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The charmless disappointment of 'Last Christmas'
Inspired by the Christmas song of the same name, the movie hits a rather disappointing note.
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'Last Christmas', inspired by the song of the same name, hits a rather disappointing note. (Universal Pictures/File)
C
hristmas-themed romantic comedies have become one of the things to expect near the end of the year. The year's unfinished goals, unresolved issues and abandoned objectives can perhaps be cushioned and soothed by a seasonal, predictable, heartwarming story. Streaming services provide limitless titles, while cinemas offer some options as well.
This year, one of those options is Last Christmas, directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters remake) and written by Emma Thompson, Greg Wise and Bryony Kimmings. It tells the story of Kate (Emilia Clarke), once a talented singer who now works in a year-round Christmas shop in London’s Covent Garden, owned by a feisty boss who’s called Santa (Michelle Yeoh). Kate leads a messy, frustrated life after a serious illness with a side of tricky relationships with her immigrant mother (Thompson) and friends. When she meets a charming stranger Tom (Henry Golding) who seems intent on making Kate see the good in life, her days begin to take turn for the better.
With the twist that some have seen coming – it has circulated in the comments section of the movie’s trailer on YouTube since it was launched (watch at your own risk) – the most baffling element in the movie is that it was co-written by Thompson. Known as one of the most acclaimed British actors, she received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility in 1995. She is the first Oscar recipient to win awards for both writing and acting, the latter for Howard’s End in 1993. Her wit and intellect are unmistakable, but Last Christmas is a disappointing dud.
There are acerbic one-liners with Thompson’s fingerprints all over them, as well as attempts to be inclusive and “woke” with mentions of Brexit, immigrants and a queer relationship. But the comedic bits are often awkward, and they feel forced. They are lost in a jumble of half-baked notions and perched on a Christmas tree with questionable trinkets and blinding lights for us to gaze at to no avail.
Read also: Late pop idol George Michael returns with new song
Clarke’s performance is fine, and while her chemistry with Golding might take some will to believe, it is tolerable. Less believable are Yeoh and Thompson, whose characters act more as caricatures.
The movie title borrows from the famous song by Wham!, and the film presents a slew of George Michael songs as well, including “Praying for Time”, “One More Try” and “Heal the Pain”. But apart from “Last Christmas”, which is mostly heard in snippets, the songs are never fully explored.
There is a George Michael sticker on the suitcase Kate drags around as her life seems to crumble, yet there is never any explanation of her relationship with his music. The songs are presented briefly and cut off before we can muster any emotion, and there is always the sense that they don’t match the Christmas vibes of the movie. And if we want to be truly picky, “Last Christmas” is mostly about regret and resentment rather than jolly, Christmasy feelings.
Is Last Christmas predictable and heartwarming? Some may argue so, although I find it more on the disheartening side.
