Toothless (1997)

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

10 Mar 2007 11:53 PM

This made-for-TV movie stars Kirstie Alley as Katherine Lewis, a single, lonely dentist who has become so wrapped up in her career that she's never taken time for relationships. When a freak accident ends her life and she finds herself in Limbo Land, between earth and heaven/hell, she is anxious to do whatever she can to redeem herself. With that, she's given the job of "Molar Procurement," to discover that she is now the Tooth Fairy.

After putting on the ridiculous costume (pink and white corseted dress, high button shoes, wand and crown) she must learn how to fly, which she picks up pretty easily, but can't seem to get the hang of landing. No matter, she'll figure it out as she goes. The important thing is that she remember that she must not talk to any mortals, and she must not interfere in their lives. The children can see her as long as they still have at least one baby tooth, and so she must go at night to avoid discovery.

Off she goes, her first night on the job. Things are going along pretty well - all she has to do is point the wand and it transforms the tooth into money. But then one boy, Bobby Jameson (Ross Malinger) wakes up and sees her.

The storyline is really quite cute. She and the boy make friends after getting off to a rough start, and he tells his friends about her. Soon the entire school is running around toothless, as they've been pulling out their teeth so they can meet the fairy and get some advice. But now, she's in trouble - she has broken all the rules and now must pay the consequences.

Which brings me to an interesting question - why is it that in these after-life movies, the angels in charge are always so grumpy? Lynn Redgrave stars as Dr. Lewis's supervisor, and she's just mean. I don't think real angels in heaven are like that, and I kept pointing out to my kids that this was all just pretend. You don't really get to Heaven on an escalator.

I didn't feel that the acting was as good as it could have been in spots - the interplay between Katherine and Bobby was stilted at first. But I enjoyed the plot and the ending was satisfying. My kids enjoyed it as well and asked to watch it three times before I returned it to the store.

This film is not rated.

Related Blogs:

Tooth Fairy Helpers

The Innocent Way Children See Things

Cinderella

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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