Best of: Christmas films
Christmas films are very important to me. Both the good and the bad (in fact, sometimes the bad are the most fun). One of my favourite things about Christmas is the ritual of watching new additions that inevitably appear on streaming services like Netflix but, mostly, re-visiting the old classics. It’s no coincidence that, even in Australia, we dream of a snow-covered Christmas, of drinking hot chocolate around the fire, of singing carols, and of wearing warm jumpers. Over the years, we’ve learned from what we see on screen, from the romance, the magic, and the sentimentality that infuses the Christmas film genre. So, in honour of that genre, here’s a list of my very favourite Christmas films.
5. Love Actually
At this point, Love Actually, the 2003 film by writer-director Richard Curtis, is integral to the Christmas movie canon. In spite of the creepy tone some of the storylines have taken on through a 2019 lens (quick reminder: don’t ever tell your best friend’s new wife that you’re in love with her via a series of handwritten signs) the film remains a romantic-comedy masterpiece. As Kyle Smith noted in his piece for the National Review, those two words, ‘romantic-comedy’ and ‘masterpiece’, aren’t often heard together. Perhaps we’re embarrassed at the notion of bestowing too much praise unto a genre that carries such shameful baggage in fear of painting our own tastes as tacky, and yet, when you pause to consider what Love Actually is—a thoughtful, endearing, and indisputably funny film—you’ll realise how rare those things are in a film. Maybe it’s the rendition of ‘All You Need is Love’ in the church wedding that opens the film, or Bill Nighy’s ridiculous Christmas music video, or Hugh Grant dancing to the Pointer Sisters at 10 Downing Street. Maybe it’s Rowan Atkinson’s enthusiastic gift-wrapping, or Emma Thompson’s poignant Joni Mitchell breakdown, or a broken Portuguese-English wedding proposal. Maybe it’s a young boy watching the girl he loves singing ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ at his school Christmas show, or the climactic airport reunions between the characters we’ve grown to know and love. Or, maybe, it’s all of those things, in unison, that make this film such a treasure.
4. The Holiday
Nancy Meyers’ 2006 The Holiday is everything you might want from a mid-2000s Christmas romcom. The film follows Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet), two women living on opposite sides of the globe who exchange houses for the holidays in order to get a new lease on life. A lot of critics have faulted the film’s predictable storyline (though I’d argue otherwise) but, honestly, it doesn’t matter much either way, because what the film might lack in innovation it compensates for with endearing characters, delightful chemistry, and scenic locations. Meyers is truly an expert in interiors, and that’s never been more evident than in The Holiday. Both environments that the characters inhabit—the English ‘countryside’ (which, we’re told, is just 40-minutes outside exciting London) where Iris lives and the lavish suburb of Brentwood, Los Angeles where Amanda lives—but the film isn’t just an exercise in aesthetics. It’s bolstered by a delightful soundtrack and vibrant performances. Eli Wallach, in particular, is both astute and charming as Arthur, an acclaimed Old Hollywood film director who lives next door to Iris during her stay in L.A. Indeed, perhaps the best dynamic of all is between Iris and Arthur, as we watch them elevate each other out of loneliness and ultimately become great friends. Is The Holiday a perfect movie? No. Is it even a good movie? Maybe not (honestly, I can’t tell anymore), but thanks to Meyers’ expert hand, it’s got beautiful décor, it’s got Jude Law as a Hot Dad, and most importantly, it’s got heart.
3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
The Home Alone franchise is extremely important in my household, or at least, the first two films are (everything afterwards is a waste of time, if you ask me). Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (2006) sees the return of Macauley Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a precocious child who mistakenly boards a plane to New York City instead of Florida, where the rest of his family are headed for the holidays. Upon landing in Manhattan, Kevin meets some familiar faces, and chaos and hilarity invariably ensue. It’s certainly not as innovative as its predecessor, but Home Alone 2 features the same relentless and ridiculous slapstick and some truly engaging performances from the likes of Tim Curry and Rob Schneider. The film is an absolute staple among my family: a cocktail of schlocky 90s music cues, bad haircuts, and romantic visions of 20th century New York. For what it’s worth, I think it’s genuinely funny, and I look forward to watching it every year.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
Frank Capra’s century-defining masterpiece It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) is perhaps the most beloved of Christmas films and, if I’m honest, it should really be number one on my list. In case you missed it, the film follows George Bailey (James Stewart in an incredible performance), a profoundly good man whose own decency prevents him from fulfilling his greatest ambition: to see the world. Instead, he’s tethered to his hometown of Bedford Falls and grows frustrated and depressed as a result. It’s a Wonderful Life is about hunger, greed, and the ways a good man is stifled, both by others and by his own self-imposed obligations. It’s about how each of us make meaningful contributions to the people in our lives, even where we don’t realise it. Mostly, though, It’s a Wonderful Life is a film about hope, and the power of connection in the face of despair.
1. Home Alone
Honestly, nothing could be an easier number one for me than Chris Columbus’ and John Hughes’ 1990 comedy marvel Home Alone. It follows Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who is mistakenly left behind by his family when they head to France for the Christmas season. Adapting to this new arrangement, Kevin learns to fend for himself and protects his house against two inept burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, giving show-stealing performances). Thanks to Hughes’ script and Columbus’s direction, the film just works and is bolstered by an array of memorable performances. Culkin, in his breakout role, has a vivid on-screen presence and is surprisingly adept when paired with seasoned comedic actors like Pesci and Stern. If that doesn’t convince you, John Candy’s cameo as a travelling Polka musician who once left his young son at a funeral parlour (entirely improvised by Candy) remains unparalleled. Ultimately, the film is tinged with nostalgia to such a degree that I can no longer discern whether it’s just good or if it’s a true masterpiece, though I’m leaning towards the latter. Part of its longevity is bound up in laughing at the movie and its characters (there are some shocking style choices) but more often with them. If there was ever a film that feels like Christmas, then this is it, and even after all this time, it still makes me laugh, and I look forward to it every year.