VOD film review: This Is Christmas (2022)
Review Overview
Cast
8Charm
8Ivan Radford | On 24, Dec 2022
Director: Chris Foggin
Cast: Alfred Enoch, Kaya Scodelario, Alexandra Roach, Sarah Niles, Joanna Scanlan, Nadia Parkes, Robert Emms, Timothy Spall, Jeremy Irvine, Ben Miller, Steve Oram
Certificate: 12
There are so many Christmas movies around today that it’s easy to scroll past the ones that look like you’ve seen them before – to do so with This Is Christmas, though, would be to miss out on the most unexpectedly charming festive films of 2022. The film follows Adam (Alfred Enoch), the co-owner of a struggling advertising agency, as he tries to make it through to Christmas, commuting back and forth from small-town Langton to the big smoke of London. Also on his train is Emma (Kaya Scodelario), a chef who’s about to move to the USA with her partner.
There are no points for guessing where this duo’s destination lies. There are, however, bonus rewards for anyone who sticks around for the journey, because there are some mature, moving stops on route, taking us refreshingly further and further away from rom-com territory. That’s partly thanks to the script’s central conceit, which sees Adam and Emma – both jaded a bit with their repetitive routines and unhappy relationships – not only take a shine to each other but also start to talk to the passengers sitting around them. Soon enough, Adam’s decided to throw a Christmas commuter party for their carriage, inviting all their fellow travellers along.
As the day of the do approaches, we spend enough time with each passenger for them to make an emotional impact – from Timothy Spall’s mournful Ray to Jack Donoghue’s shy but thoughtful designer Dean. Joanna Scanlan will move you to tears with her gentle arc, while Ben Miller is perfectly cast as a brusque businessman who gradually softens. The result is a winning ensemble piece that could feel contrived or cheesy, but carries just the right amount of depth and is handled with a suitably light touch.
Director Chris Foggin keeps the pace moving without rushing into farce or loud set pieces, but the whole thing wouldn’t stay on track without the lead couple. Kaya Scodelario convincingly balances concerns about her own life with compassion for strangers, while Alfred Enoch manages the impossible task of being idealistic and earnest without being annoying. Together they’re a heartwarming pair, both using the idea of throwing a Christmas bash to work they way through their respective crises. The result is a Christmas comedy with genuine emotional stakes that might not leave you chatting to everyone around you on the train – but will make sure you don’t skip by this Christmas gem every December.