I do not think this movie was filmed in Vancouver. I think Florida. Not sure why they would hide that.
Off Season
2001
Action / Comedy / Drama / Family
Off Season
2001
Action / Comedy / Drama / Family
Plot summary
After the death of his parents, 10-year-old Jackson Mayhew moves in with his Aunt. But when he befriends an elderly man, he begins to suspect that the old man is actually Santa Claus.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 18, 2020 at 07:51 AM
Director
Top cast
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Ok movie
I'm still not sure that Hume Cronyn isn't Father Christmas?
This film could actually be a sequel to one of my seasonal favourites "Santa & Pete", where Hume Cronyn plays Saint Nicholas who gradually grows in to the Father Christmas we know and love today. It is quite possible that he is still going strong at the time of "Off Season/Secret Santa" and staying at the hotel where Macauley's little brother Rory meets him.
It's a charming little story that has twists and turns and isn't your typical made for TV Christmas film with it's focus on a romance. In fact it's not even set in December.
The younger Culkin brother, similar in many ways to his brother as Kevin from "Home Alone" plays his part well as does Mr Cronyn, although he's not what you'd call a typical Santa.
There is humour and schmaltz and thoughtful moments. With a bit of Hollywood polish, it would make a great film for the big screen and could be made today, but this one does the job well enough. I wish I could write a story like this.
Off Season is Off the Wall 1/2*
Bruce Davison directed this mess. How many Culkin brothers are there? They all look the same with the dead-pan face image.
Anyway, this film is far from good because there are so many angles and sub-plots which could be used here.
Davison co-stars as a psychologist. When Culkin realizes what happens to him, you would think that the former would begin a relationship with the aunt.
Even the late Edmund Gwenn would have been annoyed with the idea regarding Hume Cronyn. Is he or isn't he Santa Claus. This premise was both idiotic and foolish. You know that Adam Arkin is no dentist when he is packing heat.
Cronyn's antics were all done so as to help the recently orphaned Culkin? Come on. This is not holiday fantasy, it's more like holiday misery.
All that was needed was for the aunt to want to be a lounge singer.
The whole situation was ridiculous at best.