THAT CHRISTMAS (NETFLIX) (2024)

SYNOPSIS: Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! 

MOVIE REVIEW:

The latest Netflix’s Christmas themed animation is written by none other than Richard Curtis, the man behind the all-time Christmas holiday movie, Love Actually. In fact, That Christmas is based on three different English children’s books written by Curtis and directed by Simon Otto, a veteran animator.

While for sure it’s a Christmas animation, Santa (Brian Cox) and his sarcastic reindeer sidekick (Guz Khan) are not the main leads here. What we have here are three different heartwarming storylines reminiscent of a junior version of Love Actually.

In a small English town called Wellington-On-The-Sea, a massive snowstorm is arriving on Christmas Day. Danny Williams, the new kid in town has to spend the holiday season alone while her mother (Jodie Whitaker), a nurse has been called into work on Christmas Eve and Day. Twin sisters Samantha (Zazie Hayhurst) and Charlie (Sienna Sayer) are always on the lookout for each other. Sam is worried that Charlie is going to be on Santa’s naughty list giving her extroverted nature while Charlie is making sure things are going right for Sam. Spunky teenager Bernadette (India Brown) has to help look after a bunch of younger children including her toddler sister while their parents embarked on a trip to attend a wedding.

The narrative generously explores themes of loneliness, love and sharing through the perspectives of the various young leads. There is almost a bit of everything in That Christmas as each storyline has something meaningful to say. Serious topics are discussed liked Danny’s father supposedly left the family for a younger woman and her mother’s devotion to take care of her ailing patient while Ms. Trapper (Fiona Shaw), the stern teacher of Danny actually has a sad backstory of her own.

Despite the seriousness at times, Santa and his reindeer pops in with their silly antics to explain why it’s their toughest night ever. The parents who are stranded in a snowstorm after the wedding ceremony delivers some funny dialogue while waiting to be rescue. Not forgetting a bunch of turkeys who are running away from a hungry fox. Oh there is a new song by Ed Sheeran and other familiar tunes by Dua Lipa and Coldplay.

We get it. That Christmas might not appeal to everyone. Perhaps there simply isn’t enough Santa and reindeer. The storylines on the whole are not exactly light-hearted or pander to the younger crowds. Still, a different sort of Christmas animation is any day better than a conventional one. The animation produced by Locksmith Animation and DNEG Animation is amazing by the way if you are a fan of 3D animation.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee