If you’ve ever wondered what Mrs. Doubtfire would look like if it traded the bustling streets and iconic landmarks of San Francisco for a snowy, alpine ski resort with freshly groomed slopes and cozy lodges, and swapped Robin Williams for Alexandra Breckenridge dressed in a festive Santa suit amidst twinkling holiday lights, My Secret Santa has your answer—though it’s not exactly the gift you’ll want to unwrap twice.
Breckenridge plays Taylor, a single mother navigating the challenges of recent unemployment while raising her talented but rebellious snowboarding prodigy daughter. She also contends with the skepticism of her small-town community and an HR department that seems comically inept. Her inventive solution? Wearing a thick beard and a round belly to land a job as the resort’s Santa Claus during the holiday season, with the help of her brother, a seasoned ski instructor, and his boyfriend, a talented costume designer known for creating elaborate holiday costumes. The story unfolds with familiar bathroom-dash scenes and mounting tension over how long Taylor can maintain her disguise, creating a sense of déjà vu rather than fresh, original comedy.
Ryan Eggold appears as Matthew Layne, the rebellious heir to the resort empire known for his defiant attitude and sharp wit, set against the picturesque backdrop of Breckenridge. Tia Mowry portrays Natasha Burton, a stern and unwavering corporate enforcer who maintains order with a piercing gaze that leaves little room for doubt. There’s also a subplot exploring Taylor’s abandoned rock star dreams, revealing her past ambitions and the emotional toll of letting go, which lands with the same inevitability as a snowball rolling downhill. Despite these plot points, the cast delivers committed performances, the ski resort setting exudes a cozy charm with crackling fires and mountain vistas, and Breckenridge’s alluring ambiance keeps the story’s sled from skidding completely off course.
In short: My Secret Santa isn’t a disaster—it’s the cinematic equivalent of a fruitcake: a dense, fruit-filled confection that’s been around for ages. Serviceable, mildly sweet, but unlikely to be anyone’s holiday favorite, much like that one gift everyone mildly appreciates but never truly loves.
Grade: B. Streaming on Netflix.
Leave a Reply