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Santa Fake
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Wikipedia article
'Santa Fake' is a 2019 American Christmas film written and directed by J.M. Burris and starring Damian McGinty, Heather Morris, John Rhys-Davies, Judd Nelson, Jeff Fahey and Tony Amendola.
Plot
A young immigrant from Ireland, Pat Keeley starts a new life in New York City. He finds off-the-books employment from an Irish restaurant owner, Joe, but after a few months is asked to deliver two suitcases for his boss. After learning that he shouldn't look inside them, and then running into different police officers on the way to the drop, he gets spooked and takes the first bus out of town.
His bus journey ends at Santa Fe where he looks for a place to stay. He finds a B&B run by a Mrs. Ortega. He asks to stay one night and she invites him to dinner, where it is discovered that Pat can't handle green chilis and Mrs. Ortega is a widow. Pat calls Joe to reassure him that he will deliver the briefcases. Joe is angry that he ran off with them and demands to know his location. Upon hanging up, Joe checks the caller I.D. for an area code, discovering that Pat is in Santa Fe. He then sends two of his top lieutenants, Jim and Seb to kill Pat and retrieve the money.
Pat opens the briefcases to find that they contain $1.3 million. He then asks Mrs. Ortega where he can go to buy some nice clothes. She suggests the mall and gives him a ride.
After buying the clothes, he calls Joe from another payphone.
Then he plays Santa. He goes on a date. He gets a visit from "Santa Claus."
Cast
*Damian McGinty as Pat
*Heather Morris as Emily
*John Rhys-Davies as Joe
*Judd Nelson as Seb
*Jeff Fahey as Jim
*Tony Amendola as Father Estaban
*Gary Farmer as Santa
*Luke Whoriskey as John
*Soledad St. Hilaire as Mrs. Ortega
*Pancho Moler as Alowishus
Production
The film was shot in New Mexico in December 2017. Judd Nelson, Jeff Fahey, and John Rhys-Davies were named as starring in the film and producer Delaney Marsh noted that the planned 12-day film schedule would be its "biggest challenge". Actor Damian McGinty described the movie as "a very lovely, heartwarming family-friendly Christmas film".
Release
'Santa Fake' was given a limited theatrical release on October 4, 2019, after which it was released to video on demand.
Reception
Frank Scheck of 'The Hollywood Reporter' gave the film a negative review and wrote, "J.M. Buris' debut feature severely tests the limits of how much mediocrity viewers will accept in exchange for some forced holiday cheer."
References
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