It's been well established that originality on the Hallmark Network is as elusive as honesty on Fox News, but rising even higher above the familiar motifs and outright cliches is an emerging sub-genre of blatant ripoffs of theatrical hits. Victims of cinematic identity theft include Groundhog Day, Freaky Friday (both of which we'll cover later), and the 90's hit given the once over by this film, the Jim Carrey vehicle Liar Liar. In this year's offering from now perennial cheddar favorite Alicia Witt, the comely redhead plays a driven ad exec (high powered professional like Carrey's lawyer) who frequently lies to get ahead and evade trouble (same), until her niece (son) after one too many broken promises (same) makes a wish (same) to a sidewalk Santa (birthday candles) after which, she is unable to lie (SAME SAME SAME) while trying to land a big client (win a big court case) and earn a big promotion (make partner). This isn't laugh out loud funny (if it was, the screenwriter would be scripting theatrical films after all), but it's pleasantly humorous in a lighthearted way, and while Witt can't match Carrey's comic sensibility, she manages to come across as sympathetic and likeable. Prolific stage actor and The Wonder Years' dad Dan Lauria is on hand as the magical Santa, and while he's sporting what's clearly a polyester fiber beard that looks like it came from a 99 cent store, his acting chops serve the part well. There's the obligatory romance, predictable lesson learned and what's becoming an increasingly ubiquitous (and ridiculous) plot device, the supposedly clandestine cell phone conversation taking place well within earshot of the protagonist which gives the antagonist's deception away (villains in these things seem to think a distance of five feet puts them in a cone of silence). But it's pleasant, and Witt brings enough to pull it together. Nausea factor moderate. Christmas factor moderate. Plus Alica Witt. MSG approved (but it's close).
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