All I Want for Christmas (film)
A sibling scheme to reunite their divorced parents at Christmas.
All I Want for Christmas is a 1991 American romantic comedy Christmas film directed by Robert Lieberman. The screenplay was written by Thom Eberhardt and Richard Kramer, with a score by Bruce Broughton. The film stars Harley Jane Kozak, Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch, Ethan Randall, and Leslie Nielsen.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Robert Lieberman
- Producer
- Marykay Powell
- Writer
- Thom Eberhardt; Richard Kramer
- Starring
- Harley Jane Kozak
- Jamey Sheridan
- Ethan Randall
- Kevin Nealon
- Thora Birch
- Leslie Nielsen
- Lauren Bacall
- Cinematography
- Robbie Greenberg
- Music
- Bruce Broughton
- Editing
- Peter E. Berger; Dean Goodhill
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In New York City, siblings Ethan and Hallie O'Fallon devise a plan involving their parents Catherine and Michael and maternal grandmother Lillian to get what they want for Christmas. Hallie asks Santa Claus to reunite her divorced parents. Tony Boer pursues Catherine, while Ethan navigates a new friendship with Stephanie. The children use mice, telephone calls, and an ice cream truck to overcome Tony as an obstacle. Stephanie kisses Ethan, beginning a relationship, and all live happily ever after.
Production
In June 1991, Thom Eberhardt was announced as writer and director for the film, then titled Home For Christmas or Home For the Holidays. A month later, Robert Lieberman replaced Eberhardt as director-producer. On July 24, 1991, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Paramount Pictures chairman Brandon Tartikoff rushed the film into production for a 1991 holiday release. Eberhardt amicably left due to the short schedule. Gail Parent and Neal Israel co-wrote the original script but went uncredited after Richard Kramer's rewrites.
Reception
The film was panned by critics. Rita Kempley of The Washington Post described it as ranking just under dead reindeer on the roof, calling it a yuckie, yuppie kid dramedy directed lickety-split by Robert Lieberman, filled with Christmas cliches. Desson Howe of the same paper said the filmmakers tossed in elements like seasonal mufflers and special-effects snow as if ordered by catalogue. Siskel & Ebert gave it Two Thumbs Down; Gene Siskel remarked there wasn't an attractive character in the movie. Roger Ebert opened his review with a line he predicted other critics would use. Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote that the emotions were as fake as the snow, and the film resembled a commercial. Kathleen Carroll of the New York Daily News called it a mildly entertaining children's fantasy with a TV-movie look. Peter Rainer of the Los Angeles Times compared it to Miracle on 34th Street for the dysfunctional family era. People magazine listed it among the worst films of 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in All I Want for Christmas (film)?
All I Want for Christmas stars Harley Jane Kozak, Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Randall, Kevin Nealon, Thora Birch, Leslie Nielsen and Lauren Bacall.
When was All I Want for Christmas (film) released?
All I Want for Christmas was released on 8 November 1991.
How long is All I Want for Christmas (film)?
All I Want for Christmas has a running time of 92 minutes.
How much did All I Want for Christmas (film) earn at the box office?
All I Want for Christmas grossed $14,812,144.
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