Santa Who?

Santa Who? is a heartwarming family comedy film that beautifully captures the essence of the Christmas holiday season. This 2000 movie features some well-loved faces including Leslie Nielsen, Steven Eckholdt, Robyn Lively, and Max Morrow. The movie is significant because it fuses elements of comedy and holiday inspiration into a storyline that is set to appeal to viewers of all ages. Director William Dear elegantly constructs a holiday narrative that fits perfectly into the Christmas season while maintaining aspects of humor, drama, and suspense.

In Santa Who?, Leslie Nielsen stars as Santa Claus. However, this is not the traditional Santa that audiences are familiar with. The movie introduces us to Santa Claus in a quite unusual circumstance - he suffers from amnesia due to a sledding accident. This twist in the plot brings comedy legend Leslie Nielsen to the forefront to portray one of the most beloved characters in holiday lore, in a way only he can.

In the small town of New York City, Nielsen's Santa Claus is discovered by reporter Peter Albright, portrayed by Steven Eckholdt. Albright's career is not exactly on the rise, he is stuck producing fluff pieces for the local news and longs for better storylines. He uses his own past personal experiences to try and figure out the identity of this peculiar, red-suited, amnesia-stricken man. Albright ends up inviting this amnesiac Santa back to his place, thinking that helping this amnesiac figure out his true identity will be his ticket to a hard news headline.

Meanwhile, Max Morrow features as the young boy named Zack, who unequivocally believes that Nielsen is Santa Claus, despite his amnesia. This character introduces the aspect of young, untainted belief in the magic of Christmas even when the adults are skeptical. Robyn Lively adds to the ensemble as Albright's love interest who also plays a critical role in the evolution of the storyline.

The film's comedic elements primarily spring from Nielsen’s performance, who is best known for his deadpan humor. His interpretation of a Santa Claus who has forgotten who he is, unaware of his own magical abilities and significance to the holiday season, is particularly entertaining. Nielsen’s comedic timing and hilarious antics fill the movie with moments of laughter.

However, Santa Who? also has an underlying message. Through the framed narrative of Santa’s amnesia, the movie cleverly allows viewers to explore the various interpretations of what Santa represents — jolliness, kindness, and the spirit of giving. The film emphasizes the ability to believe in magic and to hold onto faith, as demonstrated by the innocence of Zack. The film is filled with incredibly sweet moments, uplifting the holiday spirit and offering its audience an endearing tale that emphasizes the importance of family, friendship, love, self-belief, and the magical spirit of Christmas.

The movie's beauty lies in its simplicity and the way it showcases the need for believing, not just in Santa Claus, but in the purity and happiness of the Christmas season. The plot takes amusing and heart-tugging turns, presenting its viewers with a meaningful journey that incorporates laughter with life lessons. The characterization is unique, even for a holiday movie, and the acting performances add a depth of emotion that makes the movie a touching Christmas tale.

Ultimately, Santa Who? is filled with Christmas magic, holiday cheer, and humorous moments that families can enjoy together. Nielsen's delightful performance as the amnesiac Santa, along with the sincere performances of the supporting cast, make this film a holiday charmer. It is an amusing, light-hearted holiday movie that brings warmth and laughter into the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, reminding us all of the true spirit of Christmas.