Santa Claus: The Movie
This is a movie that for some reason, no one really talks about, but I'm sure everybody's seen. It's on every Christmas on the major channels, yet no one looks at it other than to merely acknowledge its existence and let it fall under the category of popcorn flicks to watch on a Christmas afternoon when you maybe have nothing to do. That's a shame, because Santa Claus: The Movie, is actually a great film. There have been many origin stories for Santa Claus, but this one is the best, and as for the embodiment of old Saint Nick himself, David Huddleston does it perfectly. He's got the look, voice, and feel of Santa Claus and plays the role of Santa as a person to near perfection. The supporting cast is also just superb. Dudley Moore as the eccentric forward thinking elf is just the best, and John Lithgow as the greedy conniving toy maker is hilarious, evil, and fun to watch onscreen. As far as origin stories go, this might even be one of the best ever, bringing a new look at the legend of Santa Claus while perfectly capturing what we already think of Santa Claus.
Aside from the origin aspect, the movie does a wonderful job of moving the narrative along centuries to our modern-day times(or at least modern in the eighties). This is not merely a simplistic children's movie, there is plenty to take from as serious movie and should never be dismissed for simplicity. The movie explains wonderfully why Saint Nick became Santa Claus by introducing a prophecy among the elves that a childless toy-maker would love all the children of the world and would become known as Santa Claus. It gives you something to think about the character of Santa Claus, who has always longed for children, but could never have any, and seems to satisfied being just a symbol of hope and joy to all the children everywhere. It adds to the depth of the character as the narrative moves along and shows us how deep down, even after all these centuries, he thinks about what it would be like to be a father, and he finds a son figure in the form of the orphan boy named Joe.
The movie also does not merely stay in the point of telling Santa Claus' origin. There is the struggle of Santa having to come around to not giving presents to naughty children, and as would be expected of someone who is a Saint, he is resistant to the notion. We also see the battle of trying to maintain the Christmas spirit and the struggle to embrace modernism. At one stage of the film we find Santa questioning whether or not there is even a point to Christmas at all, noting to his wife (who plays a more integral part of the story than in perhaps any other film) how people have lost the feeling of giving presents just to see the look in their friends' eyes. It's a touching and heartbreaking scene, and one that summarizes our society, more now than it did 30 years ago, perfectly.
If you've never seen Santa Claus: The Movie, you are truly missing out on one of the best Christmas gems out there. This is a movie to be enjoyed by all. It is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but neither does it take itself too seriously. There is fantasy and magic, but it is also grounded and believable and does a rare terrific job of staying with the confines it makes for itself. This is a movie to be enjoyed, whether your looking for a look at the legend or just want to have a good time. Watch it for the story, or at the very least watch it for the second half if for no other reason than John Lithgow's unforgettable performance as B.Z, the toy-maker. There is plenty of Christmas cheer to be found as well as deep meaning. It's a movie that will leave you with joy and a better appreciation of the Christmas season, and the purpose and need of Santa Claus.
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