One Magic Christmas

One Magic Christmas, a heartfelt, family-centric Canadian-American holiday film, is a blend of fantasy and drama that etches a deep emotional alleyway into the viewers' hearts. This 1985 holiday offering from Phillip Borsos, known for his work in The Grey Fox (1982), presents an amalgamation of reverie, emotion, and the emblematic magic of Christmas. This yuletide charm stars the Emmy award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen, time-honored actor Gary Basaraba, and the versatile Harry Dean Stanton.

Mary Steenburgen plays the crucial role of Ginny Grainger, a modern-day, hard-nosed pragmatist weighed down by the struggles of life. Accompanied by a zealous and visionaries husband Jack, played by Gary Basaraba, Ginny finds herself in a job that barely meets the ends while Jack is relentlessly aspiring to open his bike shop. The couple is loving parents to two adorable kids, Abby and Cal. The Grainger family's life becomes a mirror reflecting the stark reality of countless families surviving hardships with their dreams and resilience intact.

Despite their daunting struggles, the Graingers manage to retain the sense of warmth, love, and togetherness in their family. However, Ginny, equality bittered by the hardships of life, has become a realist to the point where she finds no exuberance in the festive spirit of Christmas. Her jaded perspective toward holiday joy and the lack of faith in miracles stand out glaringly amidst the euphoria of Christmas.

In an interesting twist, the movie introduces the character of Harry Dean Stanton, the angel Christmas magic weaves into the Graingers' story. Stanton plays Gideon, an enigmatic and strange drifter with a unique, divine responsibility. His primary objective is to wake Ginny from her skepticism and help her rekindle her faith in the magic of Christmas.

So, what leads to the Grainger family's encounter with Gideon? What sequence of events propels Ginny to question her long-held convictions about life and miracles? How will Jack and the kids react throughout this process? One Magic Christmas guides the audience through these intriguing questions and the transformative journey of the Grainger family.

Brimming with poignant moments, this film paints a vivid tapestry of human emotions and family ties. It emphasizes the enduring power of love, kindness, and the significance of maintaining faith in miracles, especially during the magical season of Christmas. The spirit of the holiday season pulses through the narrative, infusing it with warmth, hope, and gelid slices of yuletide mirth.

The excellence of Mary Steenburgen's thoughtful performance, Gary Basaraba's charming portrayal of Jack, and Harry Dean Stanton's hauntingly magnetic presence as Gideon, collectively elevate the aesthetic depth of the narrative. Simultaneously, the performances of Elizabeth Harnois and Robbie Magwood, playing the innocent and lively Cal and Abby, add a breath of freshness to the film.

What sets One Magic Christmas apart is its ability to convey a mature, layered narrative while keeping the enthralling charm of the yuletide spirit intact. The film shines not just with family holiday cheer but also has an element of unconventional drama that often makes the viewers introspect about the true meaning of Christmas.

On the technical front, cinematographer Frank Tidy, known for his work on The Duellists (1977), beautifully captures the sprawling landscapes and intimately lit interiors. The music, composed by Michael Conway Baker, offers a well-balanced mix of sentimental tunes and quintessential Christmas carols lending an enriching melodic backdrop to the narrative.

In conclusion, while sparing viewers from the typical candy-cane sweetness of most holiday films, One Magic Christmas delivers a touching narrative enveloped in the spirit of hope, faith, miracles, and love. As the title promises, magic and Christmas perfectly blend, transcending the ordinary, leading the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and culminating in a heartfelt climax that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you are a lover of sentimental dramas, enjoy holiday-themed films, or are a fan of the cast's tremendous talent, One Magic Christmas is a movie that embraces all with its magical allure.