Miracle on 34th Street

"Faith is believing in something even when common sense tells you otherwise..."

I just finished watching Miracle on 34th Street (in black and white, the way God intended it) and for some reason, this time really hit me with how well done a movie it is. It's really tightly written.

For those who haven't seen it, the story goes that a gentleman named Kris Kringle takes a gig as a department store Santa at Macy's in NY. He goes through the Christmas season believing he is Santa Claus. When a psychiatrist claims he is insane and wants to have him committed, a hearing is held to determine, once and for all, if he is truly Santa Claus.

That's about the gist of it. If you've never seen it go watch it right now on AMC!! Then come back and read the rest because I'll be spoiling the ending.

It really struck me how tight this movie is. During the trial, they give totally feasible reasons for each player to not want to come out and say "there is no such thing as Santa Claus". They also do a great job in just leaving it up to the viewer to decide for themselves. I found using the letters addressed to Santa being delivered to the court house as authorative proof that this man is Santa was a great way to end the movie. They didn't need to have him fly off in a sleigh. They didn't need him to perform some majestic feat of magic. It was a simple ending that still left his identity in doubt, while also providing a satisfying conclusion. You don't need to know, hell, you don't want to know if Kris is really Santa. You either believe he is or that he isn't.

OK, now I'm off to watch A Christmas Story...another classic.