When I first read the overview of this movie I thought that it sounded familiar. I checked my Christmas movies and it turned out that Remember the Night from 1940 written by Preston Sturges was the film. Here is IMDb's overview of that film which starred Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray "Just before Christmas, Lee Leander is caught shoplifting. It is her third offense. She is prosecuted by John Sargent. He postpones the trial because it is hard to get a conviction at Christmas time. But he feels sorry for her and arranges for her bail, and ends up taking her home to his mother for Christmas" And once again they fall in love... If you enjoyed "On the 2nd Day of Christmas" then you might enjoy this older B&W film with a similar theme.
18 Reviews
Nice film for romance lovers; fans, go find it!
inkblot119 October 2018
Bert (Mark Ruffalo) comes from a family of police officers and had aspirations for the profession himself. Unfortunately, his eyes are not perfect enough for the job. Therefore, he has settled into a security guard's position in a major department store. Meanwhile, Trish (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her niece Patsy run street cons where they pickpocket and trick folks out of their wallets. The duo comes to Bert's store where they endeavor to take a gentleman's wallet. But, Bert spies the action. Despite Trish saying that she was merely trying to find the owner of the wallet, the store owner orders her and her niece to the authorities. Yet, its Christmas Eve, as Bert points out. The image of the store will suffer to have a CHILD arrested on the holiday. Therefore, the owner commands Bert to take the two back to his, Bert's, apartment and keep an eye on the them until the day AFTER Christmas. Ho ho ho, this should be fun. Trish and Patsy try to run away at least a couple of times, but Bert matches wits with them. Since the two adults are single and good-looking, can a thief and a guard fall for each other? You bet! This sweet, somewhat derivative film has two attractive, talented lead actors who carry the film along nicely. All other actors, including Howard Hesseman, are fine while the film has good sets, costumes, and plot concepts. Are you the type who loves holiday romances? This one will work its warm and fuzzy charm on you.
attitudes
IKhan25198025 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I hate the attitude of the woman in the beginning of the movie. She calls the guy a jerk for sleeping on his bed by himself and making her and the kid sleep on the sofa bed- when she is the criminal here, not him, so she should deal with the consequences of her lifestyle. She also says something like "gotta make a living"- but she is a pick pocket, that is not making a living. She's just too lazy to get a real job, she wants the easy way out. Plus she trains the kid to steal as well. No sympathy for criminals- she should have been in jail. Oh and then to top it all off the idiot guy who's watching her apologizes for the things he said. He never should have, nor did he need to, apologize. Apologising just makes all her stealing OK.
Watch it solely for Mark Ruffalo before he became a household name.
lisafordeay11 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Saw this film many years ago on True Christmas and forgot to review it.
Starring Mary Stuart Matheson(Chances Are) and Mark Ruffalo (13 going on 30),the story follows a con-woman named Trish (Matheson)and her niece Patsy who are caught trying to steal from a department store right before the Christmas season. With the holidays approaching we see Bert(Ruffalo), a store employee, who agrees to be responsible for the pair so that Patsy can avoid going social services. However romance blossoms between the two.
Again the reason I watched this film was for Mark Ruffalo who started off in criminally underrated films,and no one knew about him until he joined the MCU in 2012 as Hulk/Bruce Banner. For me I started watching Mark Ruffalo since 2004 where he played Jennifer Garner's love interest/best friend in 13 Going On 30.
Good film.
Starring Mary Stuart Matheson(Chances Are) and Mark Ruffalo (13 going on 30),the story follows a con-woman named Trish (Matheson)and her niece Patsy who are caught trying to steal from a department store right before the Christmas season. With the holidays approaching we see Bert(Ruffalo), a store employee, who agrees to be responsible for the pair so that Patsy can avoid going social services. However romance blossoms between the two.
Again the reason I watched this film was for Mark Ruffalo who started off in criminally underrated films,and no one knew about him until he joined the MCU in 2012 as Hulk/Bruce Banner. For me I started watching Mark Ruffalo since 2004 where he played Jennifer Garner's love interest/best friend in 13 Going On 30.
Good film.
Hated it
LtlHippo20 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Just hated this movie, I'm not sure why I watched til the end, probably because my 12 year old wanted to. I thought the little girls acting was just horrible. Like when crying about a Christmas tree and then the cop wannabe STEALS one! The guy treats the pair (lady and daughter) like stealing wallets is no big deal. I didn't see any chemistry between Mark and Mary. What store manager is going to let some security guard take them home to babysit them? Just so crazy and we really like watching Christmas movies. Surviving Christmas was a good one. As for the movie again, he quits his job, doesn't have another but wants to make it as a singer, just a totally stupid movie.
Gives Christmas movies a bad name
KatMiss5 December 2003
"On the 2nd Day of Christmas" is absolute torture. It is the cinematic equivalent of coal in your stocking. Here is a movie so unpleasant and manipulative that you will have to take a cold shower just to remove the swarminess.
I have never disliked a Christmas movie so much. It tries to shamelessly manipulate our feelings. This is the kind of movie that Roger Ebert would describe as "taking tears by liposuction". That's how desperate these filmmakers are to move us. Well, it moved me. Off the couch at the halfway point. I usually sit through an entire movie, no matter how bad. But an hour and 10 minutes of this tripe was more than I could bear.
With a more organized and thoughtful screenplay, this could have been a good movie. But this script has several fatal flaws. First, there are no sympathetic or likable characters. When by the twenty minute mark, you want to throw your female lead out the window, you know you're in trouble. Second, the film is overly predictable. We know what's going to happen and sure enough, I successfully predicted everything that happened after the opening ten minutes. Third, the performances feel by the numbers. There's no life or flavor, just routine unpleasantness.
Do yourself a favor. Instead of wasting two hours of your life, read a book, do a jigsaw puzzle, go out for a walk. Just don't watch this movie.
zero stars (out of four)
I have never disliked a Christmas movie so much. It tries to shamelessly manipulate our feelings. This is the kind of movie that Roger Ebert would describe as "taking tears by liposuction". That's how desperate these filmmakers are to move us. Well, it moved me. Off the couch at the halfway point. I usually sit through an entire movie, no matter how bad. But an hour and 10 minutes of this tripe was more than I could bear.
With a more organized and thoughtful screenplay, this could have been a good movie. But this script has several fatal flaws. First, there are no sympathetic or likable characters. When by the twenty minute mark, you want to throw your female lead out the window, you know you're in trouble. Second, the film is overly predictable. We know what's going to happen and sure enough, I successfully predicted everything that happened after the opening ten minutes. Third, the performances feel by the numbers. There's no life or flavor, just routine unpleasantness.
Do yourself a favor. Instead of wasting two hours of your life, read a book, do a jigsaw puzzle, go out for a walk. Just don't watch this movie.
zero stars (out of four)
Dickens Meets Santa Claus on the Lifetime Channel!
lavatch18 December 2005
"On the 2nd Day of Christmas" starts like the Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist": a pickpocket has enlisted a small child in the profession of stealing! As appalling as this scenario sounds, the film then progressed to a rather charming and romantic Christmas story.
The film's modest success is due primarily to the chemistry between the lead performers Mark Ruffalo and Mary Stuart Masterson. Ruffalo's character Bert, who works security in a department store, is given the assignment of guarding the pickpocket Patsy (Masterson) over the Christmas holidays until she may be turned over to the police. Of course, the romantic sparks begin to fly between Bert and Patsy!
To support the principal relationship of Bert and Patsy, there could have been better character developments in the large family of Bert. Arlene Meadows turned in good work as the mother, but the other family members seemed one-dimensional. When Bert and Patsy visit his family members on Christmas, we learn that the entire clan consists of police officers! During the Christmas meal, the banter could have been more lively and the characters more colorful.
Still, there were some touching and tender moments in this film due to the two likable leads. Only one question sticks in my craw: Was it really necessary to make Patsy's character a modern-day Dickensian pickpocket? If Bert had been the department store's security guard and Patsy had been employed as a salesperson, this story would have played out just as effectively as a heartwarming holiday film.
The film's modest success is due primarily to the chemistry between the lead performers Mark Ruffalo and Mary Stuart Masterson. Ruffalo's character Bert, who works security in a department store, is given the assignment of guarding the pickpocket Patsy (Masterson) over the Christmas holidays until she may be turned over to the police. Of course, the romantic sparks begin to fly between Bert and Patsy!
To support the principal relationship of Bert and Patsy, there could have been better character developments in the large family of Bert. Arlene Meadows turned in good work as the mother, but the other family members seemed one-dimensional. When Bert and Patsy visit his family members on Christmas, we learn that the entire clan consists of police officers! During the Christmas meal, the banter could have been more lively and the characters more colorful.
Still, there were some touching and tender moments in this film due to the two likable leads. Only one question sticks in my craw: Was it really necessary to make Patsy's character a modern-day Dickensian pickpocket? If Bert had been the department store's security guard and Patsy had been employed as a salesperson, this story would have played out just as effectively as a heartwarming holiday film.
The Ten Blunders of Christmas
Pro Jury29 December 2003
This is one of the most illogical TV movies ever made -- and that is saying a lot.
(1) Some of the actors play their parts straight, and some play their parts like baffoonish clowns. (2) Pick-pocketing is ethical. (3) Our hero sees a bike stolen and sold for cash. The bike is gone, but he catches the thief with cash in hand, but he does not attempt to claim the money. (4) Closet light bulbs remain switched-on 24 hours a day. (5) City people leave their apartment without locking their apartment door which has many deadbolt locks begging to be used. (6) An income is needed to live in an apartment, but it is assumed that no income is needed to buy and run a house. (7) Decorations are purchased for a Christmas tree that does not exist. Later, at the drop of a hat, a police officer-wanna be steals a Christmas tree. No one in the world would know this would ever happen except for the writer of the movie. (8) Throughout the period the lead female characters desire to escape, they do not do so. For example, at one point the police guard wanna-be guy has both of his hands handcuffed to a handrail inside a bus. He is locked up and has no key, but no one escapes from him. (9) A violent child snatcher is released only because the movie needs him to snatch the child a second time later in the movie. (10) A silly man wearing a cast and a thick Santa's suit spends most of the movie outrunning assorted adults only two or three feet behind him.
The only good part of "On the 2nd Day of Christmas" is the vigilant perfume sales lady on duty in the department store.
(1) Some of the actors play their parts straight, and some play their parts like baffoonish clowns. (2) Pick-pocketing is ethical. (3) Our hero sees a bike stolen and sold for cash. The bike is gone, but he catches the thief with cash in hand, but he does not attempt to claim the money. (4) Closet light bulbs remain switched-on 24 hours a day. (5) City people leave their apartment without locking their apartment door which has many deadbolt locks begging to be used. (6) An income is needed to live in an apartment, but it is assumed that no income is needed to buy and run a house. (7) Decorations are purchased for a Christmas tree that does not exist. Later, at the drop of a hat, a police officer-wanna be steals a Christmas tree. No one in the world would know this would ever happen except for the writer of the movie. (8) Throughout the period the lead female characters desire to escape, they do not do so. For example, at one point the police guard wanna-be guy has both of his hands handcuffed to a handrail inside a bus. He is locked up and has no key, but no one escapes from him. (9) A violent child snatcher is released only because the movie needs him to snatch the child a second time later in the movie. (10) A silly man wearing a cast and a thick Santa's suit spends most of the movie outrunning assorted adults only two or three feet behind him.
The only good part of "On the 2nd Day of Christmas" is the vigilant perfume sales lady on duty in the department store.
Heartfelt Movie
DWifey691730 November 2005
I thought that the movie was cute and heartfelt. I thought of it more than a romance. Of course, the movie was as predictable as can be. You felt bad for the little girl. The ending to the movie was pretty funny. The way that the security guard kept having all kinds of things happen to him while he was in charge of watching the woman and the little girl. I wish that they would make more movies like this. They need to come out with more holiday movies like this. Mary Stuart Masterson was excellent in the movie. Mark Ruffalo was sort of a Scrooge type in the movie, but played it very well. I wish they would bring the movie out on DVD. Two Thumbs Up!
'On the 2nd Day of Christmas' doesn't perk up the courage of tenderness
kill-the-boxtrolls28 November 2010
This movie starts off as a spoof reference of 'Oliver Twist', it features a professional theft who releases a kid to steal things. Then, Bert comes in, right before Christmas, who agrees to spend time with the little girl to prevent her from the social services.
Now when I had my first experience with 'On the 2nd Day of Christmas', I wasn't astounded but impressed. It featured a lot of good moments, tenderness, happiness, and sometimes mischief but touching scenes. I remember this from 2002 when I was only a kid about nine.
I had to watch it again this year, and thought it was too harsh for kids to watch. There is too much stealing, whining, and attempts to run away and that's not fair. I know this is a family movie but please.
O.K. enough with the comments, but this movie was actually O.K. Nothing special, but I still like the old Santa Clause movie better.
6/10
Now when I had my first experience with 'On the 2nd Day of Christmas', I wasn't astounded but impressed. It featured a lot of good moments, tenderness, happiness, and sometimes mischief but touching scenes. I remember this from 2002 when I was only a kid about nine.
I had to watch it again this year, and thought it was too harsh for kids to watch. There is too much stealing, whining, and attempts to run away and that's not fair. I know this is a family movie but please.
O.K. enough with the comments, but this movie was actually O.K. Nothing special, but I still like the old Santa Clause movie better.
6/10
Have yourself a selfish little Christmas
Imacritic13 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Would not recommend letting children watch a movie that, despite it's unbelievable Harlequin plot line, still could implicitly condone maladaptive behavior. Note the lead character has not only actively stolen from others over a long period of time (how many other children's' Christmases were ruined by this character's thievery?), but used an orphan to assist her. The rewards? A lovely apartment, gorgeous clothes, a cozy family Christmas and a blossoming romance. I didn't see any consequences that would lead one to think that this character was apt to change or make any retribution to her victims. All I saw was a selfish user portrayed as a "cool" smooth talking role model. She is so self-righteous that she will not relent to forgiving her male accomplice for crimes identical to hers! Besides stealing, gender prejudice, coercion of minors and a gross manipulation of justice, I can't see how this Christmas story could inspire any better moral qualities. Sorry, not my idea of a heart warming story.
Cute holiday film
lbj155 October 2004
"The Second Day of Christmas" is a standard but enjoyable holiday film. It is cast well. Mary Stuart Masterson portrays the pickpocket aunt. She's great yet again. (She's an under-appreciated actress in my opinion.) Mark Ruffalo showed off his acting and musical talents.
Howard Hessman has a pointless role. I can't believe he took it either. Come on! He was Dr. Johnny Fever. Now he is David / Santa's Helper.
I would recommend this film but don't expect any great social or spiritual commentary.
Howard Hessman has a pointless role. I can't believe he took it either. Come on! He was Dr. Johnny Fever. Now he is David / Santa's Helper.
I would recommend this film but don't expect any great social or spiritual commentary.
When is stealing okay?
shmat17 December 2012
I had a hard time liking this movie. I thought the leads had good chemistry but I never trusted Trish. Even at the end of the movie I thought she would bolt now that she wasn't in trouble anymore. I was really annoyed by the scene where the little girl's annoying and constant whining convinces him to steal a tree, who does that? It almost seemed to send a message that stealing is okay. I feel like the movie didn't do enough to convince me that Trish had changed her ways. The little girl was selfish and annoying the whole time too. Also, who falls in love in two days? Cheesy! So they end up together unemployed never making their stealing wrongs right, she should have been punished for it; and people call it a cute holiday flick?
A Truly Enjoyable Christmas Movie
jennie040925 December 2002
This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite movies. Ever since it came out in 1997, "On the 2nd Day of Christmas" has aired on television every year, and I have yet to miss it. It's such a great movie. Mary Stuart Masterson and Mark Ruffalo have such a great chemistry on-screen. It's a cute storyline and a truly enjoyable film. This one's a definite must-see!
A Modern Version of "Remember the Night"
Christmas-Reviewer1 August 2017
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
Here is my first "Discovery" of a good Christmas film for 2017. The film is called"On The 2nd Day of Christmas". In this film Trish (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her six-year-old niece, Patsy, make their living by picking pockets. But when they try to take advantage of holiday shoppers with fat wallets, they run into a little snag—a department store security guard named Bert (Mark Ruffalo) catches them in the act. The store owner wants them arrested, but decides to wait until Christmas is over. To ensure they don't make a run for it, he entrusts their care to Bert. With jail on the horizon, Trish and Patsy are scared for their future. But as the holiday nears its end, it looks as though a budding romance might just save them after all.
The film is about 2nd chances and most of all forgiveness. Nice film! However this film is a rip-off of "Remember the Night".
Here is my first "Discovery" of a good Christmas film for 2017. The film is called"On The 2nd Day of Christmas". In this film Trish (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her six-year-old niece, Patsy, make their living by picking pockets. But when they try to take advantage of holiday shoppers with fat wallets, they run into a little snag—a department store security guard named Bert (Mark Ruffalo) catches them in the act. The store owner wants them arrested, but decides to wait until Christmas is over. To ensure they don't make a run for it, he entrusts their care to Bert. With jail on the horizon, Trish and Patsy are scared for their future. But as the holiday nears its end, it looks as though a budding romance might just save them after all.
The film is about 2nd chances and most of all forgiveness. Nice film! However this film is a rip-off of "Remember the Night".
This movie is one of the great Christmas movies of all time!
karamareegoss1 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Christmas time is the best time of the year because it is the best time of year to pull out great Christmas movies like "On the 2nd Day of Christmas." I absolutely love this movie and look forward to it every year on television around Christmas time. It is a sweet adorable Christmas film that i fell in love with, the first time i saw it! It's boy meets girl plus girl's daughter, boy arrests girl, and you can find out the rest for yourself. I recommend it to anyone who loves a romantic comedy and a Christmas movie as it is both these wrapped into one. If i ever see it in a store, i would most definitely buy it. If you don't believe that it would be an excellent movie to watch, the only way to find out is to watch it yourself.
Best movie
rhiannonmendoza2 December 2019
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