Richard Curtis has carved out a space for himself as one of the greatest British screenwriters. His skills include layering multiple storylines, quirky ensembles, heartwarming romances, and sentimental events such as weddings and Christmas. His resume includes the likes ofFour Weddings and a Funeral,Love Actually, andBridget Jones. So, when I heard the screenwriter was delving into animation, I was instantly excited.
That Christmas
Cast
That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, weaves a series of interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loneliness, and family. The narrative unfolds with Santa Claus making a significant error, amidst a backdrop of numerous turkeys, capturing the essence of holiday spirit and relationships.
That Christmasis based on his children’s book trilogy, which Curtis adapted to the screen with Peter Souter and withHow To Train Your Dragon’s Simon Otto jumping aboard for his directorial debut. In true Curtis fashion, it follows a series of intertwined stories that touch on various themes such as love, family, friends, and Santa Claus.
Love Actually Lays The Groundwork For Lessons Learned
Set in the seaside village,That Christmasfollows a close-knit community hit by a blizzard that impacts everyone, including Santa. While there areshadings ofLove Actually, the film is squarely a child-friendly tale, which is not too shocking considering the source material. Curtis has statedThat Christmasresults fromthe lessons he learned fromLove Actually. Despite it being a massively popular film, he believes the complexities of layering stories got to him.
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Whether it’s the charming cast or the outlandish plot, Dear Santa is aware of what it’s going for and infuses plenty of heart alongside its humor.
Here, the stories are adapted from three storybooks, which followBrian Cox’s Santa struggling to deliver presents in the snowstorm, a set of twins who will be on different lists this year, a young boy struggling with his parents' divorce, and a few parents getting stranded by the snowstorm while away from their kids. At a 90-minute runtime, Curtis proves he learned that lesson as the stories blend seamlessly. The film moves briskly without sacrificing character and story development and ends with a satisfying conclusion that fits the spirit of the holidays.
The film does have a cheery disposition, but there is a hint of realism and acknowledgment of the sadder qualities of the holiday season that Christmas movies try to skirt around.
The film is very cute; nothing exceptional happens, but its charm is not something to scoff at. The stories are well managed as the community depicted feels lively and familiar. The animation style works well to maintain the warmth and sweetness of this sentimental and oh-so-British tale. The film is detailed in its presentation and explicit in its messaging, as it touches on emotionally mature themes like anxiety, loneliness and broken homes. Both Curtis and Otto have something to prove, and as the film comes to a close, the smiles plastered on our faces should be the sign they succeeded.
The Sweet Child-Friendly Animation Hits Hard With Its Sentimental Themes
That Christmasdoes have the makings to bea solid Christmas classic, just like the delightfulKlaus, which would pair nicely with this film. Netflix may not be the place to curate works that are meant to be enjoyed for years to come, but I digress. The film’s winning aspects rest on its dynamic voice cast, which adds texture and vibrancy to the seaside town and its story’s enduring sentiment. The deep emotional beats hit incredibly hard and the jokes often land.
But what really makesThat Christmassuch a joy to experience is the colorful details, from the writing to the scenery to the set and character designs to the atmosphere. The film does have a cheery disposition, but there is a hint of realism and acknowledgment of the sadder qualities of the holiday season that Christmas movies try to skirt around with their overly hokie antics.That Christmasis far more balanced, generous, and fun.
That Christmasis now streaming on Netflix. The film is 91 minutes long and rated PG for thematic elements, some language and rude humor.
