The film unravels the annual family reunion at Christmas, following the intertwining of the family’s different stories. The highly eventful Christmas Eve in which the extended family spend together, depicts what Christmas is to many people; not the sugar-coated festive experience that some may have. The film is warm, sure to get you laughing with your friends on a cold Newcastle night, and will get you in the festive mood.
The second film I find myself recommending is ‘The Holdovers’, both a touching and a laugh-out-loud hilarious film. The thought-provoking comedy follows three very different characters over the Christmas season, astray from their own families, and so form their own Christmas family. The scenes of the snowy holiday break in New England are nothing less than festive, despite Angus Tully, a young boy left at boarding school over Christmas by his mother, firmly disagreeing with this and wanting to spend his Christmas period in Boston. The dramedy will have your eyes watering with it’s achingly beautiful and touching moments, but also its hilariously funny dialogue.
And finally, how could I recommend films to watch during the Christmas season without mentioning Richard Curtis’ romcom ‘Love Actually’? Exploring the ups and downs of what it means to be in a relationship in the weeks leading up to Christmas, let yourself fall in love with the characters on the screen, and feel those Christmas feels. From the iconic Joni Mitchell scene with the tear-jerking Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant dancing in 10 Downing Street, and! that! soundtrack!, ‘Love Actually’ is the perfect film for the giving season. So grab a warm drink, light a candle, and get tucked into these festive favourites
