A Mom for Christmas (1990)

In a sea of family Christmas films I seem to be on a mission to watch them all each and every Christmas. Usually while doing Christmas baking I will try out a new one so I gave this a go on a total fluke. It didn't blow me away in the least. The production value seems like next to nothing and the performances are hokey but you know what...it has everything you want from a strictly family oriented Christmas film. There is a ton of magic, romance, fantasy and its just simple fun. The biggest problem with this film is that there is absolutely nothing that stands out about it. We've even seen the "mannequin" come to life story before more than once! The cast is stiff (no pun intended) and the story is rushed. But I also doubt that it was made for my demographic. I would guess that little girls and their Mom's could curl up on the couch and truly enjoy this little film. However, outside of that demographic there just simply isn't a lot to cheer for here.Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10

Juliet Sorcey was just 10 when this was made, and she was fantastic! She played her part perfectly. You could really see a little girl who just wanted to have a mother to get her through the holidays.One would never believe that Olivia Newton-John (Grease) is two years older than I am. At 42, she was the picture of perfection in this film and you really could believe that she was 28. How in the world does she do it? This was a neat fantasy about making Christmas for a little girl and it really came to life.With two songs sung by Olivia Newton-John, it was a real pleasure. I'll be watching it again and again.

This is a wonderful film for all the family. Its about an 11 year old girl called Jessica that spends a lot of time walking around a large department store watching other girls shopping with their Mums, Jessicas Mum died when Jessica was only 3 years old. Jessica gets a free gift from the stores wishing well & she wishes for a Mom for the holidays. Olivia plays a manikin in the store & comes to life at midnight to be Jessicas Mum till midnight Christmas Eve. My 4 children and I watch it every year and we love it. I first saw it in 1995 and I recorded it off the television. I would love to own this film on Video or DVD. Olivia plays an excellent leading role in this film. The film is packed with Christmas magic as well as being a love story. I have another Christmas film with Olivia playing the starring role, A Holiday Romance, which is another Christmas love story which we all enjoy.

Here is another great movie that unfortunately is not available on video. A truly touching story of a manikin that comes to life and restores the relationship between a man and his daughter and shows that you can't build your future, while living in the past.