This Is Christmas

Love Actually, Die Hard and this little British gem. Believable characters, human stories of coming together at a time of year when hope and kindness are paramount. Not earth shattering just a nice little Christmas film in the tradition of those other Christmas favourites we'll be happy to roll out every year. No huge stars, no huge special effects, just human stories woven into a commuter train community who traditionally can barely pass a nod to people they see every day; and apparently could care even less about. No bah humbug from me. Just get the drinks and chocolates and maybe a few hankies handy.

I'm so frustrated by all of the hyperbolic reviews on IMDB these days; 1's & 10's are very rare in movies. This is neither. I'd give it a 6.75 but, I'm rounding up. We haven't had a decent new Christmas movie in a while and this is just that. The plot is sweet without being treacle. The acting and directing are good; not great. The ensemble chemistry is charming. And the script is predictable in the way we want our holiday movies to be. This isn't Love Actually but, it isn't Hallmark or Lifetime either. It is a nice movie that made me smile. If you like warm and fuzzy during the holidays, then this is for you.

Adam one day breaks the commuter code, and dares to speak to his fellow travellers, and worse, invites them to a Christmas party.

It's a gorgeous story of human interaction, human relationships, and I know it sounds horrendously corny, but the spirit of Christmas. Every single character is rich, deep and has a real story to tell.

I can relate, having commuted on a train for seven years of my life, and I truly get this story, maybe writer Alastair Galbraith used to do the daily commute.

It's a love story, it's a comedy, it's so much more than that, I found it rather an enchanting watch, I got into it straight away, and found the characters so rich.

What a cast list, what an astonishing wealth of British talent here, so many favourites, Timothy Spall, Kaya (glorious) Scodelario, Joanna Scanlan, Ben Miller and many more.

Alfred Enoch, fabulous, imagine that smile coming at you on a train, there's nothing you wouldn't agree to, he's such a lovely actor, such a different type of character for him to play, compare him in this to How to get away with murder.

Maybe the best thing I sat down to in Christmas 2022.

9/10.

An interesting thing.

On the one hand 'This is Christmas' is ultra, military grade, extra mature cheddar cheese and I've rarely been as uncomfortable watching a scene as I was during the initial speech on the train by Alfred Enoch's Adam - that sorta stuff, fake positivity/togetherness, is just something that makes me cringe, I can't help it.

However, in fairness, the film actually manages to play it off well. I was fearing the worst at that aforementioned moment, though as the scenes go by the characters actually do feel like they are getting to know each other in a relatively believable way - therefore making the earlier cringe actually befitting, given it would initially be awkward.

The cast help the film come to life in that way. Alfred Enoch is good value in the lead role, as is Kaya Scodelario alongside. I wouldn't say they have amazing chemistry, but what's there is most definitely enough. Timothy Spall chews the heck out the scenery, but eventually his character's story is probably my standout - as he is predominantly joined onscreen by Jack Donoghue, who plays his role nicely. The rest of 'em? All decent.

It made me cringe early on, but I did end up liking and respecting the message that it sends. Overall, it's solid Xmas viewing.

Perhaps because I am British I find it easier to relate to the characters who are all superbly acted than I do in USA made movies. Great mix of characters and back stories made this a enjoyable movie to watch as a family.

Excellent cast of actors who made the characters come alive as the film progresses and made them all seem real. Yes the storyline between Adam and Emma is very predictable but it does not spoil the movie.

The whole movie seemed to be genuinely sincere and not too cheesy or over sentimental and not your usual Christmas movie.

Loved seeing the different London locations.

I highly recommend this movie.