Romance Enlivens ‘Borrowed Hearts’
‘Tis the season for Christmas cliches - those familiar eggnog-coated specials.
CBS ushers in this merry time of year with the sentimental love story “Borrowed Hearts: A Holiday Romance” Sunday at 9.
The two hours steal a bit from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Eric McCormack (“Night Visitors”) is a modern-day, youthful Ebenezer Scrooge named Sam Fields.
Fields is the bachelor-owner of a factory that he’s hoping to sell to a Mexican businessman (Hector Elizondo), who’s a devoted family man.
Sour Fields must pretend he’s a happily married man to close the deal. He hires a factory employee (Roma Downey) to act as his wife, with her child, Zoey (Sarah Rosen Fruitman). McCormack never manages to be too convincing as a child-hating confirmed bachelor. He’s too warm and lovable when discussing his dislike for younger folks.
Downey is charming, and there’s enough chemistry between these leads to keep the movie tugging at your heartstrings.
Young Fruitman gives an energetic performance as a child with an active imagination and a willingness to talk about her dreams and hopes.
For one of the first holiday movies of the season, this one passes muster. Nonromantics might want to shop elsewhere for a less teary holiday movie.
Highlights
“Skate International of France,” FOX tonight at 8: Glide into skating action with this competition featuring Tara Lipinski, Michelle Kwan, Canada’s Elvis Stojko and Todd Eldredge.
“Mrs. Santa Claus” (1996), CBS tonight at 8: Gather up the family for this song-filled holiday delight about Santa’s better half, Mrs. Claus (Angela Lansbury). She believes she has discovered a faster gift-delivery route and sets out to prove it.
Lending their talents to the snappy period musical (it’s set in 1910) are Charles Durning and Michael Jeter. This repeat still offers a refreshing holiday twist.
“The Brady Bunch Movie” (1995), NBC tonight at 8: The polyester-loving family tries to bring ‘70s sensibilities to the ‘90s in a comedy filled with misfired gags. Shelley Long and Gary Cole do their best, but the movie is too much Astro Turf and not the real thing.’
“The Wonderful World of Disney,” ABC Sunday at 7: You remember “The Love Bug,” the lovable Volkswagen with as much personality as “My Mother the Car”? The crazy Volkswagen Beetle, named Herbie, has been updated for a 1997 tale featuring Bruce Campbell as a mechanic who ends up with Herbie.
Dean Jones, who played Herbie’s original owner, and The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz rev up the movie. The story line, involving a rival mechanic who invents a “hate bug” to do away with Herbie, crashes and burns early on, but you’re compensated throughout the movie with great car stunts.
Parents’ Pick
“Toy Story” (1995), DISN tonight at 7 and 9:55: You’ll find some old friends, such as Buzz (Tim Allen) and Woody (Tom Hanks), in this thoroughly entertaining tale about toys coming to life. The brilliant computer effects make this a treat.
“Annabelle’s Wish,” FOX Sunday at 7: Wishes play a major role in this sentimental holiday tale about a calf’s efforts to bring about a miracle for a little boy. You’ll recognize many of the voices - Cloris Leachman, Jerry Van Dyke and Jim Varney.
Randy Travis narrates.
Cable Calls
“One Fine Day” (1996), HBO tonight at 8: Two single parents (George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer) find romance during a 24-hour period when they cope with child-care issues and demanding situations. Pfeiffer is pleasing as an ingenious mom, and Clooney charms as an aloof dad who’s forced to become involved in his daughter’s life.
“Shoot the Clock: Fitting Your Life Into Your Life,” LIF Sunday at 10: Six women discuss how they juggle home life and work. Mostly, the women state the obvious, such as how important “car time” is with a child when you’re a working mom.
The message is it’s a daily struggle of dashing around and trying to beat the clock. But working women already know that.
Movie Marquee
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989), NBC Sunday at 9: You can get into the Christmas spirit early with this comedy about those crazy vacationing Griswolds. They stay at home to deck the halls with pratfalls, sight gags and food jokes.
Chevy Chase appears as the family’s patriarch, and Beverly D’Angelo plays his hapless wife. Repeat.