If you recognize familiar places and faces in “Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” that shouldn’t be surprising.

“Saint Nick of Bethlehem” is set in Bethlehem and was filmed in Bethlehem.

“The Christmas City” is a great locale for a story about a man who gets in touch with his inner Santa.

“Saint Nick of Bethlehem” is the latest area-based feature movie by Daniel Roebuck, Lehigh Valley’s Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959; legendary Hollywood filmmaker and actor).

“Saint Nick” is the fourth film that Roebuck has made in the Lehigh Valley, including “Getting Grace” (2017); “Lucky Louie” (2023), and “The Hail Mary” (in post-production).

In “Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” Nick McNulty (Daniel Roebuck) is a depressed out-of-work educator who is mourning the death of his son. Nick’s wife has left him. In his house, Nick maintains the bedroom of his son as it had been when the boy was alive.

Nick is the primary care-giver for his mother Betty (Cathy Moriarty). Betty alternately cajoles and criticizes Nick about his down-in-the mouth demeanor and lonely-guy status.

Nick’s brother Charlie McNulty (Duane Whitaker) hires him to work at his local used-car lot. Nick proves to be quite the salesman. Charlie is not impressed and uses every chance he can to belittle Nick.

Nick’s life improves when he takes a turn for the nurse, Mary (Marsha Dietlein). The two begin a friendship that blossoms into a romance. Each seems unsure of themselves in order to move the relationship forward.

At an area hospital, children who are patients there greet Nick as if he’s Santa Claus. They see him in a whole new light. Soon, Nick sees himself in a new way, too. He gets his Santa on. He’s a Santa for all seasons.

Daniel Roebuck and Spencer Folmar wrote and directed “Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” a charming new entry in the Christmas season movie canon. The dialogue is frequently amusing. Several scenes are laugh-out-loud funny. Many scenes are sweetly sentimental.

The banter between Nick (Roebuck) and his mother Betty (Moriarty) is especially true-to-life hilarious.

Moriarty (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, ”Raging Bull,” 1981, and who was in the movies “Soapdish,” 1991; “Cop Land,” 1997; “Analyze This,” 1999; “Analyze That,” 2002) gives even better than she gets. She’s a fine foil for Roebuck’s often flummoxed reactions and double-takes.

The personality conflicts between Nick (Roebuck) and his brother Charlie (Duane Whitaker) are priceless and very funny. Whitaker (“Pulp Fiction,” 1994) is great in his acerbic portrayal.

Nick (Roebuck) and Mary (Dietlein) have nice moments of gentle, shy and tentative attraction. Dietlein creates a believable romantic interest.

Roebuck (284 actor credits on IMDb, including the movies “Terrifier 3,” 2024; “The Munsters,” 2022; “The Fugitive,” 1993; “River’s Edge,” 1986; TV’s “The Man in the High Castle,” 2015-2016; “Lost,” 2005-2010; “Nash Bridges,” 1996-2000; “Matlock,” 1987-1995) is front and center in nearly every scene of “Saint Nick.”

Roebuck, Bethlehem Catholic High School graduate, Class of 1981, carries the film well with a combination of whimsy and sincerity. Even his eyes twinkle like Santa Claus.

Memorable in supporting roles are Jennifer Porrata (Sue), Timothy E. Goodwin (Reverend Jimbo), Elias Kemuel (Tucker), Stello Savante (Harvey), Kathy Patterson (Lisa), Bradford Haynes (Billy), Alixx Schottland (Dolores) and Madelyn Dundon (Evelyn).

“Saint Nick of Bethlehem” brings the joy of the holiday season in The Christmas City to the whole wide world.

“Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give “parental guidance.” May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.) for thematic elements; Genre: Drama, Family Romance; Run time: 1 hour, 33 minutes. Distributed by Hard Faith.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Saint Nick in Bethlehem” has voluminous end credits, thanking Lehigh Valley businesses, nonprofits and individuals. The movie is based on the true story of Allen Smith of Phillipsburg, N.J.

At The Movies: “Saint Nick of Bethlehem” was seen in The Roxy theater, Northampton.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, Nov. 22-24: The one-two punch of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” ended the one-week No. 1 run of “Red One,” dropping two places to No. 3 with $13.2 million in 4,032 theaters, $52.8 million, two weeks.

“Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, opened at No. 1 with $112.5 million in 3,888 theaters, biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical-based movie, besting “Into The Woods” ($31 million, 2014).

“Gladiator II,” with Ridley Scott reprising his directorial duties, opened at No. 2 with $55 million in 3,573 theaters.

4. “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin,“ about the German Lutheran theologian arrested during World War II in a plot to kill Hitler, $5 million, opening, in 1,900 theaters. 5. “Venom: The Last Dance” dropped three places, $3.8 million in million in 2,558 theaters, $133.7 million, five weeks. 6. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” dropped three places, $3.4 million in 2,279 theaters, $25.4 million, three weeks. 7. “Heretic” dropped three places, $2.2 million in 1,622 theaters, $24.7 million, three weeks. 8. “The Wild Robot” dropped three places, $2.1 million in 2,110 theaters, $140.8 million, nine weeks. 9. “Conclave” dropped two places, $1.1 million in 1,013 theaters, $29 million, five weeks. 10. “Smile 2” dropped four places, $1.1 million in 962 theaters, $67.7 million, six weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Nov. 24 is subject to change.

Unreel, Nov. 27

“Moana 2,” MPAA rated PG. David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller direct the voice talents of Freedom High School graduate Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Auli’l Cravalho, Alan Tudyk and the animation in the Adventure Comedy. Moana is summoned by her ancestors to embark on a seafaring journey.

Unreel, Nov. 29

“September 5,” R: Tim Fehlbaum directs Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro and Ben Chaplin in the History Thriller. An American sports broadcasting crew covers the Israeli athletes hostage crisis during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of Nov. 17 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes