Annuit Coeptis Entertainment Inc., Nomadic Pictures
Amy Acker, David Haydn-Jones, Emma Duke, Gina Holden, Margherita Donato, Brooklynn Proulx, Paulina ‘Miel’ Chmielecka
Crystal (Amy Acker) is a single woman, living on an allowance from her rich parents who seem to be on a permanent vacation. One December, a letter floats down and lands in her purse. Upon reading it, she found that it’s from a young girl, Olivia (Emma Duke) who wishes for a mother for herself and a new wife for her Daddy who’s suffering from living alone after a string of bad relationships. Derek (David Haydn-Jones) runs a homeless shelter, so Crystal shows up as a volunteer to see who wrote the letter. In the process, she falls in love with Olivia and they become best friends, but she’s also very attracted to her father. But Derek’s ex-girlfriend shows up with thoughts of winning him back, and he’s planning on asking her to marry him for Christmas.
This is a brand new for 2011 film on Lifetime. Over the past couple years, (Lifetime has turned all Christmassy every year with “Fa-la-la-la-Lifetime”, but not this year! This year, they are doing “It’s a Wonderful Life-Time” which is really cute.). This is one of the originals premiering this year, and I think this is really a winner. Like all other holiday tales, it’s derivative of other stories, but, it’s done in a fairly new way with a few twists in it. Amy is charming as a bit of a spoiled rich girl who learns the importance of standing for something that’s worthwhile. Little Emma Duke is really cute as the child who just wants her dad to be happy. There are a few side stories and other characters that add to the richness of the story. Since it’s new, it’s really worth watching this one as you certainly haven’t seen it before. It’s a good romantic and charming Christmas tale that serves up a good helping of good will toward men. Enjoy.
** Dear Santa (2011),
jerry ingerman said
December 18 2011 @ 10:17 pm
I loved this movie. The stereotypes and the unlikeliness of this even happening at all don’t matter to me. What’s important here is the idea of someone taking the initiative to change her and possibly another family’s life for the better. In her final effort it took great courage and sacrifice when Crystal staked what was possibly her last $10,000 to save the soup kitchen, even after her ‘cover’ was blown (when the letter was shown to Derrick).
In the real world I believe everything happens for a reason and is by design (you can call it ‘fate’). In my own life ‘fate’ steered me to a woman I otherwise would never have met in a million years, as she lived 15,000 miles from me. Similarly, Crystal and Derrick never would have met if it wasn’t for ‘fate’ and her taking the initiative.
I cried at the end. Because I was happy that a woman’s fantasy became a reality. Whatever power ‘Santa’ has is supplied by those who believe in him. Amy Acker was perfect in the role of Crystal.
Vannesa Colt said
November 30 2013 @ 5:34 pm
The child, Emma duke is amazing!! She is so into the movie and you really feel bad for her.