So, a convict is released just before Christmas after spending years in jail. He vows to leave crime behind and make up for his son for the years he has missed. And then Santa Claus looks him up after having crashed his new high tech sled. Because surely this is a man with the qualifications needed to save Christmas. No one else will suffice.
I sort of get it. It's trying that British humour thing where events are given a darker twist, which is supposed to elicit a laugh. And usually I'm a fan of that. But not during Christmas. This is a mean-spirited, depressing holiday romp, full of nasty individuals who only learn their lessons because it's a Christmas film and that's what they're supposed to do.
Plus there are defecation jokes. By reindeer. Notice the plural. One would be bad enough, but they keep coming back to it. Again. And again. And again, until you want to scream.
As for the acting... it's fine. I honestly think Jim Broadbent would make a fine Santa Claus in a more lighthearted film. Here he's horribly out of place, given the dark and twisted mood of the narrative. In fact, his gullible, wide-eyed demeanor only makes the rest of the film seem all the more depressing in contrast.
Quite honestly, if this wasn't a Christmas film, I'd probably be a lot more accepting of it. But it is. During Christmas I don't even want to think about the concept of cynicism. And this film is drenched in it. Avoid at all cost.
I sort of get it. It's trying that British humour thing where events are given a darker twist, which is supposed to elicit a laugh. And usually I'm a fan of that. But not during Christmas. This is a mean-spirited, depressing holiday romp, full of nasty individuals who only learn their lessons because it's a Christmas film and that's what they're supposed to do.
Plus there are defecation jokes. By reindeer. Notice the plural. One would be bad enough, but they keep coming back to it. Again. And again. And again, until you want to scream.
As for the acting... it's fine. I honestly think Jim Broadbent would make a fine Santa Claus in a more lighthearted film. Here he's horribly out of place, given the dark and twisted mood of the narrative. In fact, his gullible, wide-eyed demeanor only makes the rest of the film seem all the more depressing in contrast.
Quite honestly, if this wasn't a Christmas film, I'd probably be a lot more accepting of it. But it is. During Christmas I don't even want to think about the concept of cynicism. And this film is drenched in it. Avoid at all cost.