The romantic comedy mastermind, Richard Curtis, brings us a heartwarming tale of love and holiday cheer in his latest creation, That Christmas. This festive narrative is filled with pop music and narrated by a renowned celebrity, making it a delightful viewing experience for all ages. While it may seem overwhelming for younger viewers due to its intricate plot, the film showcases Curtis’s exceptional talent for dialogue. Adults may scoff at the occasional crude humor, but the children might find the music choices more off-putting.
The story, inspired by Curtis’s own collection of short tales, unfolds in a quaint yet modernized seaside town in Suffolk, reminiscent of Notting Hill. Santa Claus, voiced by Brian Cox, replaces Hugh Grant as the narrator, recounting the memorable events of four days leading up to Christmas. The film mirrors Love Actually with its complex network of stories and characters but Curtis self-deprecatingly allows his much-debated romcom to be the butt of the joke, even comparing it to the universally disliked chores of Christmas. This approach demonstrates Curtis’s ability to mock the cliches of feel-good films while simultaneously amplifying them.
The narrative primarily revolves around three children, starting with Danny (Jack Wisniewski), the newcomer living with his single mother, a nurse. Danny, who plays a chickpea in the school’s progressive nativity play, harbors a secret crush on the play’s shy writer, Sam (Zazie Hayhurst). Sam, on the other hand, fears that her twin sister Charlie’s rebellious behavior might land her on Santa’s naughty list.
In a peculiar turn of events, the local parents decide to attend a wedding on Christmas Eve, leaving their children in the care of Bernadette (India Brown), the teenage director of the school play. However, the snow hasn’t stopped falling, leaving the adults at the mercy of the weather. Unfazed by the circumstances, Bernadette, with a little help from Santa Claus, manages to give the children an unforgettable, non-traditional Christmas.
There’s more to the story, and even with an animated cast, Curtis’s signature storytelling is evident, particularly in the touching backstories of Danny and the formidable Miss Tapper (Fiona Shaw). Santa’s profound monologue, reminiscent of something Hugh Grant might say, serves as the most significant hint of Curtis’s involvement: “I always think that Christmas is a bit like an emotional magnifying glass. If you feel loved and happy, Christmas will make you feel happier and more loved. But if you feel alone and unloved, the magnifier gets to work. And that makes all those bad things bigger and worse.”
In essence, this monologue encapsulates the entire film and aligns perfectly with Curtis’s previous works. That Christmas, however, is slightly milder and exhibits a hint of self-awareness, possibly due to the criticism he received from his daughter regarding some inappropriate humor in his earlier works.
This criticism might have influenced the characters of Bernadette or Sam, as the school play is a “strictly vegetarian, multicultural funfest with lots of pop songs and stuff about climate change.” The shepherds are now organic farmers tending to crops of broccoli, sweetcorn, and aubergines. Whether Curtis has adopted a vegetarian lifestyle remains unclear. A Google search yields unrelated queries such as “Is Richard Curtis dead?” “Is Richard Curtis related to Tony Curtis?” and “Is Richard Curtis still making movies?”
While the answers to the first two questions are definitely no, the charming nature of Last Christmas confirms that Curtis is still at the top of his game, and his presence is indeed a delight.
FAQs
Who is Richard Curtis?
Richard Curtis is a well-known writer and director, famous for his romantic comedies like Love Actually and Notting Hill.
What is That Christmas about?
That Christmas is a heartwarming tale of love and holiday cheer, filled with pop music and narrated by Santa Claus. It unfolds in a quaint yet modernized seaside town and revolves around three children.
Is Richard Curtis a vegetarian?
It is unclear whether Richard Curtis is a vegetarian. The school play in That Christmas is a “strictly vegetarian, multicultural funfest,” which might suggest his vegetarian leanings.
Credit: deadline.com
