Prancer
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Movie Reviews of Prancer
Movie Review: A Most Wonderful Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I was reluctant to watch "Prancer". I expected it to be an (another) overly sentimental and unrealistic Christiams movie. I was wrong. "Prancer" is a wonderful picture, and it brings out everything that is right and good about Christmas.
It's the story about a real live reindeer that, for some reason, has strayed far south from its natural habitat. An 8 year old girl (Jessica) happens across him in the woods, and she is convinced that he is Prancer ... one of Santa's reindeer. Later the animal somehow gets wounded and mysteriously turns up at Jessica's home, where her father ... should he ever discover the reindeer there ... would shoot him. Jessica decides to nurse Prancer back to health (in secret) and then return him to Santa in time for his important Christmas Eve trip.
The reindeer has the title role here, but the girl who plays Jessica (Rebecca Harrell) is the star of the movie. She gives a very believable and very touching performance, and, if you have a heart ... no matter how small ... she will find it, take it with her, and put it in the pocket of her winter coat ... the very same pocket where she keeps her ... spare halo.
She is surrounded by some pretty good performers here. Sam Elliott plays her dad, and he is excellent, though a bit scary for the first ... 95% of the movie. Cloris Leachman plays an eccentric old shut-in whose life is touched by the little girl. Abe Vigoda is excellent (in a small part) as the veterinarian, and Michael Constantine (in an even smaller part) plays a department store Santa.
"Prancer" never falls into the "mushy" trap ... which would have been easy to do. Everything is kept realistic and believable, which is likely due to the efforts of the director, John Hancock. The setting is small town America in winter (Vermont maybe?) and everything that is shown to us rings true.
But "Prancer" can legitimately be called a Christmas classic ... a movie that families (and those wishing to have a family) can watch for years to come.
Movie Review: Deeper Than You Might Expect
Summary: 5 Stars
Christmas is merely a backdrop for what is a deeper and well done movie about family dynamics. Sam Elliott gives a masterful performance playing a tough Dad in a tough situation. He's unable to explain or express his emotions - his wife has died recently and he cannot make enough money from his apple farm to support his daughter and her older brother. He has tough decisions ahead and is grittily bound by the realities of his Earthly life.
His daughter, meanwhile, is full of wonder, unbounded joy and optimism. The contrast between her world and his is striking, as Elliott reaches the point where he decides he has to send his daughter away to live with the aunt, because he simply can't provide for her.
Being a father, this hits home real deep.
There are many other layers to the film and many twists and turns along the way. But beyond the magic of Christmas is the father's ultimate realization that he can't live without his daughter - she's the one spark of life left out there for him. She, by the power of her incredible spirit, redeems him, heals him, and let's him break down and grieve openly.
With three kids ages 16, 14 and 10, I watch and have watched many many "kid/teenage movies." A big complaint that I have is that in 9 out of 10 of them the Dad is stupid, evil, clueless, or some other form of the bad guy. In this movie, the Dad starts out as uncaring and unfeeling but there is more of a gritty realism to it. (The film itself reinforces this - it's cold and somewhat grim and often nighttime - you do NOT get the feeling that this is a "Hollywoood" movie) These are apple farmers out in the sticks and they are fighting to make ends meet. They are poor. The Dad is mean in alot of the film but because he is down on his luck and broken through circumstance, not cluelessness. His salvation and rebirth is a big part of what this movie (and Christmas) is about.
Five stars.
Movie Review: Most amazing movie ever I believe if I could only watch 1 movie ever again it would be Prancer!
Summary: 5 Stars
Prancer is the most amazing beautiful perfect movie ever created on this earth, I constantly dream and pretend I am Jessica Riggs she is the most amazing character I have ever seen. I like to sit on my bed and read Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus from my book that I purchased because it was Jessies favorite story. This movie touches my heart so much I watch it all through the year but a few times a week starting on Halloween through Christmas. Every single thing about "Prancer" is wonderful every character and of course Prancer himself, and I believe it is as much about believing in God and heaven as it is in Santa Claus. Every time I watch Prancer by the end of the movie I am crying really hard it just grabs my heart so much. This is the best movie of all time trust me I have been loving it since I was 8 in 1989 when it was in the theaters( at the same time as little mermaid and all dogs go to heaven 2 of my other favorite movies!) If you love good movies , great movies, magical movies, total masterpieces then you must own Prancer on DVD!!! BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME TRUST ME!!!!Movie Review: Tranquility and Beauty really fit well in this Christmas story
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a marvel to see that this film hasn't really aged. I admired "Prancer" when I was a kid, and I still do. Not only do I admire it for the acting and the plot, but I also love the atmosphere and the scenery. This isn't a loud, bombastic Christmas tale that's filled with cheer. This is a very tranquil film that's filled with beautiful scenery. The shots of the silent, solemn winter woods is something that you don't usually see in today's family features. The mysterious reindeer is also a sight to see when it slowly wanders in one of the coldest realms of nature.
Rebecca Harrell, who plays Jessica, is still spectacular when seen onscreen. Her chemistry with her father (Sam Elliot) and a veterinarian (Abe Vigoda) really makes the film even better. I'm still wondering whatever happened to the actress after this film was released.
So I would say that "Prancer" is a beautiful family film. It's an excellent mix of family & friendship, and stunning scenery. It's certainly better than most over-the-top Christmas films that are seen in today's generation.
Movie Review: Destined to become a Christmas classic
Summary: 5 Stars
There are few movies that have the fabric to become a classic. I'd rate this film right up there with "A Christmas Carol," the original "Miracle on 34th Street", and "It's a Wonderful Life." Generally realistic, and not sappy, this is a touching movie that will grab just about anyone's heart. There is fine acting - Sam Elliot does a fantastic job playing a widowed, apple farming, barely able to make it father, and 9 year old Rebecca Harrell plays a completely believable girl who has found and nursed back to health the injured Prancer. Her realism is second only to her resolve to make sure Prancer is reunited with Santa before the close of Christmas. The movie was filmed in and around Three Oaks, Michigan (15 miles from my home). A small, quiet village of less than 1800 people in an agricultural area, where we do grow apples among other things, and really have a Drier's Meat Market. The setting adds realism to the movie - although there are no mountains in this part of Michigan or Indiana. Clearly destined to become a holiday classic. A must see.