A loss of magic

Miracle on 34^th Street (1994)

Directed by Les Mayfield this remake of the classic film of the same name stars Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson, Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott. An old man starts work as Santa Clause at a New York department store, is he the real thing or mentally ill?

Inevitably this film will always be compared with the original and in pretty much every area it is weaker. The script tries to simplify the story both in plot and character terms which detracts from the impact of the story. When it comes to the cast Attenborough does a decent job but Elizabeth Perkins is not even close to being in the same league as Maureen O'Hara.

3/5