HavingJack Blackand Ben Stiller in a comedy feels just like old times. While the latter makes only a brief appearance, it’s nice thatDear Santafeels so carefree and fun with its humor. It’s been a while since a film aimed at younger audiences had me chuckling along as well, butDear Santamanages to do that. Whether it’s because of the charming cast — Robert Timothy Smith is delightful as Liam Turner — or the outlandish plot, the holiday film is fully aware of what it’s going for and infuses the storyline with plenty of heart alongside its humor.
Dear Santa
Cast
Due to a mix-up, young Liam, a dyslexic 6th grader, sends a letter to Satan instead of Santa, leading Satan to appear at his door, delighted by his first-ever fan letter and interested in acquiring a portion of Liam’s soul.
Directed by Bobby Farrelly,Dear Santafollows Liam, a kid who’s just moved to a new place and whose parents (Brianne Howey and Hayes MacArthur) believe is friendless. To convince his constantly arguing parents he’s fine and to bring them some joy following a family tragedy, Liam sends a letter to Santa. However, Liam is dyslexic and writes to Satan instead, delighting Black’s character, who tries to persuade Liam to make three wishes in exchange for his soul. Shenanigans ensue, turningthe Paramount+ movieinto a farcical holiday journey with enough of a fun central dynamic to be enjoyable.
Dear Santa’s Humor Is Fun For The Whole Family
One of the best things about the film is its humor, which caters to both adult and younger audiences. Black gets in a few adult jokes that are clean enough to be understood without being considered raunchy. The actor is clearly having a fabulous time in the role of Satan and imbues a charm and a sense of fun and energy into his performance. I’ve found it’s typically difficult for kid actors to have good comedic timing but that’s not the case here. Smith is sweet as Liam and he nails the unintentional humor of his character and the situation.
…Dear Santais one of the season’s stronger holiday offerings. It’s family fun with a side of authentic warmth and comedy.
At the same time, the young actor is able to balance the more serious elements of Liam’s story quite well. He and Black make for a great onscreen pairing, with Smith being able to keep up with Black, matching his energy and enthusiasm for the material. I wasn’t expecting to be quite so charmed by them in a film like this, but they manage to make even the weaker elements of theChristmas moviework. To that end,Dear Santais one of the season’s stronger holiday offerings. It’s family fun with a side of authentic warmth and comedy.
Jaden Carson Baker and Kai Cech, who play Liam’s best friend and school crush, respectively, give complementary performances to Smith’s. One of the film’s strengths is that it lets the kid actors be more central to the story than any the adults.
With streamers full of holiday rom-coms and family-focused stories,Dear Santais a nice blend of comedy and heartfelt relationships that don’t feel as contrived as some of its counterparts. Nothing is too over-the-top or overly saccharine. The film relies on situational humor and it works for the most part, boisterous without being obnoxious — something that a lot of holiday movies actually struggle with. Even the film’s pacing is good, with the script by Ricky Blitt and Peter Farrelly taking the time to set up Liam’s story and struggles before Black’s character enters the picture.
Dear Santa’s Supporting Cast Is Excellent
They Provide Laughs Without Overshadowing The Story
Keegan-Michael Key and Ben Stiller lend their brand of humor but they’re not overused to risk taking over the story. Stiller’s moment with Black near the end of the film lasts long enough to be enjoyable without taking away from Black’s character relationship with Liam. Key as Liam’s doctor, brought in by his concerned parents, brings a good dose of vibrancy to the narrative and elevates the ridiculousness of the story as seen through Liam’s parents’ eyes. The film is still very much Black and Smith’s but it’s great to see Key and Stiller in crucial side roles.
So long as you don’t expect too much, you’ll find the film to be pretty entertaining. I didn’t have high expectations going in and was surprised by the humor. It doesn’t ask too much from us, but the story, which tries to do too much on occasion, isn’t trying to force its cheer on us, which is appreciated. Compared to other holiday films, it’s a bit more imaginative and the effort doesn’t go unnoticed. For a film aimed at younger audiences, it has enough for adults to stay watching, if only to see how things shake out.
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The animation is still strong and the character beats are affecting, but the villain and his motivations stand in the film’s way of true greatness.
Crucially,Dear Santaknows what it’s trying to be and even bits with Post Malone, who hilariously tells concertgoers that Liam as his inspiration, last just long enough to be comical and silly without becoming overbearing. The film isn’t perfect by any means. Some of the gravitas involving Liam’s brother’s death the year before isn’t given enough room to breathe before the ending undermines its emotional power entirely. Still, for a harmless bit of holiday fun,Dear Santadelivers a good bit of joy during a holiday season that’s overflowing with overly cheesy and occasionally heartless options elsewhere.
Dear Santais now available to stream on Paramount+. The film is 107 minutes long and rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive material.
