You only need catch the opening few minutes of this seasonal schmaltz-fest to guess the ultimate outcome. An unsophisticated though innocuous advocate for true love, friendship and family, it sees widow Gail O'Grady unwittingly thrown into the media spotlight when her ten-year-old son secretly requests a new husband for her by means of a nationwide Christmas wish competition. Naturally, there are lessons to be learnt all round, hammered home with a shameless lack of subtlety and very little realism. But as contrived and simplistic as proceedings are, they possess a crude emotional appeal thanks largely to O'Grady's warm and unaffected performance.

Tis the season for making dreams true. If everything goes according to plan for one young boy, he just may be sharing this Christmas with a new dad. Ever since her husband died, Sarah Armstrong has divided her time between working at a community center and caring for her nine-year-old son, Jesse. When Jesse wins the All I Want for Christmas contest sponsored by a toy company, his wish comes as no surprise to find a new dad. Just in time for the holidays, All I Want for Christmas is a surprise romantic treat for anyone who believes in the magic of love, friendship, and family.