Off Season (2001)

After the death of his parents, 10-year-old, Jackson Mayhew (Culkin), moves in with his Aunt. But when he befriends an elderly man (Cronyn), he begins to suspect that the old man is actually Santa Claus.

Director:

Bruce Davison

Writer:

Glenn Gers

Stars:

Sherilyn Fenn, Hume Cronyn, Bruce Davison

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Patty Winslow
Hume Cronyn	...	Sam Clausner
Bruce Davison	...	Dr. Zimmer
Tom McBeath	...	Mel Breskin
Stephen E. Miller	...	Milton Loomis
Adam Arkin	...	Richard Frangello
Rory Culkin	...	Jackson Mayhew
Karin Konoval	...	Mona Sanchez
Lisa Pelikan	...	Ashley Manson
Philip Granger	...	Mr. Murchison
Judy Norton	...	Mrs. Murchison
Michaela Slinger	...	Irma Murchison
Sage Testini	...	Zachary Murchison
Deryl Hayes	...	News Director
Amanda O'Leary	...	Customer

Storyline

Jackson Mayhew, a 10-year-old boy whose parents died in a tragic accident, moves to Florida to live with his aunt Patty, a bartender and aspiring singer who lives and works in a failing hotel. During his summer vacation at the hotel, Jackson meets Sam Clausner, an elderly man with white hair, a white beard and a curious last name. After Jackson spreads a rumor that Sam is Santa Claus, a curious Richard Frangello checks into the hotel.

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Plot Keywords:

aunt | 10 year old | old man | santa claus | character says i love you | 

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Taglines:

All You Have To Do Is Believe.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released in the UK as "Secret Santa".

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Quotes

Patty Winslow: What do you say?
Jackson Mayhew: He's lying!
Patty Winslow: I was thinking more along the lines of 'I'm sorry'!
Jackson Mayhew: [to Richard Frangello] "I'm sorry you're lying!"

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Soundtracks

Deck the Halls
(uncredited)
Traditional tune, lyrics by Thomas Oliphant

User Reviews

Joy Business

You're probably familiar with Rory Culkin's detached persona in Signs 2002. Replace Mel Gibson's helpless grimace with Sherilyn Fenn's impossibly perfect face and signing voice and you've got the setup for the juxtaposition of grief and holiday magic.

For a movie with a strong cast and an even stronger script, it's almost impossible to see on cable or rent. I've seen it once and can't get it out of my head. I connected with this and even identified with Jackson (Rory) because I lost a parent when I was 9. Off Season brought back the weirdness of my slo-mo wanderings through the minefield of good intentions. Hume Cronyn's last performance will be remembered as a holiday classic but I see it as children's fantasy noir.

The real magic happens when we shift from feeling powerless to help Jackson to believing that Sam Clausner (Cronyn) IS Santa. Don't get too comfortable because you'll never be completely sure. As a bonus Sam & Jackson deliver memorable adages like, "I'm in the Joy Business... now do you wanna join me?" It's a Christmas gift without the tinsel.

Details

Official Sites:

Hallmark Channel

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las vacaciones de Santa Claus

Filming Locations:

Lougheed Mall, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Phoenix Pictures, Palm Avenue Pictures, Hallmark Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color