Finding Santa (2017)

The first must-see film of the year.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I'm honestly shocked this movie managed to squeeze two hours on this ridiculous plot and complete lack of chemistry? After the town Santa (who really isn't Santa but it's the family business???) breaks his arm Christmas-crazed Jessica makes it her mission to spend the rest of the movie trying to force Santa's son, Ben, to take his place. I agree with another reviewer, all of this plot is based on Ben not being able to give up 2 hours of his life to help out?I had so many moments in between being completely bored when I was left scratching my head. Like why is Jessica texting Ben's dad the entire drive from Boston and when they arrive he asks if HIS PARENTS know if he's there? He can't call his own parents? Ok. On the unnecessary drive back to Boston (to waste...I mean fill more time) they just happen to need to get out of the storm near Jessica's "friends" house? More questions...this friend doesn't care that they're just crashing in and spending the night? Or that Jessica just helps herself to the kitchen to make eggnog? Fast forward more boring stuff like Ben forcing Jessica to own up to not really being happy she took over her grandparents/parents year-round Christmas shop. Somehow, these two fall in love, or in like given the lack of chemistry. He ends up playing Santa, although he's 30-ish? No, the glasses don't make him look any older. They kiss, it's boring, the end. Hallmark do me a favor and pull this out of rotation.

Dialogue and overall plot lacked complexity. Very little character development from start to finish was made. Unrealistic. Poor development in all. I think it lacked plot. Immature sentences and not great acting. I didn't like this movie at all and don't recommend. Like no thanks

This film follows a typical Hallmark movie plot, which is "The Big Christmas Event Is In Jeopardy." There is a sub-plot of "Let's See If Two Strangers In A Fix Fall In Love."Jodie Sweetin plays Grace, who lives happily in a small town running her deceased parents' year-round Christmas store. Grace also organizes the annual Christmas Parade, which has become so good that a big city TV show wants to televise it this year. The Santa who always heads the parade makes Santa his family business, and plays the perfect St. Nick. Unfortunately, a mishap occurs and Original Santa is suddenly out of commission. A local casting call for a replacement fails miserably. The TV spot is on the line, as well as the town's economic resurgence everyone was hoping for. Original Santa reveals that his son, Ben, is trained in the family Santa business and perhaps might fill in. Ben, however, is now a freelance writer in not-so-far Boston. He flatly turns down the request. Somehow the family business is a bit of bitter baggage for Ben, who prefers to be a reindeer's behind instead of letting a one- time Santa gig interfere with his independence. Unfortunately the movie drags viewers through Grace's Herculean efforts to bring Ben back to his hometown and convince him to take two hours out of his busy schedule to save the day. Ben and Grace seem to hit it off as the big Santa-less event approaches. Ben is a young super- looks guy who has no resemblance to a traditional Santa, so, again, why all the effort to recruit him for TV? There is a scene where he demonstrates his Santa-like persona to some children; somehow that is supposed to reinforce why Grace wants him to be The Big Red One. It falls short. After all, the job consists only of waving at fans for one parade. As it becomes apparent to anyone not in the movie that there is absolutely no logical reason for Ben's continued refusal, it becomes a lesson in not letting civic charity get in the way of your selfish aspirations. Ben even tries to convince Grace that she must be unhappy carrying on her family legacy, and should bust out of the joint.If you want to sit through this to see how it all plays out, be my guest. Jodie is an excellent actress. The movie is beautifully filmed. The music is better then the typical annoying cues in many Hallmark movies that lamely attempt to supplement strained humor. Accordingly, I gave it three stars instead of none. Be forewarned, though; this is about as dumb as plot conflicts get.

check my review here https://alittleofallblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/25/finding-santa- hallmark-movie/Christmas is all about tradition and Finding Santa starts with Family businesses and tradition. I had missed the presence of Santa in hallmark movies this year, and Finding Santa fills that hole. The store in the movie is a delight. It's amazing.