Finding Santa (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews (24)

So When Is Your Life, Your Life?

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 30 November 2017]

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

SO PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Not exactly a typical Hallmark Christmas Movie. This film has more substance then most of the Hallmark Christmas Films.

In this film is the annual Christmas Parade and Grace is in charge and has to find a new Santa for the parade. Its the 50th anniversary and the towns parade is going to be covered by a live television broadcast. The usual Santa Claus can not do it this year because he just broke his arm.

Grace finds out that one man named Ben would be a great Santa but there is major problems. Ben is the son of the towns Santa but he wants nothing to do with the family business. Grace is trying very hard to get him to play Santa. When she finally meets Ben, Grace learns the hard way that she may not be making her own choices about her own life.

Not exactly a family film but it is a family safe film!

Totally forced

[Jackbv123 · 5/10 · 28 November 2017]

Almost everything in this movie seemed forced, or put differently too much by the formula. The concept itself was a stretch. Who cares who sits in the sleigh in a town parade? Certainly there would be a few reasonable candidates as long as it's not Clint. I think Clint was a combination of an attempt at humor, and justification for needing Ben so badly. Neither of these totally succeeded.

Other things were forced as well. The theme seemed to be Follow Your Heart, which is so well-worn in Christmas stories. It was a little overplayed. I venture that most people have occupations that are not their dream in life, but then the purpose of these movies is to distract us from reality.

Even the climax, just before the ending was forced. I won't say what it was.

Jodie Sweetin was OK. Eric Winter was a little better, but the romance wasn't fireworks worthy. Jay Brazeau was also good as the mentor for aspiring Santas.

Just a totally side comment that applies to almost all of these Christmas movies. The directors just don't seem to understand winter conditions, especially sunlight. It's 5:30 in the morning in Massachusetts and its' broad daylight - no not in late December. People walk around in winter climates with snow on the ground or falling from the sky, but coats wide open and scarves that don't cover anything. People leave their front doors wide open for extended periods during a snowstorm. Anyone who lives there wouldn't do these things. (But then so many of these movies are shot in warm weather and the actors are sweating.)

There were some tender moments, even the ending to a certain extent. There was a great deal of Christmas spirit and a passable romance. If you like the usual fair of Hallmark Christmas, you may enjoy this.

horrible music

[romodomo · 6/10 · 25 December 2020]

The music spoilt everything. It is too loud and irritating,

Finding Your Bliss

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 23 December 2020]

This Hallmark holiday romance features Jodie Sweetin ("Full House") as Grace, the person in charge of a small town's Christmas celebration, including the parade. Everything is on schedule until the town's Santa breaks his arm. Grace auditions many possible replacement Santas, but she deems them "unsuitable." There seems to be only one solid choice to don the whiskers this ho-ho-holiday, but he may be unwilling. What will she do?

Sweetin is adorable in this role. She is cast opposite Eric Winter, who plays Ben-the son of the sidelined Santa. If you are familiar with Winter's character on "The Rookie", this role shows an entirely different personality. The two of them work well together.

Though much of the story is formulaic---including the subplot about finding one's passion--- it is nevertheless a heart-warming seasonal offering.

Cute movie

[tamsmith-83026 · 6/10 · 31 December 2020]

But that's the usual expectation for a Hallmark movie. I decided to watch because of Jodie Sweetin and I like seeing Eric Winter as a romantic lead. He has a charm about him. A bit slow and plot was a bit forced but I can look past it given it's expected.

reasonable

[Kirpianuscus · 27 December 2021]

The presence in cast of Dolores Drake was the basic temptation to see the film. A very easy story, charming unrealistic situations, the Christmas in a small town, , nice demonstration of eggnog make and not bad ugly sweters, the line between duty and happiness and some romance. The beginnig, in which Jodie Sweenie propose a real disagreeable character was one of the good parts of film, film, basically, about a mission and a legacy. But a good looking Eric Winter and a reasonable Santa proposed by Jay Brazeau are good options for see it without be real disappointed . Enough for easy fun after hard work day.

Another perfectly average film

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 9 December 2023]

7.2 stars.

There are a lot of things in 'Finding Santa' that stand out as a bit different, but just that. They are ever so slightly different. The lead actor is not in so many Hallmark films, so he's a nice change. Sweetin does fine, but she's the same in everything. I wish she could change her personality for different parts, but alas most of these child actors seem to have the same problems. They grew up being the same in a TV show that lasted for decades, it's difficult for them to change any quirks, expressions, body language, etc. Take all of her movies and she is literally the same person.

This is a standard Christmas romance across the board. But I have to comment on it only so I can make a note for myself that it's an average film, not to be viewed again for at least another 5 years.

How did this movie manage two hours?

[RenT-83065 · 1/10 · 30 July 2018]

I'm honestly shocked this movie managed to squeeze two hours on this ridiculous plot and complete lack of chemistry? After the town Santa (who really isn't Santa but it's the family business???) breaks his arm Christmas-crazed Jessica makes it her mission to spend the rest of the movie trying to force Santa's son, Ben, to take his place. I agree with another reviewer, all of this plot is based on Ben not being able to give up 2 hours of his life to help out?

I had so many moments in between being completely bored when I was left scratching my head. Like why is Jessica texting Ben's dad the entire drive from Boston and when they arrive he asks if HIS PARENTS know if he's there? He can't call his own parents? Ok. On the unnecessary drive back to Boston (to waste...I mean fill more time) they just happen to need to get out of the storm near Jessica's "friends" house? More questions...this friend doesn't care that they're just crashing in and spending the night? Or that Jessica just helps herself to the kitchen to make eggnog?

Fast forward more boring stuff like Ben forcing Jessica to own up to not really being happy she took over her grandparents/parents year-round Christmas shop. Somehow, these two fall in love, or in like given the lack of chemistry. He ends up playing Santa, although he's 30-ish? No, the glasses don't make him look any older. They kiss, it's boring, the end.

Hallmark do me a favor and pull this out of rotation.

I'd like to find this Santa.

[adamjohns-42575 · 8/10 · 25 November 2020]

This is a cute film. It is borderline silly and unbelievable in places, but the romance is sweet enough to let that pass. It also helps that Eric Winter is very easy on the eye.

It's full of seasonal cheer and one day I will go to one of these fantastically festive little towns in America! I have got to experience these traditions and all the fun they have.

If I'm honest, I'm running out of things to say about made for TV Christmas films. They all follow a pattern and it's generally sweet. This is a prime example of that.

Disappointing

[sharonweil · 3/10 · 18 December 2017]

I LOVE Hallmark movies. Old, new, Christmas, springtime, I love them all. Well, almost. This one was a pretty big disappointment. There were timeline issues, there were plot holes, there was mediocre acting, there was nonsensical dialogue, there was really nothing to the story. There was no spark between the leads. The music was laughable, especially that horrendous candy cane one near the end. Grace is an artist, and at the end of the movie cranks out this huge painting of Santa with some children (in a few hours, as near as I can tell) that is so obviously a photo I was actually cracking up. Then when she's interrupted she proceeds to throw a cloth over the painting she was just working on! The unexpected blizzard/whiteout was barely flurries, and certainly wouldn't have shut down the interstate immediately. One ongoing issue I have with these Christmas movies is their lack of realism regarding the weather and when it's daylight or dark out. The Christmas movies generally take place in colder climates, and yet people wander around without coats, gloves, hats, etc. for long periods of time, totally unaffected, even when it's snowing. I live in a colder climate, and I'm here to tell you, that's just not realistic. (And considering how many of Hallmark's hunky heroes hail from Canada, I would think someone would have been able to clue in the sun-worshipping southerners on what it's like to deal with winter weather.) I could go on, but what's the point?

The "reviewers " were the worst

[dolbyshirley · 10/10 · 5 December 2018]

The movie was great ,very entertaining and enjoyable, so Santa wasn't an old man ,so what . And about I95 interstate or whatever ,I live in Pennsylvania, i have no idea of the route numbers . Is Shakespeare perfect ? Try watching Romeo and Juliet or As You Like IT . I'm 83 did Shakespeare on the stage . Get a grip . I could watch again and again

The Christmas Dilemma That Wasn't

[mrlanceb · 3/10 · 25 November 2017]

This film follows a typical Hallmark movie plot, which is "The Big Christmas Event Is In Jeopardy." There is a sub-plot of "Let's See If Two Strangers In A Fix Fall In Love."

Jodie Sweetin plays Grace, who lives happily in a small town running her deceased parents' year-round Christmas store. Grace also organizes the annual Christmas Parade, which has become so good that a big city TV show wants to televise it this year. The Santa who always heads the parade makes Santa his family business, and plays the perfect St. Nick.

Unfortunately, a mishap occurs and Original Santa is suddenly out of commission. A local casting call for a replacement fails miserably. The TV spot is on the line, as well as the town's economic resurgence everyone was hoping for.

Original Santa reveals that his son, Ben, is trained in the family Santa business and perhaps might fill in. Ben, however, is now a freelance writer in not-so-far Boston. He flatly turns down the request. Somehow the family business is a bit of bitter baggage for Ben, who prefers to be a reindeer's behind instead of letting a one- time Santa gig interfere with his independence.

Unfortunately the movie drags viewers through Grace's Herculean efforts to bring Ben back to his hometown and convince him to take two hours out of his busy schedule to save the day. Ben and Grace seem to hit it off as the big Santa-less event approaches. Ben is a young super- looks guy who has no resemblance to a traditional Santa, so, again, why all the effort to recruit him for TV? There is a scene where he demonstrates his Santa-like persona to some children; somehow that is supposed to reinforce why Grace wants him to be The Big Red One. It falls short. After all, the job consists only of waving at fans for one parade. As it becomes apparent to anyone not in the movie that there is absolutely no logical reason for Ben's continued refusal, it becomes a lesson in not letting civic charity get in the way of your selfish aspirations. Ben even tries to convince Grace that she must be unhappy carrying on her family legacy, and should bust out of the joint.

If you want to sit through this to see how it all plays out, be my guest. Jodie is an excellent actress. The movie is beautifully filmed. The music is better then the typical annoying cues in many Hallmark movies that lamely attempt to supplement strained humor. Accordingly, I gave it three stars instead of none. Be forewarned, though; this is about as dumb as plot conflicts get.

Abuse

[cdkf · 2/10 · 4 November 2018]

Ben was abused by his parents his whole childhood as they tried to make him the ultimate Santa. He wanted to have his owne LIFE! But when Grace needed a new Santa she did not care about his abuse she only cared for her Legacy. Ben deserves a better ending and life, he got PTSD flawbacks every-time he saw something Santa related. His stock-home syndrome came back when he saw children "in need" and "needed" to be Santa. When he is wearing the Santa suit he's not allowed to break out of character 🎅🏻 his father even says that he was too hard on him. Grace was always using him, Ben's parents abused him and were insane. There was a hell of a lot more wrong with this movie but I thought this was the most important. RIP Ben's sanity and life. 🎄

Loved it. It was super funny.

[slpeters-93106 · 10/10 · 3 December 2019]

A lot of the other Hallmark movies are very soppy and sweet this one is funny and I related to Jodi's character.

Replacing charm with dullness

[TheLittleSongbird · 2/10 · 2 January 2020]

There are many classic Christmas films/specials out there, though won't name them to be fair to 'Finding Santa'. There are also some really bad and worse ones, have seen a fair share of festive films that fit that distinction recently alone. None of Hallmark's Christmas films fit my definition of classic, but that is in no way saying that all of them are bad. Actually think a sizeable amount of them are watchable and even surprisingly good.

'Finding Santa' is not one of those watchable or surprisingly good Hallmark festive films. It's not one of the worst and there are certainly worse films out there in general. The worst of 'Finding Santa's' many flaws (almost everything being bad in my view) are truly painful, at the same time it wasn't quite one of those films that was offensive to me. Just to say it takes a lot for me to be offended by a film, despite oddly enough being more sensitive in real life.

It's not all awful. The soundtrack is appealing and captures the festive flavour quite well. The scenery is also quite nice.

Complemented by nice photography in parts, regardless of any questions over authenticity.

Everything else however fails spectacularly. Didn't find myself connecting to or even remotely interested in the severely underdeveloped characters or any of the chemistry between the actors, which is ill at ease and complete blank throughout all round. Especially in the case of the two leads (best summed up as non-existent), never got the sense that they were in love or even liked each other and the two actors look miserable the entire time. The supporting cast struggle to do anything with what they are given which is in all fairness incredibly weak and would be beneath most people.

Would have forgiven 'Finding Santa' not having a single original thought if the story was compelling regardless of that. Something that the story is the complete opposite of, the pace has absolutely no life whatsoever and the content just wasn't enough for feature film, so thin it was that it would barely have been enough for a 30 minute length. It is also completely charmless and completely lacks warmth and heart, the personality-deprived characters, leaden pace, thin storytelling and lack of emotion makes for a cold experience where no soul is in sight. The direction is barely decipherable, the script is so overripe and mawkish as well as over-serious and the editing can be sloppy.

All in all, very bad. 2/10

Loved it!

[jeepgirl22 · 10/10 · 4 November 2018]

This movie is just fun! I really like the chemistry between Jodie Sweetin and Eric Winter - they're bantering back and forth in the Jeep is really fun to watch. Sweetin has a sweet exuberance that shines through and I enjoyed watching Winter in a fun role instead of all seriousness. No, this movie isn't an award winner, but did someone expect it to be? It's just a light-hearted, sweet movie where even the drama is low-key. And who wouldn't enjoy that in this stressful, anxiety-driven world we live in today? This movie does what it's supposed to do much than many of the Hallmark Christmas movies I've seen. This is one I can watch every Christmas!

ew

[bmunoz-35090 · 3/10 · 28 November 2017]

Dialogue and overall plot lacked complexity. Very little character development from start to finish was made. Unrealistic. Poor development in all. I think it lacked plot. Immature sentences and not great acting. I didn't like this movie at all and don't recommend. Like no thanks

Santa's Slowly Sliding out of Style

[PossibleOptimism · 2/10 · 29 January 2018]

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, something many men probably can relate to as their girlfriends or wives consume the coziest holiday movies. This one wasn't too bad, for a Hallmark. Brace yourself for recycled story-lines, Christmasy cliches, and a whole lot of fake snow. The basis of this story centers around Santa (who's not the real Santa but does sport the rotundness) who breaks his arm and gets the Christmas crazy blonde to convince his son (definitely not real Santa) to replace him in the parade. But there are a few bumps along that road all leading up to a sweet conclusion---that everyone knew was coming. Hallmark happy endings and all that. Hey, Hallmark, here's an idea: next time try for something a little less trite? One of my biggest problems is the lack of creativity in these story-lines. Is anyone considering that Santa is an old tradition which may have a shelf life? I think there is opportunity here to dive into a deeper story around the cheery old man in the fading suit. Before he turns into a diabetic cookie monster... So if Santa's role can be filled by younger men, what's left for all the old guys to do who have dodged the razor for so long (in order to support festive facial hair)? It may or may not be a serious question.

Nice Jeep

[zyxnix · 10/10 · 16 December 2017]

Jodie Sweetin has a great personality that I found to be charming. But, I hate it when the leading man is better looking than the fraulein. Most of the time, Jody has stringy unwashed hair. Come on. The story was kind of dopey, but hey, it's a Christmas movie. Lighten' up. Not much sexiness, except for her tight sweaters, which basically carry the movie.

Less then expected

[dontakeitpersonal · 5/10 · 22 December 2020]

I didn't really feel the chemistry between the actors. Also the storyline had some glitches for me, such as the whole "i want too décide my own life", the parents never really spoke nor pushed him. There was no back ground on the characters to better understand them, so I felt it a bit harder to engage with them.

Strange Christmas messaging

[deliabattie · 3/10 · 19 October 2020]

Hallmark made a Christmas film with the ultimate message of 'be more selfish', doesn't seem that festive.

Worst Christmas movie ever!!

[lesliejoyusko · 1/10 · 30 December 2019]

I have watched every Hallmark Christmas movie, and even the ones that are "less than desirable" and I can always find some redeeming quality in them but NOT THIS ONE!!! The leads are horrible, there is absolutely no chemistry between them, Jodi Sweetin walks around like everything she does is such a chore or bother to her, the guy she's badgering to play Santa is young and is as miserable as she is!! Maybe the movie would have been better with other actors playing the lead parts because these two are just too painful to watch

boring

[vriddheeg · 5/10 · 25 November 2017]

cChristmas is all about tradition and Finding Santa starts with Family businesses and tradition. I had missed the presence of Santa in hallmark movies this year, and Finding Santa fills that hole. The store in the movie is a delight. It's amazing.

What's that?

[jmbegin-12905 · 1/10 · 25 November 2023]

We all know the storylines of those movies. A pretty girl single of course usually meets a nice man but widow with a children, they get along, have fun, near the end of the movie had a fight and finally at the end of the picture, they kiss and live happy forever!!!

Elvis Presley did 31 movies and most of them were about that same pattern but without the christmas time. Christmas movies by the ton didn't exist in the 60's...

What we have here?! The girl, the man, no widow, no child of his own. Ok, a little different. What is the plot about then??? It's about a man who REFUSES to play Santa Claus for just one evening??

What's that??? Who will refuse to play Santa and replace his father for a couple of hours??? NOBODY!!! The movie is ALL about that!

One star because of the always lovely Jodie Sweetin and zero star for the carachter of the man who is mean, selfish, unfriendly, etc.

Time to stop making 100 christmas movies like that every year and returning to the good ones like Christmas Vacations or Home Alone...