Brendon Jones
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Claire Dunne
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
Stephanie
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
mark.waltz
As the world seems to escape further and further from the real meaning of Christmas, it is important to remind ourselves that the holiday wasn't created to give praise to some old fat bearded man in a red suit. Yes, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell) believes in Santa, but she also believes in the baby boy born in a manger in the middle of a Bethlehem stable. She sings gloriously loud and proud of her innocent faith, and while her teacher appreciates her enthusiasm, she must ask her to tone it down a bit so the other kids singing in the annual Christmas pageant aren't drowned out. Her classmates consider her a bit of a geek, so poor Jessica is almost a bit of an outcast. This makes her faith all the more powerful and her story all the more touching.Jessica's down on his luck father (Sam Neill) has been working hard to make ends meet, and while he's not enthusiastic about the holidays, he doesn't want to spoil his daughter's. Jessica happens to come across an injured reindeer whom she is certain is the mythic Prancer. Her efforts to take care of the deer's injury are interfered with by the concerned adults of the small community she lives in, and when the deer ends up in a cage, Jessica is concerned because she fears Prancer's absence will stall Christmas around the world.While most of the cynical adults don't see Jessica's perspective on the situation, a few do, including local handyman Abe Vigoda and aging recluse Cloris Leachman. Her typical curmudgeon character was once a major patroness of the Christmas decorating season but has withdrawn from society, and it is up to the little Jessica to show her that a closed heart can be re-opened. The magic of the season is felt throughout and brings joy into both the viewers and cynical characters Jessica encounters throughout. As I prepare for the New York City holiday season with tons of Santas and elves running around creating havoc, I can look back at films like this, "A Christmas Story" and other classics, and remind myself that the distractions meant to make us forget about and what the season really is about.
William Brighenti
Most modern day Christmas stories are too hygienic, with perfect homes, perfect looking children, perfect looking parents, too neatly constructed plots, ending up with something too sugar coated to allow the viewer to suspend disbelief while watching it. For instance, the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street" should have been named, "The Yuppies Get the 5,000 Square Foot House for a Family of Three". What trash.But not so with the movie, "Prancer". Jessica is not too pretty, but quite ordinary looking. Her father looks like a real working class individual who has lost his job and is down on his luck, not like a hedge fund manager living in Fairfield, Connecticut.But what makes this story so very special is a cute story, realistically set, with great performances by Sam Eliot, Abe Vigoda, Cloris Leahman, Michael Constantine, but especially by Rebecca Harrell Tickell as the main character! Rebecca portrays Jessica with the right touch of innocence, and willfulness. I could not imagine anyone else playing Jessica so perfectly.I love this movie. I love Rebecca Harrell Tickell's performance as Jessica. My favorite scenes are those involving Abe Vigoda and Rebecca Harrell Tickell, and Rebecca in Church. They are side-splitting.This movie ranks up there with "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Christmas is not Christmas without "Prancer" for my family. If you have not seen it, get it.
Michael O'Keefe
Pleasant fantasy tale for the whole family. Nine-year-old Rebecca(Jessica Riggs)still believes in Santa despite the nay saying of her father(Sam Elliott) and the teasing from her friends. She finds an ailing reindeer in a remote part of the forest and she knows she will have to help the animal heal in secrecy...in her father's barn. Her father John is a no-nonsense apple farmer and knows some hay is mysteriously missing before discovering for himself the ailing deer his daughter has dubbed Prancer. The town's recluse(Cloris Leachman)lets Rebecca do odd jobs around her house in order to earn money to speed the deer's recovery. Prancer seems to have the ability to vanish rather rapidly and then reappear...he truly must be one of Santa's revered eight tiny reindeer. Also in the cast: Abe Vigoda, Michael Constantine, John Duda and Rutanya Alda.
BookPoet
This film proves that there are still unspoiled hearts left on Planet Earth. Those who find it sappy or irrelevant have spent too much time wearing Grinch suits and need a good dose of humanity to thaw that hard matter in their chests that passes for a heart.The child actors are the heart of _Prancer_. They are real, never overacting or coming off as children playing at making a film. Sam Elliot is the epitome of the overstressed, depressed man who has lost his wife and despairs of losing everything else too. His transformation is believable and worthy of the time spent to watch his character unfold. Cloris Leachman is a delight as the female Scrooge who is touched by two children--Jessica who reintroduces her to the joy of Christmas, and a little boy in church who reintroduces her to the joy of human fellowship.Above all, this is a story of transition. The earnest child must move forward to knowledge, and the jaded grownup must move back to mystery and faith. If your Christmas is too much take and not enough give, I prescribe hot chocolate, hot buttered popcorn, and a viewing of Prancer with people you love. Better yet, do as we have and make this movie part of your personal holiday tradition. It might help make you a better person the rest of the year.
