Amid an indifferent crowd in the snow-capped streets of Moscow, an impoverished, humble little girl struggles to eke out a living by selling matches in
Roger Allers' adaptation of
Hans Christian Andersen's original story. Up against a relentless and mighty adversary, the poor seller reluctantly decides to warm herself by using the last of her matches, and suddenly, clear and bright visions of a happy, carefree life start to envelop her. Look. There's her sweet and silver-haired grandmother. And over there. There's the family's dazzling Christmas tree. Dear God, can the fleeting but beautiful illusion be real in the morning?
—Nick Riganas