Secret Santa

2003
6| 2h0m| PG| en
Details

Newspaper reporter Rebecca Chandler, who feels she got no fair chance to prove her worth in her thee years career, looks forward to a Hawaian holiday with her fiancé Ryan, but instead of a ring he brings her- walking orders, he found better. So she accepts again to be the bachelor on duty in the Christmas season, and write the annual romantic non-news feel good-story, once more about the elusive Secret Santa in small-town Hamden, where the Christmas spirit it said to last all year. Bad luck follows her from Indianapolis: her car breaks down, she can only get lodgings in a home for the elderly without Internet, and nobody wants to help her unmask the secret Santa. Soon she guesses it must be the only rich philanthropist, but the popular Mr. John Martin Carter doesn't grant her an interview and isn't tricked either, in fact meets her at the worst repeatedly without her knowing him...

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Reviews

Salubfoto It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.
Beulah Bram A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.
Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film
j-phil610 I began watching this movie several years ago, and try to watch it each Christmas. Sharing it with family, and friends, is great, too. I've seen some of the actors, in other movies, and in other roles, but they seem to come to life, in this movie, as though they wanted to get the point, of the story, across to all who viewed it. I've seen many other Christmas themed movies but this one has touched on something truly meaningful; something that the general viewing audience could benefit from, not just to see a movie, but to see one with the true meaning of Christmas. This movie has all the heart that is necessary to prove that there are still "nice" people, in this world. Those who want to brighten other people's lives without receiving a "pat on the back" for a good deed, are still out there, not seeking glory, for themselves. It sets a good example, to all of us, that we should follow this premise, and think of others and not just of ourselves. This can be done at other times of the year, as well, and not just at Christmas time. I enjoy watching this movie, every Christmas, as a reminder of that fact. God bless the ones who made the movie, and those who took part in it.
James Donnelly This film nearly passed me by, but as I'm involved in this year's Reddit Secret Santa, the name of the movie jumped out at me, and I am SO glad I watched it.On the surface, it is a schmaltzy, sweet, moral Christmas story. There were many well known TV actors in the film, which actually helped telling the tale.Jennie Garth is very likable as the investigative reporter sent to a small town to find out who is giving those in need gifts and is known as a Secret Santa.Garth's character assumes that its the local millionaire, an easy but obvious choice. She sets about asking members of the town about this secret Santa. They all know the story, but not who it is. Some have ideas which gives the reporter hope in cracking the story.As time goes on, She starts to get like the the town and where at the start of the film she was a big city girl with a good job, (an unfaithful) fiancé and a car, she discovers there is more to life than material things.I have to be honest, (maybe I wasn't as observant as another reviewer) I thought I knew who the Santa was, and was pleasantly surprised at their reveal. Maybe in retrospect it was easy to spot, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and as it is a TV movie, I'm kinda sad that its not available on DVD! This is a must see movie that will warm the cockles of your heart!
mrskperry I agree with Jim and the other comments. I recorded this on the off chance as I was at work and settled down to watch it a couple of days later. From the first few moments which seemed to echo my own Bah Humbug sentiments, to the final revealing of the Secret Santa, I was enchanted! In fact, having watched that film, I suddenly found some Christmas spirit and had a good old cry throughout! What a joy to find a sweet, innocent, moving film amongst all the other rubbish and repeats that were on British TV this year.As another reviewer said, its a shame that it will only ever been seen at Christmas time! I'm soooo glad that I haven't recorded over it so that I can watch it again and again! Lets face it, it will never win any awards, will always be dismissed by TV reviewers but will ALWAYS be loved by those of us that discovered it one Christmas and hold it close to our hearts!
fr22 About eight minutes after the opening credits, I identified the Secret Santa to my companions. As the movie progressed my friends began to believe me more and more. Finally, it turned out that I was absolutely correct. How did I figure it out so fast? I have a nasty habit of always reading the credits...carefully.The story - Jennie Garth as a reporter is sent to a town called Hamden to identify a mysterious Christmas benefactor. Along the way she meets the citizens of the town, gets to know them, and ends up liking them. She does find out who the benefactor is at the last minute, which disappoints me because the clues were in front of her face most of the time. Even if she could not see them, she should at least done a better job of listening.Still, it was cute to watch and young ones can learn a great deal from the story's moral.