Santa Baby

Yup. I rented it. And here are my thoughts.

I'm not sure what the thinking was behind the script and direction, but I really felt like there was a lot of missing back story and overall setup to the film. Former Hugh Heffnerette McCarthy helps keep interest in the film with some solid acting, but the film's direction never allows her to fully exploit the corporate-power-woman act. She almost seems too light hearted to be taken as a hard nosed marketing exec, but nevertheless McCarthy gives it her all.

I'm not sure where this film lost me, but story-wise, I think I must have missed an important plot point somewhere. One moment McCarthy's character is exchanging and setting up a high-powered date with her corporate love interest, and next she's taking her adviser/assistant to the North Pole on a dog sled. No where, and I mean no where, was there any sort of hint or mere suggestion that this woman is the daughter of St. Nick. But maybe it's presumed the viewer already knows the premise of the film? I'm not sure.

In any event, the story skips along, glossing over these minor points, and tosses in some minor gags to alleviate a so-so film. George Wendt was a touch miscast as St. Nick, but has some of the best lines in the film. Even so, he never struck me as being a convincing Santa Claus. Sure, he's got the pot belly, and the beard and mustache, but it's scraggly, and Santa is missing his jolly disposition. It's almost like Wendt is doing the role just to get the cheque.

The core of the story has promise, but the script wasn't developed enough, and the director was forced to work with what he had. Even so, he should've been more inventive. Truth be told one gets the sense that he didn't have the freedom to tinker with the film too much. In the final analysis the work feels like it was a moderately budgeted focus-group film. A film designed to just make enough to cover its cost, and maybe make a little money for the studio.

A lot of thesping is put forth to cover up some rather thin material. Story, plot holes, and so-so slapstick and other schtick almost makeup for a pretty thin film. It's not one I'd see again. On the plus side it's fairly clean, so if you want your kids to see a Playboy Bunny with her clothes on, then rent this film. Otherwise skip it.

Wow is my only comment. McCarthy reveals so much depth and charisma in her acting abilities. I also found this story quite intriguing. Who is this daughter of Kringle?...This re-arranger of emotions who has held my heart captive for so long? I don't want to spoil any surprises for the possible late viewers BUT I will say it has a happy ending. Not in the massage parlor way either. My life is changed forever.

I should also note that the annoying song that goes with this movie made me not want to watch it. I would recommend that any other viewer who fears this will taint the actual viewing should swallow this pill in a small show of sacrifice. While not as astoundingly good as that one with Dudley as a drunken elf--for which I can't remember the title--it does stand out as a heart-warming cup of holiday good-spirit-nog. My soul is tinseled with good will toward my fellow man. Just what Christmas is about. I'm a better person for having watched it.

Mary (Jenny McCarthy) is a high powered businesswoman who runs her own marketing and business advice company. However, her roots are at the North Pole...yes, she's Santa's daughter. When Santa has some health problems, Mrs. Claus calls Mary in to help get everything ready for the Big Day that is fast approaching. Mary obliges. But, can Mary's successful business techniques really work for the spirited but mentally infantile elves? We'll see. In the meantime, Mary has found her long lost love, Luke (Ivan Sergei), to be still employed as the area's mailman. And, he's still a doll, both in looks and demeanor. Is a repeat romance far away? This is a great movie, both for children and their parents. The elves are quite comical and should garner laughs from the little ones. Kids should also enjoy the enchanting village where Santa and his elves do their work. For grownups, McCarthy, Wendt, and company slyly draw forth mirth with their antics, as well. As for Sergei, this viewer would watch him recite a cereal box cover, a la Gigli, but, fortunately, this is not necessary. He brings charm, sweetness, and presence to his delightful character, Luke. What girl COULD resist? Kudos to the production company that brought this film to light. As a holiday gift to a family audience, it just does not get much better or more welcome than this.

This is not the first story about Santa planning to retire, and let a son/daughter take over the toy manufacturing and delivery business. The idea has been done before, often and better.

Apparently, Santa's daughter Mary (Jenny McCarthy) was once as kind hearted and sweet as her folks and the elves that work for them. For whatever reason, she veered from her famous father's (George Wendt) path, and became a corporate junior exec with a big mouth and an attitude to match. When she discovers her dad is physically unable to perform his duties one season, she butts in, takes over, and embarks on a board room mentality approach to revamp the North Pole toyshop for greater "efficiency." The dialogue is needlessly negative, as she mocks generosity, Christmas cheer, elves, and her amiable father. Here's a typical line from the movie, as an example of the overall tone: "Here's a stocking....stuff it." Original and hilarious, isn't it?

The acting rises above the script, and there's a sweet, sentimental romance in the later going of the film. It's a shame that the meanness early on may lead you to shut this thing off before it introduces this element. If you can make it through the first half of the film, you may find a dose of Christmas spirit from the movie near the end.

This is a highly predictable movie, but exceedingly sweet, as Jenny McCarthy, a demographics-driven marketing expert goes back to take over the family business -- the Santa Claus operations for daddy, of course -- and discovers the true meaning of Christmas. The jokes are a little weak as elves stop work every seventeen minutes for cookie breaks and Ms. McCarthy is a little strident.

George Wendt is surprisingly good at producing a layered performance as Santa Claus. Everyone else falls into patterns that you would expect in a post-millennium movie in which Christmas is freed from all religious significance, but it has its moments and its charms.