Finding Peter Falk
by: Dan MacIntosh

"Finding John Christmas" is an emotion-tugging TV Christmas special that invites the suspension of disbelief with its highly coincidental plot. It ultimately succeeds, however, because of its A-list cast. The John Christmas in this story's title is a former fireman (played by William Russ), who returns to his hometown to make amends for past mistakes; mistakes he's never been able to fully overcome. A newspaper photographer just happens to snap a shot of an American flag-draped Hank McAllister, while on assignment to capture the spirit of the Christmas season in pictures. And this one shot alone brings out the curiosity in this town. The person with the most vested interest in this John Doeˇ¦s true identity is Kathleen (played by Valerie Bertinelli), who is convinced that this stranger is none other than her long lost prodigal brother. What transpires is an earnest search by these individuals (Kathleen and Noah, the photographer), as well as the rest of the town, for the purpose of meeting and interrogating this mystery man.

Peter Falk, who plays the most mysterious character of all, gives this otherwise predictable program its true zing. He's either Santa Claus or some other such messianic figure that always seems to show up at the right place at the right time. Seemingly, he's also a different person each and every time he arrives somewhere. His medaling into the affairs of mankind is very much like an everyman divine intervention. Falk is listed as a character named Max, and this movie finds him reprising the role he also portrayed in "A Town Without Christmas." There's just so much character in his well-worn face, that it's impossible for the viewer not to warm up to him. And while he may not be a nosey Columbo here, he nonetheless carries a strong visual presence throughout.   

Valerie Bertinelli's performance is also notable, even though it's sometimes hard to picture Mrs. Van Halen as anything other than that teenage girl in the old "One Day At A Timeˇ¨ sitcom. Ultimately, she's believable as a woman who is having trouble living without her big brother still in her life.

Without being preachy or Biblical (No verses from the Book of Luke were harmed during the making of this production), "Finding John Christmas" is nevertheless a fitting reminder about family ties that bind -- or at least ought to bind. It's a story that could only happen on TV, but with all the strains currently pulling even the strongest of families apart, it's still a story worth the telling.

posted 11.29.03

2003 White Elephant Productions