That Christmas (2024, dir. Simon Otto)

by Jack Martin | Dec 4, 2024

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 92 mins

UK Distributor: Netflix

UK Release Date: 4 December 2024

WHO’S IN THAT CHRISTMAS?

Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot, Rhys Darby, Deborah Findlay, Alicia Davies, Isabella Hopkins, Luke Jameson, Dermot O’Leary, Simon Otto, Jordan North, Mary Moss

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

Simon Otto (director), Richard Curtis and Peter Souter (writers), Aaron Dem, Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy (producers), John Powell (composer), Sim Evan-Jones (editor)

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Santa (Cox) oversees a collection of festive-themed stories…

WHAT ARE MY THOUGHTS ON THAT CHRISTMAS?

In a moment that I cannot tell whether it’s a sly in-joke or a bit of self-indulgence, a group of young characters in That Christmas – co-written by Richard Curtis, and based on his and Rebecca Cobb’s collection of festive-themed children’s stories – begrudgingly sit down to watch Love Actually, arguably the most popular film of writer-director Curtis’s career, as their annual Christmas movie viewing. There are many implications to this, namely the fact that at numerous points in these kids’ lives, they have watched a decisively non-child friendly film with topless dry-humping and Bill Nighy swearing up a storm while telling children to become famous, so they’ll get drugs for free.

But then, there’s also the fact that the film is seen as an example of dull Christmas tradition, something so synonymous with the holiday that merely sitting down to watch it is a tiresome cliché. Obviously, That Christmas doesn’t go so far as to say the beloved film shouldn’t be watched at all (because I highly doubt Curtis would want to dissuade viewers of any age from his own work), especially since director Simon Otto’s animated feature kind of plays like a much more family-friendly version of Love Actually, except with a much larger emphasis on Christmas instead of the rom-com stuff. However, in mere comparison to this chaotic and slightly obnoxious family film, Love Actually feels like a slightly much more appropriate film to put on for the family – yes, even with all the occasional boobs.

The film takes place in the English coastal town of Wellington-on-Sea, where a number of characters – many of them young children – are going through their own festive crises. First, we have Danny (Jack Wisniewski), whose mother (Jodie Whittaker) is an overworked nurse that regularly leaves her son to fend for himself, all while he waits for his absent father to show up for the holidays, and even spends some quality time with his stern yet ultimately lonely headmistress Miss Trapper (Fiona Shaw).

Then, there’s the case of twin sisters Sam (Zazie Hayhurst) and Charlie (Sienna Sayer), with the former worried about the fact that the latter is basically Bart Simpson – pulling off various pranks, causing mayhem at turkey farms, and generally being the naughtiest child in existence – which could ultimately effect both of their stockings due to Charlie’s prominence on the naughty list.

Finally, imaginative teen Bernie (India Brown) is left to rewrite her family’s traditional Christmas along with her younger relatives, after their parents become stranded in the increasingly dangerous blizzard that is engulfing the town.

All of this, incidentally, is narrated by none other than Santa Claus himself (as voiced by Brian Cox), who becomes aware of the town’s problems and attempts to solve them with the pure power of Christmas… but not without making a couple of near-fatal errors in the process.

While the intentions are clearly good, and Curtis does pour plenty of heart into his multiple narratives, That Christmas ultimately falls into a number of modern-day family movie traps that make it a little tedious to sit through as an adult. It is the kind of children’s film that heavily favours a more childish view of the world, one where things such as washing dishes after Christmas lunch and working long gruelling hours to support one’s family are practically seen as crimes against humanity, and that all which truly matters – especially at Christmas – is a mixture of presents, junk food, and causing havoc in the snow. It’s one thing to appeal directly towards its target audience, who might well be at that age where they don’t want to think about all the boring grown-up stuff, but it’s another to leave the notion on its impressionable young viewers that being somewhat selfish and naughty and indulging in all sorts of sugary snacks are ultimately the solution to certain problems, with precious few consequences to speak of as some of the most pressing matters are resolved almost too easily. From a more mature perspective, it doesn’t feel entirely right to have a Christmas film aimed at kids that imparts its festive wisdom without actually teaching them a whole lot about what the spirit of the holiday is actually all about.

You can also very much tell that this is a Richard Curtis movie because his distinguishable voice is everywhere in this film, right down to the dialogue that always feels as though it should be followed by a sitcom laugh track. The problem is, nearly every character in this film speaks in the exact same manner, from the endless quips to the smarmy put-downs, all but robbing them of their individuality as it never sounds like you’re hearing these people talk, but rather Curtis himself using them as mouthpieces for his own trains of thought. Curtis is at least a good enough writer that he can score a couple of amusing laughs every now and then, but when almost every single person in this film talks and acts no different to one another, with few actual moments where they get to be actual people, it can get tiresome very quickly.

All of that being said, in addition to all the other flaws that I simply do not have the time or space to fully describe in this review, That Christmas does have a good few qualities for it to at least pass off as a relatively watchable festive family movie. The animation is often quite striking to look at, crafted by the talented team at Locksmith (the company behind Ron’s Gone Wrong) who create a very festive environment throughout the film with the constant snow and bright Christmas lights, with even scenes set during a nighttime snowstorm looking dazzling and at times even intense. The voice acting is fine, particularly among the younger performers who all do what they can with material where, once again, they all come off as Curtis surrogates than actual characters. Most of all, for all the personal problems I have with this movie, I can still see families enjoying it well enough, for its heart is in the right place and it has plenty of silly moments to keep the young ones fairly entertained.

Maybe it’s just the old grump in me, though, that found That Christmas a bit less charming than others undoubtedly will.

SO, TO SUM UP…

That Christmas sees Richard Curtis adapt his collection of festive children’s stories into a heartfelt and plentiful family outing, though its chaotic and slightly irresponsible execution renders it a little obnoxious for anyone over a certain age.