Review of Miracle on 34th Street (1994) by Wayne K — 25 Dec 2018
A curiously dull and occasionally depressing Christmas flick, Miracle On 34th Street is certainly well meaning, but feels way more like a kid's film than it should. It's not patronising or condescending, but it panders to its target audience while doing little to challenge them.
Richard Attenborough makes for a great Santa: Charming, warm and full of cheer. But the supporting cast, with the possible exception of an underused Mara Wilson, never comes to life or even seem very invested in what they're doing.
There's a romantic subplot that pops up now and then and is never interesting, and there's a pair of baddies who are supposed to be comic relief but are never funny. More than anything the film is just forced and forgettable.
It goes on about 20 minutes too long, and has an ending which exists solely to force as many sentimentalities down our throats as possible. Definitely not a Christmas classic, and not a film I'm keen to revisit when the festive season rolls around again.
This review of Miracle on 34th Street (1994) was written by Wayne K on 25 Dec 2018.
Miracle on 34th Street has generally received positive reviews.
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