Watch One Magic Christmas

One Magic Christmas is a 1985 Christmas movie directed by Phillip Borsos, starring Mary Steenburgen, Gary Basaraba, and Harry Dean Stanton. The movie is mainly set in Colorado, and it tells the story of a family that's struggling economically and emotionally during the holiday season. At the heart of the story is the mother of the family, Ginny Grainger (Steenburgen). Ginny is disillusioned with the spirit of Christmas, and she hardly hides the fact that she'd rather skip the holidays altogether. Her attitude towards Christmas stems from her family's financial difficulties, which means that they can't afford even the bare necessities. Added to that, her husband Jack (Basaraba) has lost his job, and they're on the verge of losing their house.

Things start to change for Ginny when an angel named Gideon (Stanton) appears to her daughter, Abbie, and takes her on a magical journey to the North Pole. Abbie's adventure with the angel serves as a turning point for Ginny, who starts to see the beauty and magic of Christmas through her daughter's eyes. Gideon accompanies Abbie back home and brings some Christmas cheer along the way.

One Magic Christmas is not a typical Christmas movie. It's a heavy-hearted story that tackles some serious issues like poverty, unemployment, and death. The movie invites viewers to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, which is to care for one another and believe in miracles.

Throughout the film, we see Ginny struggling to provide her family with basic needs like food and shelter, and it's refreshing to see a Christmas movie that takes such a realistic approach to family struggles during the holiday season. Similarly, the film's portrayal of the North Pole is not what you'd expect from a typical Christmas movie, as it's depicted as a run-down place with elves living in poverty.

Despite its heavy themes, One Magic Christmas is ultimately a feel-good story that warms the heart. The movie carries a message of hope and redemption that's much needed during the holiday season. The film's ending is particularly poignant, and it will leave viewers with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the magic of Christmas.

One of the standout performances in the movie is Mary Steenburgen's portrayal of Ginny. Steenburgen delivers a powerful performance, bringing depth and nuance to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional. Gary Basaraba is also fantastic as Jack, and his chemistry with Steenburgen is palpable. Harry Dean Stanton's portrayal of Gideon is memorable, and his role adds a touch of whimsy to the film.

The movie's soundtrack, composed by Michael Conway Baker, is another highlight. The score is emotive and complements the film's emotional tone perfectly. The soundtrack features a mix of orchestral and choral arrangements that enhance the movie's magical elements.

In conclusion, One Magic Christmas is a unique Christmas movie that's well worth watching. The movie's realistic portrayal of family struggles during the holiday season is refreshing, and its message of hope and redemption is inspiring. The film's poignant ending will stay with viewers long after the credits roll, making it a perfect addition to any Christmas movie marathon.

One Magic Christmas is a 1985 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.