Starring: Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Emma Thompson
Director: Paul Feig
Released: 2019
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: 12A
Box Office: $121.6 Million
Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge George Michael fan. So when I found out a Christmas film was being made named after the song and a sound track made up entirely of George Michael and Wham songs it was fair to say I was more than excited.
The film follows Kate a want to be singer, who works in a year round Christmas show and is an all round mess, ww see her throughout the film make mistake after mistake, seeing it impact her life more and more. That is until she meets the mysterious Tom, who shows her the fun side of life. We see her go on her journey and get an inside into her past and how it has shaped her into who she is today.
It has plenty of moments that will bring a tear to your eye, but just as many comedic moments to add to the feel good nature. Whether it be the witty dialogue or slapstick comedy, its very effective and works well.
One contributing factor that made this film so great was the cast Emilia Clarke plays our leading lady Kate, who we follow throughout the films and see her at her highest and lowest. Clarke really captures the role well and was the perfect choice for the film. Henry Golding plays her love interest Tom, he captures the mysterious persona but is quickly a character we are like and are interested in. The two characters have such good chemistry and we enjoy watching their story unfold. Another character I want to mention is Kates mother, played by Emma Thompson (who also co-wrote the film). Kate and her mother have a strained relationship, as her mother wants to take care of her constantly and never let her out if her sight, where as Kate wants to be her own person and live her life how she wants to. However as the film progresses we learn that Kates family has emigrated from Yugoslavia and Kates mother is in constant fear she is going to be sent back. I felt this was such a good topic to include as million of families struggle daily in Britain and this gives a slight insight to the fear they live in everyday, even at Christmas time.
I feel its only right to mention the soundtrack. It included 14 songs by George Michael and Wham! Including some classic favourites like Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Faith and of course Last Christmas , but also some less talked about favourites, like Everything She Wants, Heal the Pain and One More Try. Each scene the songs are used in fits perfectly and works seamlessly with the storyline.
My favourite scene is Kate and Tom’s first ‘date’ it shows their dynamic so well and we can really see how different their characters are. We can see the impact Tom has on Kate already and it makes us interested to see how their relationship will progress.
Overall I would highly recommend this film, its perfect to pop on, on the run up to Christmas to add that bit of Christmas cheer!
Cinema & Chapters by Peggy 