So far, as one might expect for films that are chucked online for free, I’m noticing that most of these films occupy that forgettable middle ground between bang average and truly awful - not the worst thing ever, just unremarkable. So far, not too many have been crappy enough for ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ status but also none have really been good enough to invite a second watch. It definitely appears as though somebody’s decided to just stick them on Youtube in the hope that someone - anyone - will find them, appreciate them and then maybe, just maybe give them a second chance at life.
And so it is with 2007’s Christmas Caper which is, interestingly, the first holiday movie I’ve seen that asks us to root for a cat burglar. This one from director David Winkler is a sort of Uncle Buck meets Bad Santa hybrid with shades of that Bryan Cranston film Twas the Night, where he was a thief, though this has less magic and more dull romantic stuff.
Television stalwart Shannen Donerty is Cate Dove, a crafty crook who needs to lay low after a doublecross during a heist sees her face plastered all over the news. Luckily, her sister is stranded on vacation due to bad weather, so needs someone to watch her troublesome kids ASAP. Yes, it’s another tale of a big city person who’s lost touch with her feelings returning to their hometown, reconnecting with family values, becoming a better person and all that. Oh, and you can bet your stocking she’ll rekindle a romance with her high school ex who’s now - uh oh! - the town sheriff. Awkward.
This one’s fun as, for most of the film, Cate has no interest in being on the nice list and is content being a shitty role model. It’s refreshing how irresponsible she is, spending large portions of the film in her jammies as the kids run riot. Naturally, her Grinch-y constitution will be eroded by the magic of the season and, with the help of some carolling, decorating, hugging and family she’ll discover a gooey side of herself long hidden.
Not, that is, before using her groovy, illicit skills to teach the kids important lessons about sticking up for themselves and whatnot. It’s a cute enough premise but doesn’t push the envelope far enough to make any sort of lasting impression. Yes, it’s offbeat to have Cate be a protagonist who revels in stealing and even encourages the kids to engage in thievery but it’s so obvious from the start that she’ll come good that none of this is too exciting. Admittedly, it is fun to watch her size up every person she meets as a potential “mark” then casually pop over to rob their homes, even though it’s obvious she’ll give all the loot back just in time for Christmas. This one never goes full Bad Santa and could really have benefitted from much more debauchery and despicableness.
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