Sarah (Ann Jillian) is the part-time mayor of a town that is big at holiday time, St. Nicholas is its name! With her other work time, she is the area's vet. Unfortunately, the village is rather remote and the town's doctor has just passed away. With simple cases, Sarah has been helping out in medical emergencies but she can't truly practice human medicine. Now, word comes that longtime, older resident Bob (Jack Palance) is going to have visitors. This would be his physician son, Michael (Robert Hays) and his tween daughter. Every resident is eager to greet Michael and persuade him to move back and be the doctor that they need. Unfortunately, there are complications. Michael has lived and practiced in a big metropolitan area, so he may not want to "go back home". But, more importantly, he is having anxiety attacks and loss of confidence in his skills, due mostly to the death of his wife a couple of years before. At the hospital where he has been treating patients, a supervisor is ready to grant him a professional leave, so that he can seek help. Maybe just going back to be among family and friends will do the trick. Here's hoping. Also complicating matters is the fact that Sarah was Michael's high school sweetheart and she has never married another. Will a rekindling of romance be possible? This is a nice family Christmas flick but it is not lighthearted in subject matter. Michael truly is going through an emotional crisis that has to be dealt with seriously. Also, Sarah is not certain she wants him back in town, for she is afraid her heart may be broken again. In addition, Bob is difficult to get to know well, making a hardship for the granddaughter who doesn't think her g-pa likes her very much. On the plus side, the cast members are quite fine, the setting is very lovely, while the script tackles issues with a caring story. Overall, if you want a holiday movie, this is a good one, yes, but just be in the mood for something more reflective and less light-hearted.
