Help for the Holidays (2012)

Sara Vancamp ('Eva LaRue') is a busy mom with no Christmas spirit. Christine (Summer Glau), an elf from Santa's village who wonders if there could be more to life than making toys in the ... See full summary »

Director:

Bradford May

Writers:

Abbey Cleland Lopez (story by) (as Abbey Cleland), Abbey Cleland Lopez (teleplay by) (as Abbey Cleland)

Stars:

Summer Glau, Eva LaRue, John Brotherton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Summer Glau	...	Christine
Eva LaRue	...	Sara VanCamp (as Eva La Rue)
John Brotherton	...	Dave Gabriel
Dan Gauthier	...	Scott VanCamp
Izabela Vidovic	...	Ally VanCamp
Mason Cook	...	Will VanCamp
Steve Larkin	...	Santa
Jessie Lande	...	Gabby
Valorie Hubbard	...	Hannah
Jerome V. Green	...	Hot Dog Man
Ben Adams	...	Doorman
Tom DeTrinis	...	Village Elf
Michael Dempsey	...	Village Santa
Jesse Bean	...	Photographer
Loren Lester	...	Daniel

Storyline

Sara Vancamp ('Eva LaRue') is a busy mom with no Christmas spirit. Christine (Summer Glau), an elf from Santa's village who wonders if there could be more to life than making toys in the North Pole, comes to the real world to help the VanCamp family, mom Sara (La Rue), dad Scott (Gauthier), and their two kids, re-discover Christmas spirit.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas spirit | christmas | elf | north pole | talking to an inanimate object | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Help for the Holidays

Filming Locations:

Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

PixL Entertainment, Mediapool Production, Ashton Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Help for the Holidays is a 2012 romantic fantasy film starring Summer Glau (Serenity. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) as a naive female elf whom is sent to Earth in human form by Santa Claus which she is hired to babysit the two children of a overworking businesswoman whom has lost the Christmas spirit as she sets out to help their mother regain the spirit of Christmas and she falls in love with the two children's uncle.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, Dave and Ally find out, how Christine's magic book works and use it to find out, where she is. However, just about a minute after that, they realize that Will has disappeared and start searching for him instead of using the book to find out where he is (as they just did before to find Christine).

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Quotes

Sara VanCamp: So she says you called her fat?
Christine: ...No. She called herself fat, I just agreed with her.
[Scott laughs]
Sara VanCamp: [laughing] Scott, that's not funny.
Scott VanCamp: Yes it is.

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Soundtracks

Ding Dong Merrily on High
(uncredited)
Music by Thoinot Arbeau and lyrics by George Ratcliffe Woodward

User Reviews

Elf for Hire

I'll admit I'm normally not a person that watches anything from "Hallmark" mainly because there simply not my movies, however this film is probably the only exception I'll make for them.

It's not exactly one of my favorite Christmas films nor a classic in my book, but all the same I like it because it has a fun charm to it as well as surprisingly made me care and feel good, but of course has an actress I really like is in it which makes it even better.

I like the story, it's a typical fish out of water story but it's one of those ones done right; it's almost a bit similar to the story in the claymation special "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" since that was about a Christmas character coming into contemporary reality and giving cheer where needed.

I really love the character Christine whom of course is played by Summer Glau. I'll admit what drawn me to the film is her since I've seen and a fan of "Firefly" and "Serenity", she is just fraking hot and a capable/underrated actress to boot. I really love her performance in this film, I bought she was an elf. Her character has charisma, has just this infectious charm that could just win anyone even by just a mere smile which on a side note is a great one, she's selfless, energetic and cheerful.

Two of the things I really like are how disoriented she is with real world customs, which makes sense since she is an Elf from the North Pole; and it funny how she tries to fit in which of course doesn't entirely work, from the way she behaves and certain things she does the supporting characters know she's a little strange. But just simply the humanity of her character which makes her three dimensional, the fact that she wants more in her life, which is a normal human trait with anyone. And of course she experiences both the ups and even the downs, when things are really down for her, you can't help but feel for her but that all the more makes us want her to win.

Supporting characters are solid, Eva La Rue also hot and yeah watched a little of "CSI Miami" her character Sara VanCamp is a mom whom is unfortunately all business, she is plenty successful in her career but shamefully doesn't equal toward her family life. She not a bad person the problem is her head is in the wrong place. She does care about her family but she doesn't spend enough time with them even when she should. And of course that mistake soon catches up with her. Her character also has humanity once this begins, she starts to let Christine in a little realizing she isn't happy and needs some help.

Another supporting is Dave Gariel (John Brotherton), I like that he doesn't look like a typical pretty boy, but handsome all the same. He's got a sort of rough charm to him, has some charisma, like that he's likes Chrismas just as much as Christine which is one thing they have in common. I do like the chemistry between both of them, it's not the greatest romance I've ever seen but I take it over any crap fest romance comedy/soap anytime. But both have a solid back and forth, I bought the developing relationship between the two sparks were flying, but I love the fact that he accepts her for what she is, sure Christine seems a bit strange but in a good way let alone she's not boring.

The film of course does have good messages about the importance of putting family first and also how everyone does deserve happiness.

Overall it's a solid simple Christmas film that's worth a watch.

Rating: 3 stars