The holiday movie season is upon us, bringing with it the usual wave of festive flicks, and this year, one film stands out: That Christmas. Directed by Richard Curtis, famed for past classics like Love Actually and Notting Hill, this new Netflix release promises to deliver warmth and charm, even if early reviews suggest it may not fully hit the mark.
That Christmas, which debuts on December 4, is based on Curtis's own series of illustrated children’s books and has garnered attention not just for its story, but for its visual appeal. Set against the backdrop of the fictional seaside village of Wellington-on-Sea, the film portrays the lives of families coping with the challenges of the holiday season, including the unexpected arrival of snow, which complicates Christmas plans dramatically.
The story revolves around familiar holiday tropes—single parents, children with big wishes, and the quintessential Christmas chaos. A standout character includes Santa, voiced by Brian Cox, whose airborne antics are hampered by the blizzard. The film features children dealing with their own sets of Christmas trials, with one boy fearing he won't see his divorced dad, alongside twin girls caught up in mischief relating to Santa's list.
Curtis’s signature humor is evident, with self-referential nods to his previous works. Yet many viewers might find it lacking the layers of depth and humor they’ve come to expect from Curtis’s storytelling. According to The Guardian’s film critic Peter Bradshaw, That Christmas leans heavily on sugary sweetness, possibly aiming more for the family market than those seeking Curtis's classic romantic comedy style. Bradshaw mentions, "The sugar content is too high, and there were times when we are in the realms of the precious and the twee."
Families familiar with Curtis's earlier films may find some moments reminiscent. The animated style combined with traditional storytelling does create moments of nostalgia, especially for those who adored Love Actually. But is nostalgia enough to captivate today's audience, particularly children accustomed to more diverse storytelling through animated films like Paddington and Wallace & Gromit? The early indications suggest this could be a mixed bag.
Adding to the film’s prospect is the promotional music video by Ed Sheeran for his new single “Under the Tree,” which contributes to the film's marketing strategy. The music video showcases Sheeran's reflective side, as he narrates through music what this time of year can evoke. The backdrop blends harmoniously with clips from the animated film, tying together the themes of love, longing, and Christmas spirit. Ed shared his excitement about the collaboration on social media, stating, "Richard Curtis made my fav Christmas film, and [he] asked me to make a song for it. How could I resist?"
Sheeran also touched on the emotional depths explored within That Christmas, particularly themes about familial connections and the heartache of separation, sentiments many families can relate to during the festive period. “This song is written about a character who wants to spend Christmas with his dad but doesn’t get to. It’s something so many people go through every year being alone at Christmas,” he explained. This delicate take on the holiday season might resonate, providing viewers with both entertainment and moments of poignant reflection.
Whether That Christmas will succeed at the box office or not remains to be seen. Currently, critics are divided, with some embracing the softhearted tale as perfect for families, especially those with young children, and others decrying it as unable to reach the heights of its predecessors. It begs the question—has the holiday film genre evolved to such levels of expectation, or is the charm of simplicity still potent during this busy season?
For families pondering their Christmas viewing options, That Christmas offers classic themes presented anew, albeit with the cautious suggestion from critics to manage expectations. Only time will tell if this film captures the hearts of viewers, or if it fades quietly from holiday rotations, especially as December brings more film and streaming options to discover.
With the festive spirit roaring back to life, families and friends can find cheer not just through films like That Christmas, but through the joy of being together, celebrating warmth and connection during the most wonderful time of the year.
