"One Magic Christmas" is definitely a movie you will either like or hate. I was fortunate enough to watch this when it was first released. I will have to admit - the depressing tone set in the beginning almost chased me out of the theater. Unlike many of the recent film-failures I have successfully abandoned - I stuck this one out to the bitter end, and I am so glad I remained seated. I really enjoyed this movie. In fact, I honestly believe this is one of the last productions worthy of the "Disney" logo (I kid). Granted, the majority of the films plot was appropriated from Capra's, "It's a Wonderful Life," and reformatted it into the 1980's style. Normally, this kind of heavily borrowing would be enough to earn a major thumbs-down. But I let it go. To begin with, I think this is one of the only Mary Steenburgen movies I actually enjoyed. I felt this woman was excellent in her role as "Ginny." Even though she was not the nicest character, you could appreciate what she was going through and the people she was dealing with. The fellow playing her husband, Gary Basarba, delivered a performance I felt was spot-on as well. Now I do remember reading reviews just after the movie hit the screens. Some reviewers busied themselves harping about 'Gideon' possessing some nefarious visual attributes. Sorry, I didn't see it. Harry Dean Stanton performed perfectly. Honestly, the entire cast conveyed an outstanding Christmas story worthy of remembering. All this talent was skillfully orchestrated by a Phillip Bosros who sadly passed away ten years later. I feel his directing skills were very admirable. As far as recommending this movie goes…I do…with a couple of caveats. Before I let a young child see this, I would watch it first. There may be items a child too young may miss. Also, this might not meet the Christmas-movie needs of everyone and I completely understand that. Like I said in the beginning, you will either hate it…or you will thoroughly enjoy it. For me – I could watch this every year.

It seems people have either loved or hated this movie. I watched it for the first time recently with my kids, as I have a soft spot for 1980's family movies. The movie had some promise, but was very confusing.First, I loved the cinematic style of the film. The images of Christmas lights, snow falling and suburban life in the 80ies are very beautiful. I also appreciate the fact that in the movies of the period of 1980ies to early 90ies the life of ordinary people people is treated with great respect, unlike in most modern flicks. The struggling family which is at the center of the plot is very likable. The movie also has an important message that Christmas spirit can be found in the middle of the challenges of ordinary life.On the other hand, however, the angel plot is treated in a very confusing manner. As a theologian I might point out that dead people do not become angels. That might be beside the point, as the movie apparently tries to be a magical children's tale in this respect. But when the theological idea, that an angel is sent by God, is replaced by an angel sent by Santa Claus, the result becomes quite confusing: Apparently good people are sent to the North Pole when they die, to work at Santa's Factory. Santa then has these people in his service as Christmas Angels, who he can send to other people to raise Christmas spirit. However: If the dead people go to Santa, why is it, that Santa is unable to bring the dead father of the family back to life? Or at least, send him back as another Christmas angel? Moreover, is the North Pole a place existing in the real word, or some kind of magical place accessible only with the help of an angel? These questions were not thought through, and because of this, the 'metaphysical' structure that functions as the staring point of the story is weird and non-functional. One can of course say that one should not take these points seriously, but because they are important for the central plot issue of bringing the dead father back alive, they unfortunately cannot be dismissed.Moreover, many people, including me, were quite confused with what actually did happen at the conclusion of the story. I take it that time was reversed to the point where Ginny and Jack departed on their evening walk and Ginny met the angel, giving her a second opportunity to make the same choices, this time right, as happens in the movie Groudhog Day. The movie also resembles the famous Christmas classic It's a Wonderful life. The other option would be that the bad things which happened were some kind of a dream caused by the angel, so that they did not actually happen at all. With this answer one could skip some of the metaphysical questions regarding the rule of Santa over the dead and the nature of the North Pole. However, the problem is, that what happened is not clearly explained. The viewer is left with confusion regarding the mode of the conclusion. This is especially bad as the movie is nevertheless aimed at young children and portrays very tragic events. The parent cannot tell the kids what happened, if he or she does not understand it either.I would have very much wanted to the like the movie more than I can, as the foundational message is very important. However, in an attempt to escape a serious exploration of the topic of angels the movie is built on so confusing 'metaphysical' assumptions regarding the capabilities of angels and Santa, that it is almost impossible to get a coherent picture of what actually happens in the movie. In other words, though the message is good, the means used to deliver it do not work.

This movie from Disney is a bit upsetting and not appropriate at all with a Rated G rating. It should PG or PG-13, as this 89 minutes Christmas movie has a robbery, kidnapping, car crash, extreme child endangerment, and a murder. It's no way, should be Rated G. It's actually quite a dreary, downbeat and sad film for the most part, with realistic and mundane look of life. Nothing in the film directed by Phillip Borsos stands out as lively. The clothing is dreary. The locations are cold, and dark. The characters, plot, and nearly everything in production design looks bleak. While, the movie did have a good cast, the story didn't had that golly feeling needed to make this watchable. One Magic Christmas is starts out grim, already as it's about a mother Ginny Grainger (Mary Steenburgen), whom husband, Jack (Gary Basaraba) is out of work, and the family is near being homeless as they are force to move out of the company house before the end of the year. Jack has a big dream of opening a bike shop of his own, but it would eat up their savings, which Ginny sees as a foolish move. I hate how the movie makes Ginny look like Scrooge, because she loses sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Great symbolism like when all the Christmas lights begin turning off all around her, as to show that the last of the Christmas spirit has been drained from her after a fight with Jack, but it was a bit cruel. I'm sorry, but if you can't make ends meet, you have to cut down. She is already working as a cashier in the grocery store. She also raising their children; Abbie (Elisabeth Harnois), Caleb (Arthur Hill) and Cal (Robbie Magwood); so she is no way a Grinch like character. So the responsible mom is the bad guy here, while the happy- go-lucky, spendthrift Dad, so full of good cheer, is the hero. What? Christmas get worst for them, as a series of near accidents seem to follow. First off, Abbie nearly get run over by a car while sending a letter to Santa at her mailbox, but a guardian angel name Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton) save her. The next day, Christmas Eve, Ginny get fired from her job due to her trying to take care of her children, and also against her wishes, Jack goes to the bank to take some money out of their savings to do some Christmas shopping for the kids. A bank robber enters the bank and accidentally shot Jack during the heist. He then flees the bank and hops into the family's car with Abbie and Cal still inside. Ginny realizes that the gunman just stole the car with the children in it, chases after him, only to find out that the car has swerve off the bridge into a river below with her children. I know about Murphy's Law, but this movie makes it look like it's like God is trying to go Job on her like a Final Destination style with its silly everything that can go wrong, could, gimmick. It was a bit too much for dramatic effect. After learning of the death of both her husband and children, Ginny returns home to an empty house, spirit broken, and weeps. Are you sure, producers that this is a Christmas movie?! Anyways, Ginny find out that Gideon save the children before the crash, but couldn't save the Dad. The reasons why, he couldn't save him is BS, in my opinion. Gideon tells the children, that only Santa Claus (Jan Rubes) can bring him back alive which end up being a lie, too. The only way to save Jack is for Abbie's mother to have her spirit of Christmas back in which the kids try with a Christmas letter. Will Ginny get her Christmas spirit back or will Jack be gone forever? Watch the movie for the rest. The ending is a cop out, anyways. Remember children, if somebody dies, it's because your parent doesn't believe in the Christmas spirit; it wasn't the thing that killed them! Plus, if you ever want them back from the dead, just ask Santa is raised them from the grave like zombies. He already use zombies to work his workshop rather than elves, anyways. The bank robber left his son at the bus station; he never mentioned again, will he get his father back if he believed in Santa? NO! What a horrible message. The movie should be telling children how to overcome tragedy; because in real life, you can't change past events. This would make a better message then the one, we get in this film. The acting in the film is pretty alright. Mary Steenburgen is very emotionally subdued throughout the film. Her character walks around in a daze, enjoying little of life. She is a great actress. Harry Dean Stanton is a fine actor but his character looked like a child killer than an angel. It didn't help that he was in a long trench coat, and dark hat spying on them on top of trees. He look and act like a craze stalker. Sadly, Guardian angel Gideon shares many characteristics with child molesters and pretty much a bad role model. One thing about the movie is its pacing. It's boring at times. Overall: The message means well, but the plot is too dark for a Christmas movie. Ugh, Stay away from this one, if you have young children. It's worth viewing with a more mature audience.

I absolutely love this movie. I have been looking for it for a long time. Great to finally find it, awesome. Every year when Christmas comes around i think about this movie and for the life of me i can never remember the name of it. The only thing that i can remember is that the Angel's name is Gideon. I am hoping now that i have actually written the name of the movie down that i can go out there and purchase it somewhere so that i can put it away every year after Christmas after watching it with my family and also showing it to other families also. It is good to know now that if i am having trouble finding a movie i can always come to this site and share my information about what i know and what i would like to know.