All I Want for Christmas (1991) User Reviews (30)

Parent Trap at Christmas...cute, predictable but fun and entertaining

[Robert_duder · 7/10 · 18 January 2015]

I think I'm beginning to realize that its very easy to have exactly the right expectations when going into a Christmas film. You can read a synopsis or even a title in some cases and you should know exactly what it will be. All I Want For Christmas is one of those films. Its not amazing, its not terrible, its a cute, fun, family friendly movie about two kids trying to get their parents back together. Its similar to Parent Trap (though not as good) and set at Christmas to give it some ambiance. The cast is good, the story is good, the direction is good...everything is good. Someone looking for something unique or extremely emotional won't find it here. This is mildly predictable and obvious and you know how it will turn out and it doesn't try to extend itself outside of the box.

Ethan Embry and Thora Birch are insatiably adorable as the O'Fallon siblings who want nothing more than their beloved parents to be back together again. Both have decent charisma on screen and they are really good together. They are definitely believable as mildly trouble makers with a plan. Harley Jane Kozak and Jamey Sheridan are their parents and they are also good in their roles. They suit the roles, they're believable and entertaining without being anywhere near mind blowing. The film even features a couple of legends in small supporting roles, Lauren Bacall and Andrea Martin.

The best way to describe this film is a cute made for TV type film. I actually think it probably had a theatrical release but it has more of that feel to it. It definitely has a certain nostalgic feel to it for a lot of 80's kids and they love it for that reason and there is nothing wrong with that but if you're going into it now as an adult for the first time, you'll find it mildly entertaining but mostly forgettable. If you look at director Robert Lieberman you'll see a long history of Television specials which definitely plays into the feel of the film. He is all over the board for genre but if he plays everything simple enough he could spread himself over various genres. I feel like I've trashed this movie throughout this review but that isn't my intention. Its just very simple and very cute but not much more. It was still fun to watch. 7/10

A family Christmas movie with emphasis on family

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 13 December 2020]

"All I Want for Christmas" is a good modern Christmas movie. Film critic Michael Medved described it best as, "The satisfying family picture that we've all been waiting for." That was alluding to the plethora of Christmas films that are made every year for the holiday season. So many are syrupy, silly or assembly line melodramas. While the plot for this film is predictable, that doesn't mean it isn't or can't be very good. Most comedy romances are predictable, and there have been many very good films in that genre, especially in the mid-20th century. It's the details of a plot, the quality of the screenplay, and the performers that make the difference. And, those are all good in this movie.

This film might also be considered something of a comedy romance, but the focus here is on two children and their efforts to get their divorced parents back together. The final plot on Christmas eve is a lot of fun. The settings are good, and the performances are quite good.

Lauren Bacall plays the grandmother, Lillian Brooks. Harley Jane Kozak and Jamey Sheridan play the divorced parents, Catherine and Michael O'Fallon. Some other roles are fine, including Leslie Nielsen as the store Santa Claus. But the best of the roles are Ethan Embry as young teenager Ethan O'Fallon, and Thora Birch as the nine-year-old Hallie O'Fallon. She is especially good and very adorable as an intelligent and cute third grader.

This is a good Christmas season movie that the whole family should enjoy - even well into the 21st century.

Here's my favorite exchange of lines.

Hallie O'Fallon, "Hi! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah!" Mr. Chase, "Hallie, darling, happy holidays." Hallie, "Teacher says you should always say both things in New York because people are really sensitive."

heart in the right place

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 4 December 2016]

Ethan (Ethan Randall) and Hallie O'Fallon (Thora Birch) live with their divorced mother Catherine (Harley Jane Kozak) and grandmother Lillian (Lauren Bacall) in their upper class New York townhouse. Their father Michael (Jamey Sheridan) opens a diner based on a place important to his relationship with Catherine. Ethan is infatuated with Stephanie from Boston. Hallie asks the store Santa (Leslie Nielsen) to have her parents get married again. Then she overhears her mother agreeing to marry her boyfriend Tony Boer (Kevin Nealon). She realizes that she failed to ask to have her parents marry each other.

The kids are adorable. They're laying a parent trap. The divorced parents' chemistry is obvious and unflinching. Nealon is not necessarily a jerk but kind of a jerk-lite. This is cute but not actually funny. The movie has its heart in the right place but this is not really classic.

Adorable Christmas movie

[Sarah-Embry · 13 January 2003]

I think this is a great movie. Perfect for families to watch on christmas eve together. Ethan Embry(credited as Ethan Randall) gave a stunning performance for a 12-13 year old, in only his second starring role. Flawless New York accent. Thora Birch was of course perfect for the role of Hallie, and seeing Leslie Nielson as Santa was cool. Kevin Nealon deserves some credit for his role, that man always amuses me.

Although the movie is quite typical for a family christmas film, I like it better than most.

8.5/10 stars.

a action plan wish list to save a family Xmas

[lark40 · 6/10 · 19 February 2016]

how far would you go to make a wish come true in this Xmas movie this fun family film with legend Lauren Bacall this satisfying family film is worth watching again and again if teen aged Ethan and his young sister put every present on their wish list for Xmas it would still would not make them happy they want the ultimate miracle to everything in their power to get their parents in the same room talking and away from their mothers new boyfriend they do everything possible from hatching a plan this film has lots of jokes humour and load of sparkle and snow .Ethan Randall and thora birch and a sympathetic grandmother who helps the kids with ideas of small vermin a pregnant women Ben and Jerrie's and of course Santa played by Leslie nelson so with a ho ho ho and away we go you are in for a special magic surprise at 1hr32mins you will love this 25 year old film which hasn't aged at all

As fun as being trampled by Santa's reindeer.

[BrettErikJohnson · 1/10 · 21 August 2003]

"All I Want For Christmas" was uniformly trashed by critics when it came out. It was easily one of the worst reviewed films of 1991. Why oh why didn't I listen to them?

The plot is so generic that you know how it's going to end within the first ten minutes. Two parents are no longer together. The mother has found a new boyfriend. The kids do what they can to ditch the new boyfriend and get the parents back together. With that stale of a plot, the only way it could've worked out would have been if the acting was filled with passion and the direction evoked as much Christmas magic as possible. That didn't happen.

There is not a single heartfelt moment to be found in this film. Not one. I don't even know where to begin. Thora Birch has turned out to be an impressive actress. However, she is only grating and precocious to the extreme in "All I Want For Christmas". Her brother, played by Ethan Embry, had no character definition whatsoever. His substory involving a teenage romance was underdeveloped and seemed better suited for another film.

The adult characters are just as bad. The filmmakers could've saved money by utilizing cardboard cutouts instead of actual actors. The Mom, Dad, and Mom's new "jerk" boyfriend are shallower than a kiddie pool.

I was even put off by the shameless plugging of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. It's a sad fact that product placement has been commonplace for a long time now but...come on! Don't they understand that if the product is shoved in your face that it only serves as an unpleasant distraction? At least their Coca-Cola placement was slightly less obvious.

Even Santa would only give this movie to the naughty kids. 1/10

Not As Bad As...

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 2 December 2017]

A brother (Ethan Embry) and sister (Thora Birch) attempt to bring their divorced parents back together for Christmas.

Apparently this film did poorly at the box office and critics hated it, too. I can understand that, as it is sort of a lame version of "The Parent Trap", except less quirky and the kids try much less seriously. Really, this one had me wondering why the parents broke up in the first place. (Presumably if it was worth divorcing over, they probably should not get re-married).

What makes this average film worth watching is the kids. Ethan Embry is decent and it is no surprise he has gone on to a remarkable career. Thora Birch is fantastic. Just amazing. Exactly what happened to her, I do not know. After "Ghost World" she seems to have faded away.

Lifetime TV movies don't belong on the big screen.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 25 December 2019]

Harley Jane Kozak had a great career in the late 1980's and early 1990's after success on the daytime soaps "Texas", "Guiding Light" and especially "Santa Barbara", but being crushed to death by the Capwell Hotel "C" was a metaphor for this tepid Christmas movie that followed audience favorites like "Parenthood" and "Arachnophobia" with an unbelievable and generally unlikable family comedy where she is one of the few decent things in it. Make it her and the legendary Lauren Bacall, and maybe a nice New York City atmosphere that captures some of the magic of the city where a White Christmas wasn't always guaranteed. It's too bad that there isn't a better script or likable characters, with Jamey Sheridan bland as her ex-husband, Kevin Nealon obnoxious as her new boyfriend, and Ethan Embry and Thora Birsch as the children utilizing rather absurd methods to try and get their parents back together.

The film has a colorful, festive look, but you can't just have a look. You have to have a story that won't make the audience cringe, which apparently they did in 1991 along with the critics. Bacall is gracious, funny with her subtle asides about how much she can't stand Nealon's phoniness and pretty much motivates the kids to reconcile their parents. She looks great and plays a very understanding character, even garnering audience affection for still loving her former son-law. Poor Andrea Martin is completely wasted as the pregnant Russian employee, but she serves absolutely no purpose.

Then there's Renee Taylor in a cameo as a wedding planner who is oblivious to the white mice whom the kids have let loose in an attempt to freak the mice phobic Nealon out, a truly idiotic scene. The kids do other sorts of seemingly illegal things to get rid of him, and they just aren't funny. Another plotline involves Embry's crush on a classmate which ultimately has her spending Christmas Eve in a local diner with him and Birsch, creating concern for Kozak and Sheridan over a sleepless night that is seemingly manipulated to reconcile them.

Embry's character gets several moments that do not ring true for a teenage boy, being sentimental as he looks at a badly made video of past family Christmas's. Birsch's character is completely cloying from beginning to end, grating in her pretentious Christmas suit as she walks down the street all determined to break up her mother and her boyfriend. Leslie Nielsen is cast as Santa Claus in a basically pointless subplot. Any sense of sentiment is additionally destroyed by a sappy theme song that has to be one of the worst movie songs of the 1990's. A sad holiday fiasco that now on TV is an instant channel changer.

A Cute Little Christmas Story

[Darkest_Rose · 8/10 · 20 December 2002]

All I want For Christmas is about two kids that are very upset by their parents divorce and the only thing they want for christmas is for them to get back again and be a happy family. It's a cute nice little story, but this stuff never happens in real life. Divorced Parents hardly ever get back together, it's an ugly reality, but that's why we have movies such as these to make us feel happy. Thora Birch gives a great performance, cute little thora. I would give All I Want For Christmas 8/10

This is Santa Claus, not Dear Abby.

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 6 December 2007]

How can you watch a movie with Thora Birch and not just want to eat her up for being so cute. I am not referring to the lovely Thora in American Beauty, but the really cute one in this film.

She just wants Santa to get her parents back together. Her brother Ethan (Ethan Embry) doesn't believe in Santa, so he tries to help make his sister's wish come true with the help of the lovely Amy Oberer.

Now, I don't know what mom (Harley Jane Kozak) sees in Kevin Nealon, when her ex is Jamey Sheridan (Syriana, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"), so he must have screwed up big time.

Anyway, Ethan comes through and all is well. Or, was it Santa (Leslie Nielsen)?

No

[BandSAboutMovies · 2/10 · 19 December 2023]

Ethan (Ethan Randall who would grow up to be Ethan Embry) and Hallie O'Fallon (Thora Birch) want their parents Catherine (Harley Jane Kozak) and Michael (Jamey Sheridan) to get back together. Ethan has a plan, Hallie has Santa Claus (Leslie Nielsen). To keep mom from marrying Tony Boer (Kevin Nealon), it will take mice, an ice cream truck and help from Stephanie (Amy Oberer).

With appearances by Lauren Bacall and Andrea Martin, this was directed by Robert Lieberman (Fire In the Sky) and written by Thom Eberhardt (Sole Survivor, Night of the Comet and the original director for this movie) and Richard Kramer, who has mostly worked in TV.

This feels like The Parent Trap. Maybe the parents aren't right for each other, you know?

Roger Ebert really disliked this movie, saying "All I want for Christmas is to never see All I Want for Christmas again. Here is a calculating holiday fable that is phony to its very bones - artificial, contrived, illogical, manipulative and stupid. It's one of those movies that insults your intelligence by assuming you have no memory, no common sense and no knowledge of how people behave when they are not in the grip of an idiotic screenplay."

Leslie Neilsen was Santa in more movies than I knew. In addition to this movie, he was Santa in Chilly Beach and Santa Who?

I love this film

[Mr. Pete · 10/10 · 20 August 1999]

This film carried me through my parents separation when i was Twelve years old. I was left in a total state of shock which imprisoned me in my bedroom for several weeks with the only comfort being the television, VCR and a copy of all i want for christmas.

I can't honestly say what it is I like about this film, it could be one thing or a million things.....it is completely mesmorising. From the bad acting to the in-film songs......this film is a classic.

Having seen the film now around 200 times I know the complete script off by heart and can pre-empt every forthcoming scene with childish glee.

Opening scene

"From the top" "God bless thee......"

I am not mental

everyone hated, somehow I loved...

[mcfly-31 · 6/10 · 30 December 2001]

One of the few films where I first say that chances you'll like it are slim. It's childish, poorly acted in spots, completely unbelievable. But also extremely harmless and a rare Christmas adventure. Randall and Birch's parents got divorced earlier in the year. They aren't quite prepared for their first Christmas as a broken family. Little Birch (who's adorable) asks Santa to get them back together, but Randall knows better that it's pretty much left up to him. That's probably the element I enjoyed most about the film, as the older brother wanting to grant his little sisters Christmas wish. So, they hatch one of those totally implausible schemes to get their folks back, where everything falls perfectly into place and could only succeed in movie land. But, again, I was into it (and a nice bonus is that the film is wonderfully edited). Though I could've done without the obligatory moment where Santa flies thru the air and really does exist. Such a worn out scene that should've been dropped. But, maybe it was the atmosphere of the snow and seasonal setting, and innocence of the characters that had me compelled. Randall is an absolutely terrible young actor, but when with Birch, the two have a terrific chemistry as bro and sis. Which baffles me, as Randall had already done a film earlier in the year ("Dutch", with Ed O' Neill) and though he wasn't awesome, he was at least decent. Here he constantly repeats himself, rambles a lot and is always adding a nervous giggle. Made him hard to watch at times. Same with Oberer as his crush. She tends to talk with a smile and shortness of breath. Birch comes off best as the spunky 7-year-old. Bacall is barely glimpsed, with Sheridan and Kozak good as the folks. The ending loses points as well, with Randall's endless speech about wanting to be a family again. Then the expected return of Kozak's cliche, tight-ass boyfriend so he can berate her kids and make her realize he aint the one. But I loved Randall's last line of "Thank you, Santa!" after being kissed on the neck by Oberer. So if you need one for the kids or maybe a viewing by the whole family, give this a shot. Surprised by the G-rating, though. Talk of divorce, one sort of swear (the word "sucks") and a big painting of a naked woman with huge knockas (and, yes, its complete with her "flower" exposed as well).

All I Want for Christmas

[studioAT · 2/10 · 20 December 2022]

For me Ethan Embry had already made one classic Christmas film prior to this in the form of the Ed O'Neil/John Hughes vehicle 'Dutch' (known elsewhere as 'Drive Me Crazy') and that is the far superior film to this one.

It just didn't grab me I'm afraid. I know for some it's a classic film, one they rush to re-watch every Christmas, but for me it was just all a bit slow, none of the characters really engaged me, and I could see the hands of time ticking on.

It's well-intentioned, it's likeable enough, but I can't say it would be a film I'd be overly keen to watch again.

I do highly recommend Embry's other effort though.

Good family entertainment

[Monika-5 · 10 October 2000]

I saw this years ago at the theater at Christmastime. I haven't seen it since, but I remember it made me feel warm and happy. Leslie Nielson and Lauren Bacall as Santa and Grandma were both wonderful. Thora Birch's first major role was in this movie. She played the cute as a button little sister and was absolutely charming. Too bad my most vivid memory of her these days is seeing her topless in American Beauty. But that's another story. Good holiday fun!

Pretty Good Holiday Flick!

[gwnightscream · 6/10 · 23 December 2017]

This 1991 comedy stars Harley Jane Zozak, Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Embry, Thora Birch, Lauren Bacall, Kevin Nealon and Leslie Nielsen. This tells about 2 siblings, Ethan (Embry) and Hallie (Birch) who try getting their divorced parents, Mike (Sheridan) and Catherine (Kozak) back together for Christmas. Nealon plays Catherine's obnoxious fiancée, Tony and the late, Nielsen (The Naked Gun) plays Santa Claus whom Hallie tells her wish to and Bacall (Misery) plays Catherine's mom, Lillian. This is a pretty good flick with a decent cast I recommend.

Cool poster, movie sucks though.

[Mr_Sophistication_Uk · 3/10 · 23 December 2023]

Two spoiled brats try getting their parents back together a year after after divorce, in this wholly intolerable and unnecessary holiday concoction.

These obnoxious rich kids are so hateful and mean to their Mum's new boyfriend, that I found myself strongly rooting for him. Was I the only one who felt this way? I certainly hope not.

Not after the scene where they lock him in an ice cream truck for hours while taunting him as it drives off, anyway. Who approves this sadistic stuff and thinks it paints the poor chap as 'the bad guy'? No-one I have much in common with, that's for sure.

Then we're meant to cheer later as he's told to 'get out' by the mother for 'demanding the kids show him some respect'? Sounds like the bare minimum punishment, to me.

I'd be recommending military boot camp for the teenage boy and six month's grounding for the little girl myself, but what do I know?

In the end, I'm glad their parents did reunite, as they're as boring and bland as their children are annoying. They all deserve each other, all living as one awful unit in a perpetual state of dislikability.

Is that an actual word? If not, then it should be. And we can credit this movie with it's invention. Well done, movie. WEll done, indeed. 3/10.

The Vidiot Reviews...

[capone666 · 6/10 · 8 December 2016]

All I Want for Christmas

The best present that divorced parents can give their children is remarrying millionaires.

Mind you, the siblings in this comedy would prefer their parents remarry each other.

Products of the 1990s separation boom, Manhattanites Ethan (Ethan Randall) and his sister Hallie (Thora Birch) only have one wish this Christmas: to trick their mother (Harley Jane Kozak) into falling back in love with their father (Jamey Sheridan).

But in order to implement a plan that will get rid of their mom's new boyfriend (Kevin Nealon), they need the assistance of their grandmother (Lauren Bacall), Ethan's crush (Amy Oberer) and Santa (Leslie Nielsen).

While the surprisingly funny script ventures into familiar reconciliation territory, this seasonal take on the subject is greatly benefited by its snappy dialogue and resplendent setting – even if it does set unrealistic expectations.

Moreover, if you want to really reunite your separated parents over the holidays just fake cancer.

Yellow Light

vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

More like this please?

[adamjohns-42575 · 8/10 · 25 February 2021]

There is something about the older Made For TV Christmas Films that were just so much more charming and sweet. Before the "Formula" and Hallmark Channel took over and made them all the same.

This is no exception and I remember watching it when I was much, much younger and having a huge crush on Ethan Embry. Now I have a huge crush on Jamey Sheridan, who plays the Dad, instead.

It doesn't actually have a lot of Christmas elements to it. Yes they visit Santa, but that's about it. However the spirit of the season, love and family are definitely very prominent.

The whole cast play their parts well and the snowy setting of New York, although it has since been overused, is perfect for the shenanigans. It flows well with pace, but without compromise and you really feel you know the characters as you go through their Christmas build up with them.

It's a nice story without that harshness that some of them can have and it even has a little magic.

If I see it on DVD, I'm buying it!

Not a rewatch

[sambson · 7/10 · 19 March 2020]

Nice Christmas film with a great Santa, but who wants to rewatch a divorce story every year?

Sweet and Simple

[jefferies55 · 10/10 · 17 August 2007]

This cheesy little Christmas movie is my favorite of all time. When my children were younger we never missed sitting and watching it together. Now we all own a copy on DVD and it has become our traditional Christmas movie along with the classics. The costumes in this movie, especially Santa's, are gorgeous. The relationships between parents and children, brother and sister, grandmother... are endearing. The performance of Baby It's Cold Outside is a definite highlight. The movie does a good job of giving off the New York feel of Christmas. I hate to admit it, but my children and I so love this movie, that I am Nana to my grandchild because of it.

A good film for all families and broken familys alike

[Neo-21 · 10 July 1999]

This movie is a great movie for all those who have been in a situation that you thought you would have no control of. This movie goes with the whole parent trap idea of getting two parents back together. Through a series of events they attempt to. This movie gives hope to all young children who's parents have split. For those children who's parents haven't it's good family fun.

Thora Birch ( Monkey Trouble, Now and Then) is young in this movie, she's very cute though. Ethan Embry ( Can't Hardly Wait, Empire Records) is also very good in this movie, his performance is fairly powerful for a kids movie, you really understand how much he wants his parents together. Leslie Nielsen plays a good Santa Clause, it's a small part but he plays it well. Lauren Bacall plays a very impressive role, her character is very down to earth and a very likable person. She plays a veteran actress in this movie who knows what's going on around her.

If you haven't seen this movie I suggest renting it. It's worth a rent, you just have to adapt to the fact that it's a movie for younger kids, but it's a movie we can all relate to.

Just enjoy it!

[aileen_lea · 10/10 · 1 June 2018]

I read reviews mentioning parent trap, true, same pattern. But hey, there are certain patterns most movies been built on. Just enjoy the movie and don't be too critical about it. It wa never meant to be an outstanding Oscar movie. It's a cute and lovely movie. Perfect around Christmas time. I love it!

Family fun

[GUMBLOID · 8/10 · 17 November 2006]

I enjoyed this movie the first time around. True there may be some cliché themes, but it is a Christmas movie. So, give it a break. I know the critics hated it. Perhaps they lost sight of what the movie is supposed to be about: asking Santa for the ultimate gift a re-united family.

Now that I am a parent I appreciate this film even more. The daughter who is now 6, loves the film and can immediately identify with the character Hailey, played by Thora Birch. Laruen Bacall reminds me a lot of my own grandmother. Bottom line: if you haven't seen this film yet, watch it with an open mind. Even better, watch it with a child.

um yes

[flaye2000 · 22 December 2003]

I greatly enjoyed this movie...yeah...not many have seen it, but its one of me and my bestfriends favorite movies..i recommend it. Its cheezy, but also such good times...i really dont remember where i first saw this movie. Since mice are one of my favorite animals it made it all the more better.