CHRISTMAS MOVIE REVIEW: The Snowman

 

The Snowman is a short film based on Raymond Briggs' picture book. It was first broadcast four years after the book was published and has been an annual staple of the British Christmas T.V. schedule ever since. As with "Father Christmas", this is the first time I've watched it.

It starts out on a winter morning when it has been snowing. James, a little boy, runs out and builds a snowman. At midnight, the snowman comes to life and James shows him around the house. Then, the snowman takes James on a magical journey where they fly over to the snowmen party where the boy also meets Father Christmas (the same one as from the other animation).

During the whole 26 minutes, not one word is spoken. The story is told by the visuals, orchestral music and the iconic song "We're Walking In The Air". The music is beautiful and the way it helps the tale along reminds me of "Peter and the Wolf". The animation look just like the books illustrations have come to life. I really like the hand-drawn quality of it. You can see all the lines and shadings move, making it look very lively and full of character.

  

"The Snowman" has a very different mood than "Father Christmas". While the latter is cheerful and cosy, I felt a kind of melancholy all throughout "The Snowman". I wasn't really quite sure what to think about it. I wasn't sure if I even liked the story. James seems like a sweet and lonely boy. When the snow comes in the morning he's playing by himself and has no friends there to have snowball fights with. Because of that the ending seems even more poignant and the whole story feels very bitter-sweet. Now James found such a wonderful friend, they only had so little time to spend together. I think maybe that's the reason why this story is so special to so many people. It shows that you really have to live in those magical moments and cherish the people you care about, whether as a child or adult, when they happen because they'll be gone before you know it. In the morning James still has the scarf he got from Santa, reminding him of his special adventures with his friend, just like anyone will have memories or even items left over from their childhood, their friendships to remind them of their importance and reality.

For myself, I'm still not certain whether I'd want to watch it every Christmas because it so much struck a chord with me, as I think it will do with anyone really. That is also the exact reason why this is such a good story, it tells a lot and makes you feel so much in such little time. Definitely one I think everyone should watch at some point, but maybe not make it the only feature during your celebrations.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE REVIEW: Father Christmas

This beautifully animated short based on 1970's picture books written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs is a British Christmas classic. This is the first time I've seen it, but probably everyone over the age of 25 in the U.K. is familiar with it. Actually, this Christmas Eve it will be 20 years since it first aired.

"Father Christmas" shows us what Santa Claus does on his time off all the rest of the year. This year he decides to go on holiday. We follow him to France, Scotland and Las Vegas, until he has to go back to prepare for Christmas Eve.

 

What I loved about this story is that Father Christmas (voiced by British comedian and director Mel Smith) seems so human and real. He likes food, booze and girls. In Las Vegas he even gambles a little. While just stating it like that, it might sound a bit crude but it's quite the opposite. Santa is a sweet, cheerful old man who knows how to enjoy life. All his misadventures have cute and funny outcomes that both kids and adults will chuckle at. The hand-drawn animation is full of warmth and personality, everything look so cosy and Christmassy, it makes me want to put on a cheesy reindeer sweater and cuddle up on the sofa with a hot cup of cocoa.

 In the U.S. a sanitized version was released where all the smoking, drinking, show-girls and even Santa's bum was edited out. I can just imagine how much this will have ruined the movie. It erases all that Father Christmas is and enjoys and you're left with nothing. Well, I guess you're left with a typical American goody-two-shoes Hallmark postcard version, but who would prefer that? I doubt any kids will.

"Father Christmas" is a silly story full of heart that for the 28 minutes it runs, kind of makes you believe in Santa Claus again. So, if you're planning on watching it this December, make sure to get the original version and you'll be in for a treat. I loved it!

Next up: Another Raymond Briggs classic: "the Snowman". 

HOLIDAY MOVIE REVIEW: The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

'The Shop Around The Corner' is set at Matuschek's, a little shop in Budapest. Alfred Kralik, the clerk and Clara, the newly hired sales girl don't at all get along in real life but unknowingly fall in love with each other through anonymous correspondence.

'You've Got Mail' was based around this movie, and the basic idea of the two is of course the same, but while the newer movie has the added drama of a big corporation attempting to takeover smalltown America, 'The Shop Around The Corner' has a more intimate, down-to-earth setting.

The characters are charming and the interaction between Mr Matuschek and his staff is realistic and lends itself to a lot of subtle but laugh out loud jokes that anyone who's worked in retail will certainly relate to. The writing is great, with the obvious plot twist being revealed earlier on so that the film can focus on how Alfred and Clara deal with the outcome and whether or not they can get over their initial dislike of each other and see the person they fell for through their letters.

I think what makes 'The Shop Around The Corner' so great is the chemistry between awkward everyman James Stewart and uptight and intellectual Margaret O'Sullavan. Their arguments are feisty but not overblown, and whenever they are on screen together you can't wait to see the sparks fly.


The supporting cast, including the precocious delivery boy Pepi and highly-strung Pirovitch are also excellent and really brings the atmosphere of the store to life, adding to the charm of this delightful romantic comedy. While so many other films in this genre struggle to combine the heartwarming with the hilarious, this one does so effortlessly and is extremely enjoyable as a result.

With it's emotional climax taking place on Christmas Eve, this is the perfect movie to get any classic cinema lover in the mood for the upcoming holidays.