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Parents' Guide to

Desperately Seeking Santa

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Average romcom has likable messages of personal empowerment.

TV Freeform Comedy 2011
Desperately Seeking Santa Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Marketing executive Jennifer Walker (Laura Vandervoort) has her eyes on a promotion to her company's corporate headquarters; with the coveted job on the line, she creates a "Sexy Santa" competition at the fledgling South Boston Mall to increase sales and propel her to the lead in the company's profit margins. Though she initially butts heads with the contest's winner, David Moretti (Nick Zano), over time, she comes to appreciate how his down-home charm contrasts with the calculated coldness of the higher-ups she used to admire. But just as she finds her steely resolve warming around David, Jennifer discovers the upsetting truth behind his family's impending loss of their restaurant, and she must choose between following the career path she's set for herself and following her heart.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

It doesn't break any new ground in the romcom genre, but DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA has a certain appeal, thanks to the empowering David-and-Goliath story surrounding David's mission to save his restaurant, which parallels the blossoming relationship between him and Jennifer. It's rewarding to root for a kind underdog who singlehandedly takes on corporate greed and vies for the hand of a girl whose true beauty he helped reveal. And in the process, it's impossible not to reexamine your own definition of success and happiness. This story's commentary on the tug-of-war between small-town life and big business probably isn't its main intended message, but in light of modern economic times, the movie's timeliness pulls it to the forefront nonetheless.

Of course, none of this outshines the holiday spirit that takes root in the story. It's always uplifting to see someone (fictional or not) rediscover the meaning of Christmas, and Jennifer's journey from the ranks of Scrooge to a full-fledged Christmas believer is heartening. As for the content, with the exception of some references to sex appeal and a few kisses, this sweet story is suitable for older tweens and up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the nature of business. Does success always have to come at someone else's expense? Which careers focus less on competition and more on collaboration?

  • Teens: How do you know when you've met someone you truly love? How does being in love change your perspective on life and a career? What are the media's messages about love and sex? How do they compare to your own family's values on those topics?

  • What dangers exist in judging a book by its cover? Have you ever found that your first impressions of someone were wrong? What did the experience teach you? Did it change how you relate to people when you meet them?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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