"One Magic Christmas" is one of my all-time favorite movies. Not just favorite Christmas movies but favorite movies. I remember seeing this movie for the first time in the theater (MovieWorld, Douglaston, NY). I almost needed help walking out of the theater because I was emotionally draining by the end of the movie. Every time I finish watching this movie I'm a mess. "One Magic Christmas" touches me in a way few movies ever have. "One Magic Christmas" is in my Top 20 All-Time movies list. It's a classic.

"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.

I thought this was one of the most depressing holiday movies I have ever seen--the others being THE Christmas WIFE and JACK FROST. All three movies are about death. If you LIKE being thoroughly depressed, then by all means watch this film or any of the others. In this film, the acting is good and some of the scenery (apart when people are dying) is lovely. But, I am worried that a clinically depressed person might accidentally see the film and do themselves in! Despite a "happily ever after" ending, the major portion of this film is one awful disaster following another. And, for some crazy reason, I DON'T WANT TO BE DEPRESSED when I watch a Christmas movie (I know this sounds crazy folks--after all, isn't bawling your eyes out and feeling miserable what the holidays are all about anyway?).

For a more uplifting viewing experience, try the forgotten HOUSE WITHOUT A Christmas TREE, George C. Scott's Christmas CAROL or A Christmas STORY instead--unless of course you like being miserable.