One Magic Christmas is a heartwarming Christmas movie released in 1985. Directed by Phillip Borsos, the film tells the story of Ginny Grainger, a disillusioned woman who has lost her faith in the magic of Christmas. However, with the help of an angel named Gideon, she is given the chance to rediscover the true meaning of the holiday season. The movie takes place in a small town where Ginny, played by Mary Steenburgen, lives with her husband Jack and their two children, Abbie and Cal. Ginny works as a store clerk and struggles to make ends meet, while Jack is an out-of-work factory worker. Their financial difficulties and the constant stress of their lives have caused Ginny to become bitter and cynical, especially towards Christmas.

One Magic Christmas (film)

One Magic Christmas (film) Her husband and kids try to cheer up a young mother, Ginnie Grainger, who has lost the spirit of Christmas. Gideon, a Christmas angel, appears to help and causes a number of seeming tragedies in the family’s life. He then takes the daughter on a visit to Santa Claus to retrieve a letter the mother had written years before. The letter helps the mother regain her Christmas spirit, and Gideon turns back the clock to negate the tragic events. Released on November 22, 1985. Directed by Phillip Borsos. 89 min. Stars Mary Steenburgen (Ginny Grainger), Harry Dean Stanton (Gideon), Arthur Hill (Caleb Grainger), Elizabeth Harnois (Abbie), Gary Basaraba (Jack), Robbie Magwood (Cal). Walt Disney Pictures agreed to co-finance this film with the participation of Silver Screen Partners II and Telefilm Canada. Filming took place in Toronto. The Christmas spirit prevailed during the early stages of principal photography at a Toronto shopping center when more than 300 extras turned out for a Sunday shoot. At the location, 50 shopkeepers took down their current Valentine’s Day decorations and replaced them with Christmas decor. The shopping center also offered a Santa Claus Village complete with Santa, a 20-piece brass band and an all-girl choir singing Christmas carols. In the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, all the residents in a three-block radius also joined in the true spirit of Christmas and happily bedecked their houses with seasonal decorations for the six days of filming in their area. Throughout the filming, as the production moved to the towns of Owen Sound and Meaford, the inconsistent weather nearly made filming impossible, as the crew faced rain, fog, sleet, blizzard, winds gusting up to 50 mph, mud, 15-foot snow drifts denying access to country locations and, often, zero visibility. Production designer Bill Brodie constructed three major sets: the Grainger house, the grandfather’s home, and Santa’s workshop and cottage, which was filled with real rare toys, insured for $1 million prior to filming, and 20,000 actual letters to Santa from the Toronto main post office. Released on video in 1986.

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  One Magic Christmas

  Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development.

  age 10+

  '80s Christmas movie has depressing, intense scenes.

  Movie G 1985 88 minutes Save Parents Say: age 10+ 3 reviews Any Iffy Content? Read more Talk with Your Kids About… Read more

  Their financial difficulties and the constant stress of their lives have caused Ginny to become bitter and cynical, especially towards Christmas. One day, Gideon, the Christmas angel, decides to intervene in the Grainger family's lives. He appears to Cal and gives him a magic Christmas ornament, telling him that it has the power to grant one wish.

  A Lot or a Little?

  What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  Positive Messages

  In a strange way, the mother of a family learns to

  Positive Role Models

  In spite of a string of bad luck, Jack remains opt

  Violence & Scariness

  A man is shot and killed during a bank robbery. Tw

  Sex, Romance & Nudity Not present Language Not present Products & Purchases

  Coca-Cola cans, Alpha-Bits cereal boxes, and boxes

  Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Not present Parents Need to Know

  Parents need to know that One Magic Christmas, while ultimately a story of the importance of believing in the Christmas spirit, has many scenes that could be difficult for younger and more sensitive viewers. During a bank robbery, a father is shot and killed, and, in a later scene, the mother sits down her…

  Positive Messages

  very little In a strange way, the mother of a family learns to believe in Christmas again.

  Positive Role Models

  very little

  In spite of a string of bad luck, Jack remains optimistic and is still a believer in the Christmas spirit. His wife, Ginny, must learn to believe in the Christmas spirit again for it to return to her family.

  Violence & Scariness

  some

  A man is shot and killed during a bank robbery. Two children are kidnapped in an ensuing car chase that culminates in the vehicle careening off a bridge and into a river.

  Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close

  Products & Purchases

  a little

  Coca-Cola cans, Alpha-Bits cereal boxes, and boxes of various Amway products are shown throughout the movie.

  Parents Need to Know

  Parents need to know that One Magic Christmas, while ultimately a story of the importance of believing in the Christmas spirit, has many scenes that could be difficult for younger and more sensitive viewers. During a bank robbery, a father is shot and killed, and, in a later scene, the mother sits down her two children to explain to them that their father has passed away and will not be coming home. Also, these two children are kidnapped by the bank robber, who takes them on an extended car chase culminating in the vehicle spinning out of control, falling off a bridge, and causing the kids to nearly drown. These intense scenes are intended to make a mother who has lost all faith and love for Christmas believe again. Although it's doubtful that "believe in Christmas again, and nobody gets hurt!" was the intended message of the movie, this is the overall takeaway. Families looking for a cheerier holiday experience should look elsewhere. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

  

  Cal, being a young boy full of wonder, wishes for his father to get a job. However, things take a turn for the worse when two desperate criminals, played by Wayne Robson and Harry Dean Stanton, rob Ginny's workplace. In the process, they take the whole family hostage and force them to drive to another town to commit another robbery. The situation seems hopeless, and Ginny's faith in humanity and Christmas is put to the ultimate test. It is during this dark and dangerous situation that Gideon reveals himself to Ginny and helps her regain her lost faith. With Gideon's guidance and the magic of Christmas, Ginny learns to open her heart and find hope even in the darkest of times. One Magic Christmas is a touching story that reminds us of the importance of love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas. It teaches us that even in our darkest moments, magic can still exist if we believe in it. Through its engaging storyline and heartfelt performances, the movie leaves viewers with a sense of warmth and the desire to spread love and kindness during the holiday season..

  Reviews for "The Evolution of Christmas Movies: How 'One Magic Christmas' Pushed Boundaries"

  1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'One Magic Christmas'. The storyline was dull and predictable, and the acting was subpar. The movie tried to be a heartwarming family film, but it fell short. I found the characters to be unsympathetic and unrelatable, and I couldn't connect with the emotions they were supposed to portray. Overall, it was a forgettable and uninspiring holiday film."

  2. Samantha - 1/5 stars - "I cannot express how much I disliked 'One Magic Christmas'. The plot was incredibly contrived and lacked any originality. The acting was wooden and uninspired, making it difficult to invest in the characters and their struggles. The movie failed to deliver any true holiday magic or joy, leaving me more frustrated than entertained. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this film unless you enjoy being bored and disappointed."

  3. Emily - 2.5/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'One Magic Christmas', but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The storyline felt disjointed and rushed, jumping from one clichéd holiday trope to another. The acting was decent, but it couldn't salvage the weak script. The film lacked any real depth or emotional resonance, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. While it had a few touching moments, overall, I found it to be an underwhelming Christmas movie."

  Finding Joy in Unexpected Places: Lessons from 'One Magic Christmas