Richard Curtis’ Sweet Holiday Animation Proves He’s Learned From Love Actually

Richard Curtis has carved out a space for himself as one of the greatest British screenwriters. His skills include layering multiple storylines, quirky ensembles, heartwarming romances, and sentimental events such as weddings and Christmas. His resume includes the likes of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones. So, when I heard the screenwriter was delving into animation, I was instantly excited.

That Christmas
is based on his children’s book trilogy, which Curtis adapted to the screen with Peter Souter and with How To Train Your Dragon‘s Simon Otto jumping aboard for his directorial debut. In true Curtis fashion, it follows a series of intertwined stories that touch on various themes such as love, family, friends, and Santa Claus.

Love Actually Lays The Groundwork For Lessons Learned

Set in the seaside village, That Christmas follows a close-knit community hit by a blizzard that impacts everyone, including Santa. While there are shadings of Love Actually, the film is squarely a child-friendly tale, which is not too shocking considering the source material. Curtis has stated That Christmas results from the lessons he learned from Love Actually. Despite it being a massively popular film, he believes the complexities of layering stories got to him.

Here, the stories are adapted from three storybooks, which follow Brian Cox’s Santa struggling to deliver presents in the snowstorm, a set of twins who will be on different lists this year, a young boy struggling with his parents’ divorce, and a few parents getting stranded by the snowstorm while away from their kids. At a 90-minute runtime, Curtis proves he learned that lesson as the stories blend seamlessly. The film moves briskly without sacrificing character and story development and ends with a satisfying conclusion that fits the spirit of the holidays.

The film is very cute; nothing exceptional happens, but its charm is not something to scoff at. The stories are well managed as the community depicted feels lively and familiar. The animation style works well to maintain the warmth and sweetness of this sentimental and oh-so-British tale. The film is detailed in its presentation and explicit in its messaging, as it touches on emotionally mature themes like anxiety, loneliness and broken homes. Both Curtis and Otto have something to prove, and as the film comes to a close, the smiles plastered on our faces should be the sign they succeeded.

The Sweet Child-Friendly Animation Hits Hard With Its Sentimental Themes

That Christmas does have the makings to be a solid Christmas classic, just like the delightful Klaus, which would pair nicely with this film. Netflix may not be the place to curate works that are meant to be enjoyed for years to come, but I digress. The film’s winning aspects rest on its dynamic voice cast, which adds texture and vibrancy to the seaside town and its story’s enduring sentiment. The deep emotional beats hit incredibly hard and the jokes often land.

But what really makes That Christmas such a joy to experience is the colorful details, from the writing to the scenery to the set and character designs to the atmosphere. The film does have a cheery disposition, but there is a hint of realism and acknowledgment of the sadder qualities of the holiday season that Christmas movies try to skirt around with their overly hokie antics. That Christmas is far more balanced, generous, and fun.

That Christmas is now streaming on Netflix. The film is 91 minutes long and rated PG for thematic elements, some language and rude humor.

Pros

• A well balanced multi-story narrative about a tight-knit community
• A strong voice cast shine in a detailed and joyful holiday treat
• A charming film that doesn’t overlook sadness in favour of happiness