screenwriter
Barbara Kymlicka
Production Co
Nomadic Pictures, Annuit Coeptis Entertainment Inc., Johnson Production Group
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Holiday, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 21, 2012
Runtime
1h 30m
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