★★★☆☆

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast who has witnessed more Christmas films than I can count on one hand (and still have fingers left over), I must say that “That Christmas” is a delightful addition to the holiday movie canon. Having grown up with the likes of “Love Actually”, it’s refreshing to see Richard Curtis return to the festive spirit, but this time with a focus on the younger generation.

That Christmas is on Netflix from 4 December. Add it to your watchlist.

Although Richard Curtis has made numerous attempts to unite various characters in Love Actually, this film has sparked more disagreement than a plateful of overcooked Brussels sprouts during its tenure as a traditional Christmas viewing. As a writer (working with Peter Souter), Curtis returns to holiday-themed stories following the gloomy Genie from 2023. With British animation studio Locksmith Animation adapting his three children’s Christmas books, Curtis manages to evoke a sense of festive harmony more effectively. This production, while somewhat sugary sweet, is endearing and features an emotional outcome that follows the familiar Curtis recipe but incorporates perfect amounts of cheerfulness, joviality, and poignancy.

In the aftermath of a sick reindeer, portrayed by Guz Khan, Santa, played by Brian Cox, under pressure, ventures to the quaint English coastal town of Wellington-on-Sea. This town is swamped with issues as children, teens, and adults are experiencing a whirlwind of troubles. A fresh arrival, Danny (Jack Wisniewski), grapples with unrequited affection for Sam (Zazie Hayhurst) while dealing with familial problems – his parents are divorced, his mother works exhausting hours as a nurse, and his father might not return for Christmas. Meanwhile, Sam battles to control the mischief of her twin brother Charlie (Sienna Sayer), to prevent him from landing on Santa’s naughty list. Lastly, young Bernadette (India Brown) is saddled with the responsibility of supervising her siblings and other children when their parents get stuck during poor weather conditions.

The movie “That Christmas” often showcases Bernadette’s innovative approach to family celebrations amidst problems, which is characteristic of films that celebrate children’s creativity, resilience, and adaptability. Similar to Love Actually, this film uses Christmas as a lens to intensify emotions, following various characters as they connect, disconnect, act impulsively, and reunite. Unlike the 2003 classic, it avoids certain tones that were perceived as bitter or uncomfortable in the original. While there are similarities between the protagonist Danny and Hugh Grant from the ’90s, “That Christmas” stands out with its soft-heartedness, reflecting the innocence of its child characters.

Despite its charming character, the town also has a modern, diverse feel, Curtis. Simon Otto, known for leading character animation on the “How to Train Your Dragon” series and first-time director, ensures this is reflected. The film subtly addresses topics such as childhood mental health issues and climate anxiety. The story begins with a progressive play performed by Sam and mixed-race director Bernadette, which sets the stage for the characters in an innovative manner. The film’s appealing voice cast brings these characters to life, with Whittaker and Wisniewski creating a heartwarming mother-son dynamic. Fiona Shaw provides subtle depth as Ms. Trapper, a strict teacher who forms a careful bond with Danny over his struggles to build a snowman, leading to some thoughtfully developed plot twists.

The creative elements found in this movie are often typical and outstanding. The humor can be gentle and wide-ranging, with a joke using a whoopee cushion as an example. However, other smart and whimsical ideas span from using Post-It notes as a communication tool to a scene reminiscent of Aardman Animations featuring a hungry fox and a group of escape turkeys. The adults being trapped in a camper van during snowfall seems more artificial, but it serves a purpose by allowing the children to humorously avoid — in a clever nod to self-awareness — watching that “beloved old Christmas movie” their parents always play at this time of year. Can you guess which one?

The results earn plenty of goodwill, despite the predictable inclusion of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran songs. Superior musical work is served by composer John Powell, who follows Otto from the How to Train Your Dragon films with a twirling score that matches the film nicely: spry, breezy and poignant, both charm and disarm in roughly equal measure.

2024-12-03 00:03

That Christmas review: Richard Curtis’s animation is twee but with a winning formula

★★★☆☆

Read More