the leading man is my tpye

Excellent but underrated film

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

In a sea of family Christmas films I seem to be on a mission to watch them all each and every Christmas. Usually while doing Christmas baking I will try out a new one so I gave this a go on a total fluke. It didn't blow me away in the least. The production value seems like next to nothing and the performances are hokey but you know what...it has everything you want from a strictly family oriented Christmas film. There is a ton of magic, romance, fantasy and its just simple fun. The biggest problem with this film is that there is absolutely nothing that stands out about it. We've even seen the "mannequin" come to life story before more than once! The cast is stiff (no pun intended) and the story is rushed. But I also doubt that it was made for my demographic. I would guess that little girls and their Mom's could curl up on the couch and truly enjoy this little film. However, outside of that demographic there just simply isn't a lot to cheer for here.Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10

Juliet Sorcey was just 10 when this was made, and she was fantastic! She played her part perfectly. You could really see a little girl who just wanted to have a mother to get her through the holidays.One would never believe that Olivia Newton-John (Grease) is two years older than I am. At 42, she was the picture of perfection in this film and you really could believe that she was 28. How in the world does she do it? This was a neat fantasy about making Christmas for a little girl and it really came to life.With two songs sung by Olivia Newton-John, it was a real pleasure. I'll be watching it again and again.

A very sorry tale--with a weird message and dismal "anwser" for kids grieving a parent. It doesn't work. This story doesn't resonate with even a fairytale depiction of hopes and dreams or recognizable human characteristics.The premise of "A Mom for Christmas" is that a little girl misses her dead mother and so she wishes a store mannequin will be her mom for the holiday. What?! What studio executive thought there was an audience of kids who want a mannequin for a parent? The script doesn't work, even though, in the fairy godmother role, Doris Roberts (as the magical mentor) does her best. She is the one bright spot in this movie.Unfortunately, the acting styles of the rest of the cast do nothing to redeem a poorly conceived story.Olivia Newton John doesn't aspire to portray any deeper emotions or intellect than a store mannequin--even though she was supposed to "come to life" and fulfill the little girl's wish for a real mom. Her idea of depicting emotions consist of a lot of exaggerated and laughable eye-popping.Instead of creating a mom character the little girl could bond with, Olivia plays the role like she herself were a five-year-old girl in a sitcom--constantly opening her eyes wide, like a surprised bat.WHY THE MOVIE DOESN'T WORK...Most fairy tales are based in tragedy--especially comedies. The well-made fairy tales can make us believe in even the most far-fetched premise because they infuse the fantasy with a subtext of human experience--our secret wishes, hopes, fears and dreams."A Mom For Christmas" aspires to be a Christmas fairytale--but lacks any compelling story elements.Compare other Christmas fairy tales: For example: "ELF" Will Ferrell is an orphaned human adopted by elves. although he loves his "elf family", deep-down, Will feels like an outsider. The movie uses humor to tell a simple tale but under the silly antics and fun, we appreciate his quest to find out about his mysterious past and recognize Will's longing to "belong." Even though it is a light and silly movie, we care about Will as the "Elf" and go along with the "Fairytale" elements because the underlying premise of the movie resonates with the human experience of hopes and dreams.Unfortuanately, this Christmas "fairytale" flops.

This is a wonderful film for all the family. Its about an 11 year old girl called Jessica that spends a lot of time walking around a large department store watching other girls shopping with their Mums, Jessicas Mum died when Jessica was only 3 years old. Jessica gets a free gift from the stores wishing well & she wishes for a Mom for the holidays. Olivia plays a manikin in the store & comes to life at midnight to be Jessicas Mum till midnight Christmas Eve. My 4 children and I watch it every year and we love it. I first saw it in 1995 and I recorded it off the television. I would love to own this film on Video or DVD. Olivia plays an excellent leading role in this film. The film is packed with Christmas magic as well as being a love story. I have another Christmas film with Olivia playing the starring role, A Holiday Romance, which is another Christmas love story which we all enjoy.