Simple and instructive New Year's comedy, which proves the importance of a loving family man, puts before the main characters impossible tasks for the happiness of his child and culminates in giving goodness and coziness. The standard scheme, which put Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of the always busy father of the family, trying to solve all work issues, but not finding time for the family on Christmas Eve.
As you get older, you understand your father’s employment, your work, and your way of earning income, while the classic family conflict is gaining momentum. Father and husband are busy all the time, and the family needs a man in the house. Oh, what a bad Arnie, what an irresponsible person, could not pay attention to loving people! For comedy, director Brian Levant adds a loving neighbor who cares, helps, and has no friendly plans for his wife Arnie!
A son who does not see his father expects the most important gift from him. Beautifully, the film shows an advertising campaign to promote accessories and toys on the popular children's series about the superhero Turboman. The emphasis on the fact that the father always misses and is late for important events, turns the family movie into an adventure search for an important gift for the holiday.
The tape beautifully puts obstacles Arnie to the achievement of the goal was as long as possible stretched, which gives the viewer numerous locations, race for a gift, competition and dishonest tricks on behalf of the postman Sinbad (without seven seas, but with a powerful Austrian on the tail). The film alternates the adventures of Arnie and the dangerous approach of the neighbor to the holy grail of his family, which seems to serve as an acceleration of the film, but acts quite the opposite.
The meaning of the plot is understood in the first minutes, the denouement and change of the hero will meet you in the finale, but Arnie’s long adventures cause an uncomfortable wait for the end of the viewing. The main meaning was conveyed, the excitement from the hardworking father, exposed as a bad family member in the pre-holiday madness, was also revealed in the middle of the timing, so viewers expect even more strange attempts to get a cherished gift and culmination, where the most important superhero, the Turboman becomes the T-800.
The picture perfectly conveys the meaning of the family holiday, justifies the allegedly bad deeds of the father, proves love for loved ones and the importance of the son. But the tape could be shortened for half an hour, the meaning would have remained the same. Surprisingly, the picture met me with a young Sywalker – Jake Lloyd. I had never seen him before "The Hidden Threat." Unfortunately, a hidden threat awaited the actor in real life, sadly dousing the boy with a ton of fan anger. And Arnold Schwarzenegger is just nice to watch in the frame.
New Year and Christmas, without a doubt the brightest holidays of the year, which have a special attractive atmosphere, as well as many works in film art dedicated to these holidays. And one such bright representative of the cinema is the film Gift for Christmas (English name - Jingle All the Way). The film is remembered for the fact that it very well shows the pre-holiday fuss with gifts and jewelry in a comedy key. The atmosphere that reigns on the screen is incredibly touching, Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, holiday decorations on houses, traditional festive dishes, immediately refer to the New Year atmosphere of our childhood.
In all the best traditions of the genre, the plot of the picture is full of various ridiculous situations and turmoil, in which the main character in the performance of Arnold Schwarzenegger falls. All the “nonsense” of what is happening is due to an exceptional feeling that has no equal – parental love, in connection with which, the situations in which the main character falls seem ridiculous. What you wouldn't do for your son. The plot in the picture, incredibly simple, at some point, it seems that it simply does not exist, but all the ease and simplicity in the course of the plot is very relaxing and the movie looks in one breath.
Although casually, within the genre, the director touches on some issues related to the lack of time for fathers and children. As a rule, the father is the main earner for the whole family, and therefore the problem of time shortage is obvious. A person who finds himself in a similar situation experiences some stress, because you just want to be in two places at the same time, make the most for your family and at the same time be with your family. As a result, you need to make a choice, to determine in what proportion all this will be combined. Similar questions arise before the main character. The director, through the character of Schwarzenegger, shows that in the pursuit of providing for his family, one should not forget about his family, about the time he promised to allocate for his child. The main character, at some point, clearly understands this and fulfills the promise given to his child and even more. The climax of the film is very bright and touching.
A Christmas present is a bright and interesting family comedy that will warm up on a cold winter evening. The only controversial moment of the tape is the simplicity of the storyline, which revolves around the gift, in the rest of the film has one plus: bright, charismatic characters, good jokes, festive atmosphere and easy storytelling. A very good choice for family viewing, before the New Year or a simple winter evening with the other half under a warm blanket, for a cup of strong coffee.
7 out of 10
(About the 33rd minute of the film)
A Christmas present
It's all vanilla, of course. Sometimes incredibly sweet (especially in the second half of the movie). But there are several factors that justify it. Most importantly, Arnold Borisovich Schwarzenegger. This is where our favorite Terminator plays. I am always happy to see Arnold on the screen.
For many, Arnold has become an action icon, although if you look at his debut film Hercules in New York, you will notice that Arnie began his journey with comedies. They were nightmarish, but Schwartz (as a true athlete) never gave up. “A Christmas Gift” is another Terminator comedy attempt.
Put your hand on your heart, it's a good try. Arnold plays a terribly busy but very kind father who is constantly late for various activities of his young son. The next time the baby is late, he gets upset and asks his dad for a cool toy. Christmas is coming! Arnold scratches his turnips and runs headlong to the shops.
Important detail - is Arnold's hero a bad person? Nope! He's not cheating on his wife, he's not missing out with his friends. We have a hard worker. And he's fucking ashamed. The man's worried. Some have mentioned a scene where Schwartz thinks of stealing a toy from a neighbor, but even there his character is understandable. After all, Arnie realizes that this is not the way out.
Well, about the supposedly disguised advertising of toys, it actually does not cut your eyes as much (as she could). Plus, there are some very funny sketches in the picture. I'll especially note Arnold's fight with the Santa Claus gang in the warehouse. In general, it is an absolutely predictable children's film, but you can watch it once.
Arnold did a great job. It’s cool that the actor did not focus on action movies. You may not agree, but A Christmas Gift is much cooler than Junior, absolutely subjective. The most Christmas film in the filmography of the iron Arnie
P.S.
Wrestler Big Show appears in the 37th minute as a giant Santa!
7 out of 10
The VHS era will give another film, abandoned on a distant shelf for years. “A Christmas Gift” from Brian Levant with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role is one of those films when watching which the temperature in the room rises by a couple of degrees. It’s all about soulfulness and kindness, and the feeling that magic happens sometimes.
Howard Langston (Arnie) is very busy at work and spends very little time with his family. He would be more happy, but he can't leave his job. When the son asked his father for a toy-figure of the super-popular hero Turboman, Howard promised to buy a toy, only the hapless father forgot about his words. I remembered just before Christmas. But where to find a toy on the holiday, because in the shops queue, and the Turboman is in demand! Howard, in order not to fall in the eyes of his son, will have to overcome many kilometers around the city to find the cherished figure!
Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 90s (and in the late 80s) was actively filmed where his muscles may not play the most important role. Even if you remember “The Last Hero of an Action Movie” – although he was known there as macho, he played for the most part a comedic character. And so – “Junior”, “Twins”, “Kindergarten policeman”, “Dave”, “True lies” – Arnie actively mastered the comedy space, trying to move away at least briefly from his roles in action films.
That’s just how he was not always good – about the same as Sylvester Stallone to play a hero-lover (“Specialist”, if you remember). But in any case, to blame the actors that they are looking for and trying to play diverse characters is not worth it. Moreover, Schwarzenegger was not bad in comedies, even if it resembled his smile almost the one from one of the deleted scenes of the second “Terminator”.
To be honest, I don’t quite understand why The Christmas Gift was so distasteful to critics who bombed it with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film turned out to be no more stupid and naive than many holiday family films, since many of them have a place for both. Written by Chris Columbus himself, who ate more than one dog on such films (may the animal defenders forgive me) prepared a good script for the Levant, which was also well implemented.
The idea of showing the excitement around the holiday is also not bad. Parades are very often flashed in films - the same "Friends" were guests on them, parades are played out in Eastwood's "Mysterious River", and in "How to Steal a Skyscraper" with Sandler, and in "The Fugitive" with Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, and people's panic on the eve of the holiday is the most common thing. Just remember what happens in shops and shopping centers (especially where there are signs with discounts). Well, Turboman himself personifies, as it is customary to say now – a hype product – one that is in incredibly high demand among consumers (as an example – each of the newly released iPhones). But the people shown in the "Gift at Christmas" (here and the hero Arnie, and his opponent, and even dishonest Santa) reflect many real people - someone at the last moment rushes for gifts, someone dreams of buying, but understands that it will be difficult to do because of the scarcity of the family budget (but you want to please your child!!!), and someone profits on what everyone needs!
Given the sometimes idiotic and trash comedies of the New Year and Christmas in recent years (both domestic and foreign), I believe that it is better to go to my childhood, where there were “Home Alone”, “Edward Scissorhands”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, “Frost”, the cartoon “Evenings at the Farm near Dikanka”, “Santa Claus”, “Gift for Christmas”, and other good old holiday comedies. They really warm the soul and feel the festive spirit that allows you to enjoy the moment and believe in a miracle.
But look at you. I do not impose my opinion on anyone.
A little bit about the plot. Howard Langston is always busy at work and constantly misses various events in which his young son participates. On Christmas Eve, Howard does not have time to hand over another karate belt, and even his wife reminds him of a Christmas gift for his son, about which his father completely forgot. Howard drops everything and rushes for the Turbo Man doll. True, there is one catch, this doll is in great demand and it is very difficult to find.
Brian Levant is well established in the field of family comedies. There’s Beethoven, the Flintstones, and the later Snow Dogs, and So Here We Are. It would seem that the family Christmas comedy and even with the participation of Arnold Schwarzenegger a priori was to enter the director’s asset and become a hit. Unfortunately, neither the first nor the second happened. Levant was nominated for the Golden Raspberry, and the tape was able to escape from failure only due to foreign fees. It's all due. The main disadvantage of the picture is that it is not funny. Not funny for adults, actually. Children under the age of eight have something to laugh about. Mad deer, fight with Santa Claus, ridiculous falls... Only here, the family and parents have the right to expect that they are interested. But the authors completely forgot about it. They may have tried, not in vain, because Arnie was invited to help the popular comedian Sinbad (David Adkins in the world), but here they made a mistake. I’ve never seen this actor before, and when I saw him in the role, I thought he was an NBA basketball player. That was a trend back then. Remember, at least, Jordan in “Space Jam” and Shaquille in “Did You Call Jinn?” Wrong. Tall African-American, not inferior to Arnie physique, turned out to be a stand-up comedian, and popularity came to him during a personal show for children. It is reasonable to conclude that this very Sinbad is designed to attract a children's audience, the one who watches his show. But the film is so childish, more to say for preschool age. It’s like a long Turbo Man ad, there’s a toy for real.
Overall, the picture is weak. And as a family movie, and as a comedy, and as a Christmas movie. P.S. I don’t know how much money was spent (even by today’s standards). Arnold, like, refused the fee in favor of interest from fees, special effects once or twice and fucked up, and those are made clumsy, the stars of the cast does not shine ... Mystery.
The chime ringing has already died out, Olivier salad, tangerines, champagne and other culinary attributes of such a wonderful holiday have not left the tables, not all guests went home and the new year has already successfully come, but this does not mean that the holiday should end and that if not watching the next New Year's picture perfectly brightens up such a moment. It is this opportunity that this film is presented by director Brian Levant, which may be lost against the background of such more famous New Year’s films as Home Alone, Irony of Fate, Carnival Night and Christmas trees, but certainly does not lose its relevance at all.
It is very difficult to call this film directed by Brian Levant outstanding and certainly perfect, but this does not prevent you from getting a sincere and indescribable pleasure from watching the picture. Moreover, the film itself is simply magnificent. Director Brian Levant perfectly managed to convey the atmosphere of such a wonderful and magical Christmas holiday. The city is decorated with various New Year garlands, the streets of the city are covered with snow-white snow, Christmas songs of the blues genre are heard from the receivers, all this and much more allows you to sincerely imbue with the American mood regarding this holiday. Thus, allowing not only to imbue with the atmosphere of the holiday recreated by the creators of the picture, but also unwittingly recharge this festive mood of fun, joy and magic with all your heart.
In many ways, history contributes to this. It would seem that history is devoid of any significant originality and genius. The setting of the picture is incredibly simple, the dialogues are easy to digest, and the picture itself rarely pleases with certain surprises, but despite this, the film bribes with its sincere simplicity and ease of storytelling. Which allows you to just enjoy the Christmas gift hysteria developing on the screen in snob mode and brain shutdown. What the creators of the tape demonstrated simply magnificently and in a way that has not been shown in any other tape. When Christmas is not only a wonderful celebration, but also a total hysteria associated with the purchase of Christmas gifts with huge queues, which is observed in almost all countries, and sometimes even goes to extremes. When buyers in the hope of grabbing the last copy unceremoniously push each other, and some unclean individuals are trying to make money on the production and sale of defective products “under the counter”.
In addition, the film certainly pleases with its morality, which will be equally relevant not only for children, but also for their parents. After all, what kind of a family picture without any educational morality? But in this case, everything is elementary and as old as the world. The film teaches us how important it is to keep this promise, how important it is to spend the most time with your family and loved ones, not at a damn job, how important it is to show all your care and attention to loved ones, not just talk, and most importantly, never stop believing in miracles. The New Year is the time when miracles happen. You just have to believe and wait.
Of course, pleases the eyes when watching the picture and the presence of your favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role. The star of the militants not only was not confused in such an unexpected (it would seem) role for himself, but also coped with hurrah. Watching him, you see a workaholic obsessed with his work and throughout the tape, along with him, you walk the path of inner transformation into an exemplary family man. Naturally, along the way, having fun with a rather cheerful rivalry with the hero of the actor Sinbad and fist fights with a gang of criminal Santa Claus led by James Belushi.
8 out of 10
A Christmas gift is a very kind, bright, light, instructive and saturated with a festive mood Christmas comedy, which is a pleasure to watch even with numerous views. Perhaps the picture is not perfect, but every time you start watching, you unwittingly recharge the warmest emotions and festive mood and perhaps this is its main value.
PS: I congratulate everyone on the new year 2016. Let the main gift for Christmas for all of you luck, success in all endeavors, a sea of positive mood, good health for you and all your loved ones, as well as all the best that you can only wish for. Yay, yay!! << /i>
Filmmaker Brian Levant clearly made every attempt to become a worthy director of the comedy genre for the whole family. He productively performed his functions with the famous comedy “Beethoven”, then did not go smoothly with the adaptation of the funny comic book “Flintstones”, but the fact that the audience of the film gathered – this is indisputable, and Levant began with the second part of “Difficult Child”, another famous film about children for viewing by the whole family. And now Brian Levant received an invitation to shoot a pre-Christmas comedy of the family type, but already with the participation of Arnold Schwarzeneger himself is not at all surprising. Firstly, Levant still gained authority, and, secondly, he has already found himself in the role of a comedy character, where you do not need to play with muscles and pull heavy machines. In addition, Arnie took only a percentage of the income, refusing the fee, so that the producers were thus disconnected from almost the most expensive article in the estimate of the creation of the picture.
The script for the film “A Christmas Gift” was written by Randy Kornfield, who does not boast memorable works and, perhaps, “A Christmas Gift” is still the most famous film in the writer’s career, although the achievement, of course, is somewhat dubious. Randy Kornfield wrote a rather banal story, but it came out of an important characteristic of American society - family values, when children are wildly bored and resentful if their parents do not pay them enough attention. Of course, this is happening in our country, but it is not placed in the rank of an unwritten law that everyone and everyone must comply with. And believe me, I am not scolding this moment. And now the hero of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the eve of the Christmas holiday is all absorbed by work, so much so that he talks to his wife like a client. He completely forgot that his sweet son asked for a toy for the holiday. It would seem that there is nothing difficult: go to the toy store and buy, but Turboman was sold out and the hero Arnie thereby let his son and wife down, sharing a toy. The pursuit of the last Turbomen begins, where on the way Arnie meets another such woeful father.
“Adrec for Christmas” with some super bright moments is not abounding, but this is not fiction and not even fantasy, but a film that is as close to everyday life as possible, only taking into account that the main character was in a difficult situation. Brian Levant and Randy Kornfield tried to saturate the tape with only a slight satire about the negligence of workaholic parents. In the ease of presentation of this form and there is the best quality of the picture, it immediately disposes to view and the children for whom the film is designed, and their parents, somewhat teaching them that do not forget about their offspring. The final part of the film is given out as an extravaganza, where the desperate hero of Schwarzenegger makes a final attempt to get a toy for his son, while he becomes a hero for him. Well, when there’s Iron Arnie in the movie, it’s hard to imagine him not being a superhero without superhero qualities. And since the film is tied to a children's audience, everyone should be happy, and the parents will be a film of science. It turned out, although not so great, but still.
As mentioned above, Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself in comedies, the prerequisites of which can be found even in the action movie Red Heat. The body of the bodybuilder is now hidden by strict suits of a businessman and Arnie appears before us as an average American, which, apparently, Arnie himself sought in life, starting to embody this on the screen. They are not elected governors for nothing. The heroic act of Schwarzenegger in the final speaks for itself. To add humor to the film, the former Austrian was chosen by comedian Sinbad (in the world David Adkins). But in charisma and authority, Sinbad was clearly inferior to Schwarzenegger, so that fruitful rivalry somehow did not happen. Well, maybe it is not for nothing that the magazine Maxim called Sinbad the worst comedian? To be honest, even Rita Wilson, who played the wife of the hero Arnie, carried more light humor in the usual everyday form. Maybe her husband, Tom Hanks, taught her that. And, in principle, what does it matter, because Rita Wilson absolutely coped with her role. And James Belushi, Schwarzenegger’s partner in Red Heat, will also appear, a little decorating the picture.
Well, "Gift for Christmas" is still better to watch on the eve of winter celebrations, because at another time, the special aura of the film disappears and lightness and joy on the eve of somehow does not feel at all. You can review it, say, once every five years, because it’s not “Home Alone” after all.
7 out of 10
P.S.: The post-credits scene is beyond praise! Wait for her.
Jingle all the way – the title of this film – is actually from the popular Christmas song Jingle bells. In Russian there are two names: “Hello, Grandpa Frost” and “Gift for Christmas”. This is one of the wonderful comedies with the participation of Arnold Schwarzenegger, no worse than Kindergarten Policeman, Junior and Gemini.
The main character is a husband and father, who devotes the lion’s share of his time to work, and therefore he rarely pleases his wife and son with his presence at the holidays. Naturally, that upsets them. Importantly, the essence of this life situation becomes clear at the very beginning, even before the end of the opening credits. That's pretty well thought out. Forever forgetting father/Arnold again blundered in the eyes of his son, and now wants to atone for the guilt. So he promises to give a toy superhero TurboMan. And when he begins his adventure (not to be called otherwise) going for a toy, a riot of laughter is assured. The point is not only that with the search for a mega-popular toy a lot of problems, but also that the neighbor, who is a master of all trades and just a role model, begins to take advantage of the absence of the main character. And then a competitor in the “hunt” appeared in the face of dissatisfied with the life of the postman.
The Terminator and little Anakin Skywalker (to be clear) have an interesting father-son duo. The main laurels, of course, to Arnold. To the main character of the action movie so well accustomed to the comedy role, it is difficult to imagine. If the same Kindergarten policeman still had typical action elements like shooting, then such things simply cannot be. But Schwarzenegger's physical power is still in place, and absolutely in place. Yes, and it is applied so harmoniously that to use here the phrase “there is something from an action movie, because there is Schwarzenegger” – the language does not turn. If you show this film to someone who hasn’t seen Mr. Olympia/ex-Governor of California before, you don’t know that Arnold is an action star. And the fact that the giant may seem clumsy, and do not think. Arnie fits perfectly into this funny and graceful story. In addition, many funny moments give rise not to his physical become, but face, views, facial expressions. Honestly, diversely and really funny. For example, the wild cunning when he scrolls in his head the phrase “now he is quietly lying under the tree”, or the terrible confusion when he is first going to fall asleep. You have to see it, words won't help. But if several times in a movie it seems that the limit of laughter has already been reached, then you just have to wait for the killer climax. By the way, humor sometimes turns into a very adult sphere. When I saw the film for the first time, I didn’t understand the last scene at all, and now it’s clear.
The script plays out on all the resources that are at hand. The basis is set by the festive theme, and there already grow family relationships and related moments. The action is very intense. Well, in addition to laughter, there is real joy, because you want everyone to win in the end, and in this case it is very difficult to get to the finish line so as not to offend anyone. It also smells like learning.
The film manages to be both funny and serious, and kind, and insolent. He is confident in balancing all his decisions. The most important thing is that the plot cleverly accumulates power in order to mix and delight to the limit in the process, and save the most important thing at the end, so that everything that happened before has a bright, solemn and really final color.
9 out of 10
I would say this: a gift is not dear as attention is dear.
Whatever you do, whatever you do, stop! Christmas in the yard: children die on a sleigh, lovers by the hand turn circles on the rink, a set of snow balls melts, mixes with dirt, but remains a snowman. Drop everything, run to the store, throw goods in the cart with shelves, support the festive madness! And while marketers bathe in gold, like Scrooge McDuck, feel guilty if you didn’t have time to enrich them for an extra penny – you didn’t buy your son a Turboman doll. And there is no escape from this trouble: neither a mountain of muscles nor a titanium skull will help Arnie escape the gift obligation.
And even in the most free country somehow it is not customary to express discontent about this. Democracy is democracy, and Big Brother is watching you. That’s why the “Christmas Gift” is so close to the creations of Soviet filmmakers: openly rebelling against holiday spending, it is better to equate just in case to a half-crazy, and Santa can be unobtrusively called a crook, dressing a whole gang in his costume. The symbol of the holiday, we recall, is a reckless wild deer and, perhaps, because buying a gift turns into passing an obstacle course that requires special physical training. Do not expect any specific attacks, read between the lines and in general we have a typical jingle-Bellian comedy here.
We're just like everyone else here: a kid is waiting for a Christmas miracle, and a sloppy parent is trying to find it. And it does not matter that behind the sloppy-batey hides a repeated Mr. Olympia: Schwartz in addition to muscles and funny facial expressions is — just Jim Carrey under anabolics. The truth does not in itself become from the utilitarian Arnold: inadvertently there are thoughts about unhealthy pedophilia and other sexual disorders. Meanwhile, the humor ends there: the bundle full of topical irony somehow too quickly turns into an endless running, which is not able to cause a smile. And only disguised pokes on the main holiday of the planet at least a little save the situation.
However, the course of the horse in the final is present: the secret of the Christmas miracle is revealed. But the path to the answer is not close and lies through such a trend of teenage idolatry as the culture of superheroes. It is at this point that the courageous silhouette of a parent finds its place: it is more pleasant for a modern child to believe in a muscular savior who is ready to help in difficult times than in an overgrown prophet who died for our sins. And it does not matter who this savior is: 60 lemons for copyright were not enough, so let them become a hastily invented Turboman. And the small room is still quietly painted by Captain America, as long as Big Brother does not punish for the violation.
Herein lies the victory of family values over media intoxication: all these fools in leggings – a phenomenon less tenacious than the same annual dedugan pushing ambiguous “ho-ho-ho”. Everything passes, everything is forgotten, and the folder is his own, he is doomed to eternal torment, how to become a hero in the eyes of a offspring. That’s the secret: whatever he does, and sooner or later he will succeed, the main thing is to stay close.
Having proved everything that is possible and impossible in the genre of an action movie, the Hollywood hero Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to try himself in a completely unusual genre for him - family comedy. The first sign of the temporary change of role was the incredibly popular “Twins” in 1988 with the participation of Danny De Vito. And Arnold really enjoyed acting in a more playful, emotional movie than the standard 80s action films. Subsequently, Schwarzenegger took part in such well-known films as “Kindergarten Policeman” and “Junior”, which left a noticeable mark in the American comedy of the 90s, but critics simply destroyed all the efforts of the former bodybuilder with their libels and he had to return to work on what he does best. Thus, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last comedy, except for a cameo in Around the World in 80 Days, was the festive film A Christmas Gift (1996). As it turned out, it was this project that high-brow critics disliked the most, and the audience, although they brought the film a good box office, but showed Schwarzenegger that his place was clearly not here. The film was directed by Brian Levant, a guru of family humor, director of such cult films as Beethoven and The Flintstones. It seemed that Levant's career would be cloudless for many decades, but "A Christmas Gift" badly decimated it, and the director went on to television, shooting inexpensive sequels of the once successful tapes ("Scooby-Doo 3, 4"). But is this the worst movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger? I can safely say no. Yes, he is not very naive, sometimes stupid and incredible. However, it has its own charm, because of which the “Gift for Christmas” is necessarily present in the New Year’s television program that winter in a row and gathers a huge audience of both children and adults.
So, the plot of the film introduces to the ever-busy businessman Howard Langston (Schwarzenegger), who spends all his energy on his work, completely forgetting about his family, who every day waits for him in the hope that he will give her at least a drop of his attention. Tellingly, Howard also immensely loves his family, but he is also unable to abandon the business, because he brings a good income. And now comes the time when all things must be put aside and indulge in the festive hype, thus forcing the entire business world to wait - this is how invisibly, quietly and carefully Christmas creeps into our homes. Who loves this holiday the most? Of course the kids! Howard's young son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd) dreams more than anything of getting Santa Claus to play a new superhero, Turbo Man, whose commercials are shown daily on TV. Of course, behind the veil of affairs, Howard forgets about his son’s request and on Christmas Day slips out of the house to buy a toy in the first store he came across. But as it turns out, Turbo Man is such a popular hero that he is hunted by an army of buyers. Gavard will have to explore the whole city in search of a cherished toy. And the main competitor for him will be the same enthusiastic father as he himself - postman Myron (Sinbad), who will not disdain even dirty methods, just to beat Howard in this peculiar race.
The producer of "Gift for Christmas" was a recognized specialist on this holiday, the famous filmmaker Chris Columbus, who shot the first and best parts of the franchise "Home Alone". However, his influence on Brian Levant was not so significant, since the tape with Arnold Schwarzenegger almost does not feel the warm, soulful atmosphere that was present in the story of Kevin McCallister. In fact, the main uniting of the two films is a delightful Christmas music that can give any family film the necessary gloss. Of course, we should not belittle the efforts of the composer David Newman, who reworked many classical compositions in his own way and they played for us in a completely new way. However, music is only a small part of "A Christmas Gift." The basis of the plot is, of course, the long search for Turboman by the hero of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The first thing that comes to mind when watching a movie is the farce and catastrophic replay of the main character. And indeed, the director asked Arnold to show maximum emotions in order to move as far as possible away from the image of the “iron” soldier, familiar to every connoisseur of militants of the 80s. The main emphasis was on the fact that Schwarzenegger plays a respectable family man and businessman. However, it is impossible not to recognize the fact that the former bodybuilder was never a good dramatic actor. His efforts to show us something other than an ironic grin do not look at all. Although despite this, we still love the lead actor, because, firstly, he has a huge male charm and, secondly, Arnold is such an extraordinary personality in world culture that his image has long become a cult image and not get acquainted with his works in various genres - a formal crime.
For me personally, “A Christmas Gift” is interesting for its dynamics and pre-holiday hype. It is impossible not to succumb to emotions when the main character, Howard, chases around the city with all his legs in search of the cherished toy. And even if his actions, like the general mood of the film, are sometimes illogical and simply irrational, but it is interesting to watch the action presented. And that's the point. The entourage of the tape is also fascinating. Well, who among us is not interested in considering elegantly decorated storefronts with a lot of outlandish goods? It is also impossible not to note the efforts of the cast of the second plan. The main antagonist of the tape, the postman performed by Sinbad turned out to be a slightly inadequate layman, who, despite his declared high principles, is ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the goal, including Howard. Also pleased was Phil Hartman, who played Ted, Howard’s neighbor, who, in the absence of a hero, takes care of his wife. Yes, this character is not the most pleasant, but for the narrative is simply necessary. Not without the cameo of James Belushi, who traditionally played a fool and used his screen time to the fullest. And finally, the very young Jake Lloyd coped with his task perfectly - caused the necessary tenderness of the public and in fact became the main initiator of the history movement.
In the end, I want to say that “Christmas Gift” is certainly not the best film in its genre, but it has its advantages that make us come back to it again and again. Brian Levant had to reduce the amount of absurdity in the soy tape, force the actors to reduce the level of facial expressions and remove computer effects from the tape that spoiled the ending with their absurdity. If you look at the film in general, it’s pretty good. At least relax while watching it is quite real, and it will cause a smile guaranteed.
8 out of 10
P.S. Watch the post-credits scene - it's worth it!
In my opinion, this role Schwarzenegger first of all showed that in addition to a mountain of muscles and a harsh appearance, he can also play a comedy character with ease, unusual for a person of his size. And I liked this film even more than the cult “Red Heat”, although the difference between these films is several years.
A word about the plot. Arnold's hero is a typical merchant. He has a good job, a house, a car, a family. And as a typical businessman, he has a catastrophic lack of time for his family, and in particular for his young son. And on Christmas Eve, our hero suddenly remembers that there is no gift under the tree for his son. But there is only one day to get an extremely scarce, but very popular toy. The countdown went...
Naturally, on the way to the goal, our hero gets into a bunch of ridiculous and funny situations. Acquaintance with a delivery postman, skirmishes with an intractable police officer, incredible lines in supermarkets, a gang of Santa Claus scammers ... In a word, just our hero will not be. And it is striking the ease with which the textured Austrian actor portrays a desperate dad. Arnold has a very rich facial expression, which is surprising given his predominantly serious, brutal roles. But then he proves to all his haters that the actor, in addition to a pile of muscles and terrible English, also has a good game.
I'll sum it up. I really liked the film, despite the devastating reviews of critics and the nomination for Golden Raspberry. It is funny, interesting, kind, dynamic, and somewhere in the parallel universe could become a real “New Year” film, but this place has long been occupied by “Home Alone”, and almost no one remembers “A Christmas Gift” today. Sorry.
The main character always gives little time to his son. After another mistake on his part, he recklessly promises to get the child for the holiday his favorite and incredibly popular toy. Now he needs to get it at all costs and win the respect of his son.
This is a 1996 family Christmas comedy directed by Brian Levant. The film was ambiguous, but still liked it. The plot is not surprising, but funny in the presentation itself. We see all the new adventures of this unfortunate father in search of the cherished plastic man. By the way, at home, the picture failed and even received the Golden Raspberry. I think it’s not that bad, but there are definitely disadvantages. To begin with, some situations are exaggerated, banal and stupid, and the concept itself is extremely schematic. The narration lacks some smoothness or something, sometimes it seemed that what was happening before me was somehow fragmentary, fragments. It seems that the Levant himself did not really want to shoot. Not to say that this is an outright hoax, but in such a Christmas, festive atmosphere there must be some kind of... soulfulness. Little sincerity and unpretentiousness, a lot of falsehood and some kind of obscenity, which tires when viewing.
As for the humor itself, everything here is not as smooth as I would like. There are, of course, and really funny and apt moments, but in some places we are too forced on some situations, and a certain obscenity is present, despite the bright and cynical scene with Santa Claus, performed by James Belushi. It is an outlet and a kind of breath of air in a sweet atmosphere. And Levant himself sometimes gives a blow, throwing us from stamp to stamp, in an attempt to make his child more attractive and funny. But what I really liked was the war between two desperate dads for a coveted gift. Moreover, if the main character really wants to defend the trust of his son with all his might, then the second, as the story unfolds, actually has a personal inferiority complex nesting for a long time, when, unlike his friend, he did not receive a popular gun at that time and, so fate had it, became an ordinary postman, while a friend grew up a “big bump”. The funny thing is that the hysterical father really believes that the notorious gun is to blame. What they do not do to each other! Fight, swear, trap each other set up (in between, however, drinking coffee in the diner), even threaten to blow up the radio station if they do not get the same Turboman. This action reaches its apogee closer to the end, when the parents face each other as a superhero and his blood enemy. Yeah, I'm totally serious and it's not a figure of speech. The truth is, they managed to sweeten it. In general, those moral values that the creators are trying to instill in us are sweet and teach kindness for which they can already forgive a lot.
Of course, I will not ignore the actors. The role of Howard Langston was brought to life by the well-known and many beloved Arnold Schwarzenegger. By the way, the comedic character from him is not bad and unexpectedly charismatic. Through his play, he managed to make us empathize. Of course, at times he was a little underplayed and it is unclear how an ordinary hard worker and his father managed to cope with the crowd of Santa Claus, well, this is already a problem for writers. He was joined by an actor with an interesting name Sinbad. There is absolutely nothing to say about him. No fish, no meat. Phil Hartman fared better as Howard's slick-and-correct neighbor, Ted. That's really a bore, causing dislike from the very first appearance. And Phil can only praise that he gave us this nasty image skillfully and somehow emphasized. Good work. I also got a taste of Robert Conrad (the police officer he used to harass throughout the film). And unexpectedly talented showed a little Jake Lloyd (son of the hero). He alone was the embodiment of sincerity, very faithfully placing accents and bribed with his genuine diligence in execution. Oh yeah, I forgot the cynical Santa James Belushi. Look at his facial expressions, it's expensive. A very lifelike and believable character turned out, I reveal the other side of the good wizard, which children should not know better.
Incredibly kind, but underdeveloped and somewhat let go of the family comedy, imbued with the spirit of Christmas. Charming superhero fairy tale, losing, however, such classic projects as "Home Alone" and "Christmas Holiday".
7 out of 10