Review of Miracle on 34th Street (1994) by Shane V — 24 Dec 2009

Ms. Dorey Walker is heading up a parade for her department store, Cole?s. But when her Santa Claus shows up intoxicated, she finds a kind stranger to replace him. And soon the man, known only as Kris Kringle, becomes famous as the department store Santa Claus. Upon discovering that Dorey and her daughter Susan don?t believe in Santa, Kris sets out to prove that there is a real Santa, and give them something to believe in.

Another of my old favorites. Richard Attenborough gives a wonderful performance as Kris Kringle, and Mara Wilson as young Susan is almost as good. But unfortunately, many of the other performances (and characters) are very flat and monotone. Perhaps it was meant to be a sort of comparison between the jolly St. Nick and the very humdrum corporate types, but it loses more ground than it could gain. There is a very good message in the film, but it seems very? out of the way, I suppose. It?s represented at one point, but is completely forgotten by the next scene. The tension is simply ?okay.? Nothing fantastic, but not completely ineffectual. As I mentioned before, many of the characters are very flat. And though we are told which characters are ?good? and ?evil,? there really is no real change. The main character, Dorey, is so flat and unresponsive throughout the movie that there really seems to be almost no reason to sympathize with her, which is somewhat of an issue in a film like this. As I also stated before, Mara Wilson playing Susan, Dorey?s daughter, gives a charming performance in doing everything her mother?s character doesn?t. But we see so little of her throughout the film, it doesn?t make for a decent substitute. And the ?balance of good and evil? is portrayed so childishly, it?s almost insulting to more mature audiences. And the plot moves very awkwardly as well, and loses much of its focus towards the end. But the film has so much heart behind it, and fabricated into almost every scene. Overall, it?s a very black-and-white movie with two excellent performances (and many poor ones) and a lot of heart and good cheer. Unfortunately the message is drowned out by a convoluted plot and poor direction. The script is fine, but nothing great. At best, it?s a good character movie about Santa Claus. As much as I love this movie, heart and two good actors can only go so far. I must give ?Miracle on 34th Street? (1994) 4.5 golden buttons out of 10.

?I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.? -Kris Kringle.