An unexpectedly wonderful Christmas gem

A festive movie offering from the United Kingdom, 2022's This Is Christmas is a pleasantly surprising gem that is destined to become a cherished holiday favourite in the same league as Nativity! and Love Actually. Despite the poster, title and premise suggesting another disposable Hallmark-like production, the resultant movie is a charming delight from start to finish, benefitting from a winning ensemble cast and a touching message. There are amusing moments, but This Is Christmas does not live and die by its comedy - it's not a frenzied, fast-paced slapstick affair that lurches from comedic set piece to comedic set piece. Rather, the pacing is measured and thoughtful, with strong and considered storytelling, and the movie is first and foremost about the story and its characters. Without a doubt, This Is Christmas is one of the best Christmas movies of the last ten years.

Idealistic advertising executive Adam (Alfred Enoch) undertakes a daily commute on a train from Langton to London for work, and always encounters the same group of passengers with whom he never converses. With Christmas approaching, an unexpected show of support from his fellow commuters towards Dean (Jack Donoghue) during a confrontation with the conductor (Steve Oram) inspires Adam to plan a Christmas party for the Langton to London cohort. Although the idea is immediately met with scepticism, Adam finds a kindred spirit in a chef, Emma (Kaya Scodelario), who volunteers to help plan and organise the party. As the date draws closer, the event motivates the passengers to begin talking and bonding with one another, learning more about these strangers they see on a daily basis.

Scripted by Alastair Galbraith (a long-time television actor), the message at the core of This Is Christmas is simple but worthwhile, underscoring the importance of getting to know people and not passing judgment on strangers. Everybody has their own lives and problems, and some people's personal circumstances might be less than ideal. It also posits that talking to strangers in your lives - such as your neighbours or fellow commuters - might lead to something great. Although This Is Christmas has its flights of rom-com fancy, the victories throughout the story are earned instead of contrived, making the clichés virtually invisible and preventing the narrative from feeling generic. Additionally, the characterisations and relationships that develop throughout the story are engaging, and it's easy to grow to care about this group of people. Most heartwarming is Dean's friendship with Ray (Timothy Spall), an older man with an intriguing past who is poised to spend another Christmas alone.

The immaculate execution separates This Is Christmas from similar productions - it looks thoroughly cinematic despite its meagre budget, with gorgeously slick and colourful visuals, while the story is grounded in reality. Director Chris Foggin (Fisherman's Friends) takes the material seriously, while cinematographer David Mackie likewise brings his A-game to the production. Even though production took place during warmer months, This Is Christmas effortlessly captures the feeling and atmosphere of the festive season; the sense of time and place is authentic, and it never looks like the action is occurring on cheap sets or backlots. The tender original score by Christian Henson (Triangle, Black Death) enhances the picture's emotion and sense of whimsicalness, and it does not lather on the Yuletide-flavoured music, which is refreshing for a Christmas movie. Naturally, a collection of Christmas songs pepper the soundtrack, and the selection is surprisingly thoughtful - it does not feel like the filmmakers chose obvious festive songs for their popularity. The construction of This Is Christmas is anything but slapdash, and it's a shame that the movie did not receive the major theatrical release that it richly deserves.

The casting is flawless across the board, with the endearing Enoch and Scodelario an ideal screen pair who share superb chemistry. More seasoned actors like Spall, Ben Miller and Rebecca Root contribute further gravitas to the production, elevating the material. This Is Christmas is not garishly sentimental or cheesy, nor does it feel like a cheap or nasty Christmas movie that was hurriedly thrown together to take advantage of the festive season. There is a genuine, thoughtful story here with ample relevance and emotional resonance, and it successfully depicts a variety of people during the holiday season of different backgrounds and ethnicities. Christmas is a vast and crowded cinematic arena, but This Is Christmas is worth your attention.

7.9/10