If you've watched "The Santa Clause 2" then the storyline to "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" is going to feel a little familiar as we have marriage issues with Santa's son Nick needing to get married before he takes over from his father in the family business. That is not the only thing which will feel familiar about "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" as elements of a busy single mum, a child wanting a dad and various other little plots have been used in both Christmas and non Christmas movies over the years. But there is something surprisingly enjoyable about this simple Christmas movie even when it does force various issues such as toys which are not suitable for children and the use of Santa as part of commercialism. Even a nod to "Miracle on 34th Street" with Santa communicating with a deaf child doesn't spoil its simple charm.

Santa is getting ready to retire and hand over the reigns to his son Nick (Steve Guttenberg - 3 Men and a Little Lady), but first Nick must get married and he hasn't got much time to find himself a bride. The trouble is that Nick wants to marry someone he falls for not just a name on a list of eligible candidates and so whilst he visits those candidates he hopes to meet his Miss Right. And that is exactly what he does when he meets single mum Beth (Crystal Bernard) who asks him to help out on a TV commercial. But there is a problem, since she was 8 Beth has not been a believer and for Nick to be able to marry her she needs to believe in Santa.

So story wise "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" whilst having the semi unique idea of Santa's son needing to marry before taking over is a movie which feels very familiar. It's familiar because at it's heart it is a family friendly Christmas romantic comedy which uses various cliches to build a storyline. So whilst we have Nick needing to marry the woman he falls for happens to be a single mum who has to work very hard whilst trying to bring up her son all alone. Add to that a Christmas cliche that after a childhood experience she no longer believes in Santa which means that Nick will have to make her a believer again before times run out. Basically there is nothing overly original going on with various ideas from other movies merged together in this story.

But whilst familiar and to be honest at times shockingly cliche it is also fun and a little charming. You do end up warming to Nick as he has to find a bride and his innocent approach of trying to date Beth is both sweet and amusing. You also warm to Beth because quite frankly she is as nice as Nick and even if you known what the outcome will be you do wish for things to work out for them. Even when it forces things with points over the use of Santa's image being used for commercial reasons and games being inappropriate for children the intention is good and sort of heart warming. And in a way that is what "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" is all about a heart warming, fun, slightly romantic movie which doesn't try to be original just tries to make what it's got entertaining and for a TV movie it is entertaining.

Now to be honest Steve Guttenberg wouldn't be my first choice either for the son of Santa or for a romantic role but it strangely works. The childlike innocence he brings to the character is pleasant as is his awkwardness whilst trying to pluck up the courage to ask Beth out. It is certainly a restrained Guttenberg in some ways but then at times he does go overboard with elements which turn him into almost a caricature and yes I am on about the forced "ho ho ho" laugh. Alongside Guttenberg is Crystal Bernard and she is as charming as Guttenberg delivering a cliche character but finding some way of giving her a little depth. It means that whilst Beth is a very familiar character you do warm to her although to be honest the spark of chemistry with Guttenberg never really feels right.

What this all boils down to is that "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" is a pleasant Christmas movie made for TV. It is all very familiar but it strangely works even when it tries to force things with points over commercialism. Basically there are worst ways to spend an hour and a half and if you want some simple Christmas cheer you will find it right here.