Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
Low budget story has valuable messages, lots of stereotypes.
Not present
Videos and photos
What is the story?
Sheriff Rick Langston (Dean Cain) has many reasons to be the Grinch this Christmas: he has a bitter ex-wife and a daughter, Alana (Sophie Bolen), whom he never sees; and hopes to leave this small town where crimes never happen. But when an intruder shows up at his house on Christmas Eve claiming to be Santa Claus, he gets a chance to rethink his attitude and relationships for the better and begins to see the holidays for what they really are.
Is it good?
SMALL TOWN SANTA is a low budget affair and plays on many small town stereotypes to get the job done. Not particularly well acted, though fans Superman maybe he’ll enjoy watching Dean Cain play the sheriff. Young kids may not be quite ready for post-divorce fights or the sleaze of Santa Claus, who spends most of the film working his magic from a jail cell. But overall, there are some positive messages here about sensing small miracles, letting go of anger, and making connections with others that are so hard to achieve the rest of the year, with the added bonus of reinforcing the idea that this is the point of the holiday and that people should value these relationships instead of gifts.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can talk about what the holidays are really about. How does your family celebrate them?
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Santa helps the characters get the relationships they want. If you could have relationships instead of presents for Christmas, what would they be?
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How does the movie portray divorced parents? Do you think this is an accurate depiction or something you only see in the movies? Why?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews, which will be published continuously. You can help us help children