A few films that capture the incarnation
As we rush pell-mell into the Yuletide season, I can't help but notice that the local video store has once again cordoned off an area of Christmas-themed movies. These are intended to siphon cash from our wallets while filling our heads and hearts with good cheer, if not visions of dancing sugarplums.
On such shelves there are classic movies to be found, but the evidence that holiday magic is harder to come by is suggested by such recent anemic efforts as Fred Clause (2007), Deck the Halls (2006), Christmas With the Kranks (2004), and…well, you get the idea. They typify the trend of shallow scripts and silly storylines.
Roger Ebert, as far back as 1996, in his review of Jingle All the Way (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), wrote, "There was once a time when family movies at Christmastime were about kindly old St. Nick and peace on Earth, but as Christmas struggles to widen its lead in the holiday-shopping sweepstakes, products and not sentiments are what turn kids on," (rogerebert.com). This season I wonder anew what makes for a worthy Christmas film.
A vicarious experience is certainly part of the equation. In my multiple viewings of It's A Wonderful Life (1946), I have always been able to identify with George Bailey's (Jimmy Stewart) character. Who doesn't have unfulfilled dreams or sometimes feel trapped by duty and responsibilities? Further, valuing our lives by the simple criteria of dependability and reliability is a tonic we could all use. Finally, Zuzu's petals in the film's climax remind us of the potential for wonder that exists in the ordinary—if we have eyes to see it.
I have a friend whose family tradition includes attending a Christmas Eve service, feasting on holiday fare and collectively watching the definitive version of A Christmas Carol (1951) with Alistair Sim. He loves this film, as do I, because the astounding transformation that takes place in Ebeneezer Scrooge is fully realized in Sim's performance. On Christmas morning when he dances around his draughty room as light as a feather and giddy as a school boy, we see the profound hope that his life has changed, not just for Christmas, but for the other 364 days as well.
I have added two more recent titles to my own list of Holiday favourites, and while it's too early to predict if they'll earn the designation of classics, they have enriched my enjoyment of the season.
Making the grade by virtue of its Christmastime setting and themes is Millions (2004), directed by the same Danny Boyle who carted home all that Oscar hardware for Slumdog Millionaire (2007). Seven-year old Damian (Alex Etel) is a boy with as pure a heart as you'll ever see projected on screen; he converses with saints and suddenly acquires a windfall of cash—literally from out of the blue. His impulsive generosity is challenged by his older brother who has more sophisticated plans for the money. All this develops against the backdrop of the Christmas season where the juxtaposition of money's allure and the intrinsic joy of giving are naturally contrasted. This film is not Hollywood styled, which adds to its delight. One viewing tip: if you find U.K. accents a little hard to follow, try watching it with subtitles.
Speaking of subtitles, Joyeux Noel (2006) is a French production with multilingual storylines and dialogue that also packs a powerful punch for Christmas viewing. It's a film based on a historical fact—the impromptu ceasefire observed by many opposing combatants over the Christmas of 1914 during the first World War. It is neither sentimental nor populated with caricatures. The realization of peace on earth and goodwill to all, if even for a brief time in that context, is as powerful a statement against the futility of war as can be found in the canon of cinema.
These films will endure in some measure because of their prominent themes of hope and redemption. From chains of self-focus and despair, humans are released to live, not perfect lives, but meaningful ones. Indeed, the message that resounds in these films is the same one that emerges from a manger in Bethlehem—the incarnation of hope and redemption for all humankind.
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