While Die Hard and Lethal Weapon often dominate discussions of alternative Christmas films, a compelling case emerges for the 1996 action thriller, The Long Kiss Goodnight. This film, starring Geena Davis as an amnesiac teacher with a hidden past, deserves recognition for its high-octane plot set against a festive backdrop.
The film, directed by Renny Harlin, followed the box office failure of Cutthroat Island. Despite the financial setback of their previous collaboration, The Long Kiss Goodnight presented an opportunity for the director and star to redefine their careers. New Line Cinema acquired the film, written by Shane Black, for a substantial $4 million, highlighting its potential.
The storyline centers around Samantha Caine, played by Davis, who has no recollection of her life prior to waking up on a beach eight years ago. Employing a down-on-his luck private investigator, Mitch Henessey, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, she seeks answers about her mysterious past. The plot thickens when an escaped convict, One-Eyed Jack, targets Samantha during the town's Christmas parade, triggering the resurgence of her forgotten, dangerous past.
