Jack Frost

Reviewer: Alyice Edrich

The Film

Jack Frost

The Plot

A musician dies in a car accident and returns to his family, one year later, as a live snowman.

Starring

Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Joseph Cross, Mark Addy, and more.

The Review

The film opens with the Jack Frost band being discovered. After the gig, Jack returns home to his wife and son. After having a snowball fight with his son, Jack enters the bedroom where his wife says, "Sing me a smile…sing me my song."

He softly whispers, "Every time we say good-bye, I die a little…" then the song drifts off as the couple giggle and kiss.

Jack gets serious for a moment and with a heavy heart says, "If I ever make it big, I'd make you guys really proud of me."

To which his loving and supportive wife says, "We're already really proud of you."

Jack then goes on to list a number of things he'd buy his wife when she stops him and says, "All I really need is you."

Yes, it is sappy. But it's not over-the-top. Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston really have chemistry as a happily married couple and it's a shame that they didn't act in more films together.

But I digress…

After Jack is home for a few days he gets a call from his manager. His big break has arrived and he must leave immediately to sign a contract for a record deal or lose it completely.

On his drive to sign the contract he realizes that his dream has changed. He no longer wants the big record deal or to be on the road away from his family; what he wants is to spend more time with his wife and son. So he turns around and heads home. Unfortunately, his windshield wipers stop working, he loses control of the car, and dies.

One year later, Jack's son, Charlie, decides to play the harmonica his dad gave him before he died. The next morning the snowman he made, using his dad's clothes, comes to life.

This is when the movie shifts from heart-wrenching sadness to a light-hearted comedy as Jack, the snowman, tries to get his son's attention.

The rest of the film deals with Jack coming to terms with it being too late for him but realizing that his second chance isn't about him but about what his son needs to move on with his life.

When Jack realizes that his time is up, he tucks his son into bed and says, "I was so busy trying to make my mark on the world that I didn't… you are my mark on the world."

It is, of course, a subtle—or not so subtle—reminder that we can work so hard towards our goals that we forget to live in the moment; to appreciate what we have right in front of us.

I have to tell you that I really love this film. I make it a point to watch it every Christmas and when I'm feeling discouraged during the year, I like to watch it for a little pick me up.

I realize that some aspects of the film are totally unrealistic and for some, a little too over-the-top, but that's what I like about it. It's a Christmas film. It's about the "magic of Christmas". It's about the impossible being made possible. And it's about taking a sore subject—dealing with the death of a loved one during the holidays—and offering both comfort and healing.

In my opinion, it has a strong cast, great scenery, wonderful special effects, and a strong storyline that balances the make-believe with reality.

Your Task

Set aside any preconceived notions that human beings cannot be reincarnated into walking, talking, feeling, snowmen and just enjoy the film for what it is.