Shadows on the Wall | That Christmas

That Christmas

dir Simon Otto
scr Richard Curtis, Peter Souter
prd Nicole P Hearon, Aaron Dem, Adam Tandy
voices Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Bill Nighy, Jack Wisniewski, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, India Brown, Guz Khan, Rosie Cavaliero, Andy Nyman, Rhys Darby
release UK 29.Nov.24,
US 6.Dec.24
24/UK Netflix 1h32

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There's nothing particularly original about this animated Christmas adventure, from the rather standard digital animation to a script that mixes witty jokes with sappy sentiment. But there are some enjoyably barbed touches along the way, which help make the movie funny and emotionally involving. And because it never veers from the holiday formula, it feels as comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy afternoon.

In the village of Wellington-on-Sea in Suffolk, Father Christmas (Cox) spots various problems that need addressing as he delivers his gifts with the help of his reindeer Dasher (Khan) and lighthouse keeper Bill (Nighy). New at school, young teen Danny (Wisniewski) is struggling to fit in, missing his overworked mother (Whittaker) and absent father. He also has a crush on Sam (Hayhurst), whose naughty twin Charlie (Sayer) might not get anything in her stocking. Meanwhile, Bernadette (Brown) finds herself in charge of a group of kids when their parents get stuck in the snow.

Running gags abound, from an escaped flock of turkeys trying to evade a fox to the rather creepy turkey farmer (Kaye) looking for ways to fleece his neighbours of their cash. There's also the harsh teacher Ms Trapper (Shaw), who enjoys her loner lifestyle but finds herself drawn into Danny's adventure. The ensemble of characters is enormous, and each person is a bundle of chirpy personality quirks.

Using the standard digital cartoon designs, the animators have fun with the school Christmas play, snowball fights, childish anarchy and lots of amusing references to holiday classics, including several pointed jabs at Curtis' own Love Actually. The script is a bit overwritten, with its nonstop chatter of dialog, tidy plot strands, chaotic but controlled action, throwaway punchlines and several moments deliberately designed to tug on the heart strings.

Thankfully, there's a whiff of genuine suspense along the way, and also a nice twist on the usual messages about family and community. Although there's a somewhat odd hint that Sam's anxiety is a flaw that can be overcome by a boyfriend. Pushing preteens into romance like this is a little worrying, even if it's the expected narrative trajectory. But of course everything ends on a silly, happy note, so it's best not to think too deeply about this.

themes, language, violence 18.Nov.24

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