Dear Santa
“Dear Santa” reminds me of something I really haven’t thought about in my adult life. My wife and I don’t have any kids, but we do have a lot of nieces and nephews, many of whom have still been at those ages where Santa Claus means something to them. This film reminds us of the importance of Santa Claus- that he reminds us that hope can burn bright that someone will see our hopes and dreams, and try to do something to make those a reality. As we grow up, we don’t necessarily think about that as much, because we’re too busy trying to make them exist for ourselves. As this documentary shows, though, even adults need help, at times.
For 84 minutes, we are taken into the US Postal Service’s century-plus “Operation Santa” program, which takes the letters children send to Santa Claus at the North Pole, and disperses them out to individuals, and organizations, who try to bring those wishes to life. We meet postal workers and volunteers and heads of non-profits and just good Samaritans who want to give people a Merry Christmas, and will work tirelessly to do so if need be. One of my favorites is a man who remembers the excitement and feeling of being a kid, and getting a clock radio. He wants to give that feeling to everyone he selects to fulfill that hope for, and seeing him do everything he can to do that is one of the most tense, and emotionally-satisfying, sights in movies in the year 2020.
I can’t remember when it was for me that Santa Claus was left in childhood, but one of the things that is so heartwarming about “Dear Santa” is that it leaves that open to not just the children we see reciting their letters for Santa, but audiences who might want something a bit unconventional to get them in the Christmas spirit with their families. This is perfectly suitable for children of all ages- you won’t have to have any awkward discussions afterwards. Just as it should be around the holidays.
