Jingle All The Way

by Robbo

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Posted on 14 December 2021

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Rating -

Jingle All the Way is a 1996 American Christmas family comedy film directed by Brian Levant. The film’s title is borrowed from the lyrics of the popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells”.

Workaholic business owner Harold Langston (Schwarzenegger) loves his wife Liz (Wilson) and son Jamie (Lloyd) but often neglects them. After missing Jamie’s Karate class graduation, Howard resolves to make it up to him by getting him a Turbo-Man action figure for Christmas.

Liz had asked him to purchase the figure 2 weeks earlier but Howard had forgotten so he sets out on Christmas eve to try to buy one only to find the toy is sold out everywhere.

Howard meets postal worker Myron (Sinbad), a divorced father trying to redeem himself by also securing a Turbo-Man doll. Howard and Myron initially work together then become rivals in their attempts to find the elusive action figure.

Howard has to navigate several obstacles including a group of criminal Santa’s, a vindictive police officer (Conrad) and sleazy neighbour Ted (Hartman) who has amorous intentions towards Liz.

The whole film is inspired by real shortages of in-demand Christmas toys such as Cabbage Patch Dolls and contains elements of satire about the commercialisation of Christmas.

In the end, Jamie doesn’t really care about material things, all he wants is to spend quality time with Howard.

Jingle All The Way is an uneven and disjointed film in many ways. It veers from a satire on materialism to all out slapstick and a cartoon ending without any real resolution.

Schwarzenegger’s performance is a little wooden and Sinbad is trying desperately to be funny but the script doesn’t provide sufficient opportunities for the other talented cast members.

Despite all of this negativity, the truth is I can’t help but liking this film and it is definitely a Christmas staple in our household.

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