PartialMovieViewer "One Magic Christmas" is definitely a movie you will either like or hate. I was fortunate enough to watch this when it was first released. I will have to admit - the depressing tone set in the beginning almost chased me out of the theater. Unlike many of the recent film-failures I have successfully abandoned - I stuck this one out to the bitter end, and I am so glad I remained seated. I really enjoyed this movie. In fact, I honestly believe this is one of the last productions worthy of the "Disney" logo (I kid). Granted, the majority of the films plot was appropriated from Capra's, "It's a Wonderful Life," and reformatted it into the 1980's style. Normally, this kind of heavily borrowing would be enough to earn a major thumbs-down. But I let it go. To begin with, I think this is one of the only Mary Steenburgen movies I actually enjoyed. I felt this woman was excellent in her role as "Ginny." Even though she was not the nicest character, you could appreciate what she was going through and the people she was dealing with. The fellow playing her husband, Gary Basarba, delivered a performance I felt was spot-on as well. Now I do remember reading reviews just after the movie hit the screens. Some reviewers busied themselves harping about 'Gideon' possessing some nefarious visual attributes. Sorry, I didn't see it. Harry Dean Stanton performed perfectly. Honestly, the entire cast conveyed an outstanding Christmas story worthy of remembering. All this talent was skillfully orchestrated by a Phillip Bosros who sadly passed away ten years later. I feel his directing skills were very admirable. As far as recommending this movie goes…I do…with a couple of caveats. Before I let a young child see this, I would watch it first. There may be items a child too young may miss. Also, this might not meet the Christmas-movie needs of everyone and I completely understand that. Like I said in the beginning, you will either hate it…or you will thoroughly enjoy it. For me – I could watch this every year.

2karl- award winning actress Mary Steenburgen gives a brilliant performance as Ginnie Granger a young mother who discovers the joy and beauty this Xmas thanks to unshakable faith of her daughter her 6yrs old Abbie and a angel called Gideon played by harry dean Stanton Ginny's very own angel Ginny's wondrous experience will touch others and their hearts the sharing of one could help her life in so many ways in this timeless Disney will fulfill all your treasured memories it will bring Ur belief back and make sure to share your memories with loves one in this 1hr25mins with snow to aroundwith santa in to to help and go around to help define graineys change I give this 7/10

Jessica Salmans Let me begin by saying I love Mary Steenbergen. That being said, when I saw that she was in this, I thought "how bad could it be?"Um, BAD. This is the darkest, weirdest, most uncomfortable movie I've seen in a while and calling it a Christmas movie only works in terms of the fact that it is set during Christmas. There is no joy, magic, or cheer to be found in this...ahem...holiday classic.Three quarters of the way in, we were all baffled and uncomfortable but were too invested to turn it off. I seriously cannot comprehend that there are people who like this movie.Even knowing that this movie was made in 1985, I can't find a logical excuse for any of what I'm watching right now. Yes, I'm currently still watching it, but it is SO BAD that I pulled up IMDb in the midst of viewing to write this warning to others. SKIP IT. OR watch it as a drinking game. But don't think you're getting a joyful Christmas Classic here. You aren't. Noooooo you are not.

Philly88 (Spoilers ahead)........When this movie came out from Disney we went to see it. How could we go wrong? It was from Disney and it had a sweet title. Boy, were we duped!! How on earth did the murder, drownings, depression, and other adult themes pass the ratings board?? Geez.The movie is stark, dark and unrelentingly depressing. Until the surprise ending, which, by the way.....we know nothing about during the movie.Mary Steenbergen is a good actress, but it is her personality to talk slowly and usually look like she's drugged. In this movie it was dwelled on and she's given a highly depressed role to play....she does it to the hilt. She's a mother with lots of problems and she's also contemplating suicide.While watching this movie, I was thinking of every sad event in my life and it had me wanting to do the same......Until we walked into the daylight.I'm so happy we didn't have children at the time.Yes, we always want our kids to know that bad things exist. They see it in the news and hear about it. BUT I won't pay to have my children exposed to adult themes which came posed as a heartwarming" and "Magic Christmas." I'd rather get a root canal.