Christmas Through Film
A medium that spreads the holiday spirit to us all
By Cate Tarr, Arts Staff Writer
As I walked into my seminar class a few weeks ago, I was happily bombarded with a “holiday” latte by my friend. She begged me to try it as she explained her excitement for the Christmas season. I agreed enthusiastically, trying the latte as I thought about Abby and the fact that although she is Jewish, she not only participates in but essentially celebrates Christmas.
Today, Christmas is a worldwide phenomenon, extending far beyond the mere 24 hours of Dec. 25 and the religious circles who traditionally celebrate it. Instead, it makes itself known on street corners and grocery stores as early as Nov. 1, extending itself to people of all religions. Cemented in many individuals' minds across the world is the idea of a Christmas spirit, a feeling filled with love, happiness and joy.
But what exactly makes people associate Christmas with love and joy for everyone when only 31% of the world actually celebrates it (Wikipedia, 2020)? I say it is our favorite Christmas movies that give way to this powerful exchange.
By watching a Christmas movie, the effervescent feeling of Christmas can echo through any room and portray a picture of what we tell ourselves the holiday season is meant to look like. In this article, I hope to take you through a tour of the five Christmas films I think do just that.
“Home Alone”
“Home Alone” begins with a chaotic scene of a classic holiday tradition many families can relate to: packing. The entire household, plus extended relatives, prepare for a trip to Paris, but no one seems to be ready. The house is overflowing with shades of red and green while maintaining a traditional style of decor, radiating warmth and selling the feeling of Christmas to the audience (Karpf, 2013). Before you know it, all havoc breaks loose when the youngest, Kevin, is left home alone, while his family sets off to France.
A funny, lighthearted and genuinely entertaining hour ensues while Kevin tries to manage a few days on his own all while attempting to fend off a pair of mischievous thieves. Despite the buoyant plot, the film’s true message lies in something much more meaningful.
As Christmas grows closer, Kevin begins to realize how much he misses his family and how much they mean to him. He understands that although his siblings and his parents annoy him sometimes, he will always love them no matter what, and they are what makes Christmas special.
While once enjoying his time home alone, Kevin is overjoyed when he learns that his family came back to spend Christmas day with him. Ending in an emotional scene of the entire family rejoicing on Christmas day, “Home Alone” embodies the importance of family during Christmas.
“The Grinch”
“The Grinch” is known and loved as a classic holiday film, and for good reason. It is hard not to be enamored by the innocence and joy that characterizes Whoville. When the Grinch attempts to ruin the Whos’ Christmas season, he fails, as he misidentifies what their Christmas is all about.
On Christmas Eve, the Grinch steals everything he perceives as important to a Whoville Christmas: food, presents, decorations and more. On Christmas morning, he waits patiently for the Whos to realize their Christmas has been ruined, however, they instead defy the Grinch’s expectations.
They presume to sing around the town’s central tree as if nothing had been ruined because to them, it had in fact not. The Grinch then realizes that Christmas is not defined by toys, ribbons or feasts, but by the people one cares about. It is at this moment that the Grinch’s heart grows three times in size, and he not only restores the Christmas items he stole but joins the Whos in celebration. Shedding a tear, anyone?
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
This 1946 film extends beyond reminding us what Christmas is all about and instead points to a bigger message of what life is all about. The main character, George Bailey, considers taking his own life on Christmas Eve. George even wishes he had never been born. However, an angel from heaven shows him what his loved ones' lives would have contained had he not lived (Wikipedia, 2020).
A series of small but catastrophically important actions George took throughout his life reveals to have had greater impacts on those around him than he could have ever imagined. George begs his guardian angel for his life back, and he returns to his joyous family to celebrate Christmas Eve. This old classic is one that reminds us not only of the value of life but of the value we as humans bring to it.
“The Holiday “
Christmas romantic comedies are truly an entire category of their own, but if I had to pick a favorite, “The Holiday” is the film that makes the cut. Set in both the English countryside and sunny Los Angeles, “The Holiday” is the perfect Christmas movie to watch if you’re looking for a fresh love story.
Two completely different women, living two completely different lives, both looking for a change. That is what defines the plot, as Kate Winslet’s character, Iris, and Cameron Diaz’s character, Amanda, switch houses and consequently continents over winter break, both in need of a fresh start. Filled with love stories, aesthetically beautiful winter scenes and an engaging storyline, “The Holiday'' never misses.
“Love Actually “
Embedded in the movie poster are the words “Ultimate Romantic Comedy,” a phrase that rings true after watching the magic that is “Love Actually.” The movie gives us ten separate characters that overlap in peculiar ways. The film shows us that there are various ways to find and give love during the holiday season, and each is equally valid.
My favorite storyline involves three characters, a newly married couple and the husband’s best friend, who by the end of the movie, confesses his love to the wife. I am sure you can picture the iconic scene that was produced by this film, in which the best friend proclaims his adoration to the wife at her door. What is memorable is that he does this by holding up signs in which he has written a speech confessing his love. Filled with big romantic gestures, happy ever afters and corny but lovable scenes, “Love Actually” has it all.
Sources:
Karpf, B. (2013, December 12.) #ThrowbackThursday: The Decor of Home Alone. Decorators Best.
Wikipedia contributors (2020, September) It's a Wonderful Life. Wikipedia.
Wikipedia contributors (2020) List of Religious Populations. Wikipedia.