REVIEW: Universal Pictures Gets Into The Holiday Spirit With Last Christmas

Last Christmas, starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, is an aesthetically beautiful holiday film that doesn’t quite hit the mark like romantic comedies from holiday’s past. Kate is a disgruntled, cynical young woman working as an elf at a year-round Christmas store. Her life has been askew since overcoming a serious illness a few years before. At odds with her family, and her potential singing career slowly going down the drain, Kate is coping in some very unhealthy ways. After a chance meeting with a handsome gentleman outside of where she works in London, Kate begins to learn that sometimes the first step to getting life back together this holiday season starts with finding yourself.

Clarke is endlessly charming on the big screen. There is an energy around her that perfectly captures the holiday spirit, angst and all, and wraps it up in a nice present. Golding is what every leading man should strive to be, but without all the effort. He exudes allure and makes every scene look entirely effortless. He is so eye-catching on screen, you’ll leave the theater wishing he was the lead in every movie.

Emma Thompson and Michelle Yeoh support the leads as Kate’s tightly-wound mother, and boss at the Christmas shop, respectively. Yeoh is especially underused as her character’s story arc adds more joy to a holiday film that struggles at times. Thompson, who co-wrote the screenplay, does well to bring to life a mother who hasn’t quite accepted her child has survived a life-threatening experience.

Last Christmas has all the factors to be a holiday classic, but it falls short during execution. The story between Kate and Tom feels too rushed at times while the secondary plots, that should have helped push the story along, slow the pace to a crawl. The story itself never quite lands and the focus on Kate finding new meaning again is skimmed over. The music of George Michael is used throughout, hence the name, yet never quite fits the scene.

Last Christmas relies on pure holiday magic. There is still a bit of cheese and predictability in this film but isn’t that the whole point of holiday films like this? Shouldn’t audiences leave with a warm feeling in their hearts? Last Christmas does this and more.

Grade: B-